Federal

Panel of Appeals Judges Weigh Whether Former President Trump Can Be Prosecuted for His Efforts to Overturn the 2020 Election: A Closer Look at the Federal Court Arguments

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Arguments were heard in federal court in Washington on Tuesday to determine whether former President Trump can be prosecuted for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election prior to leaving the White House. Trump and his legal team contended that he has absolute immunity, as he was acting in his official capacity as president. They also argued that he cannot be prosecuted for matters in which he was impeached by the House but acquitted by the Senate. The 45-page indictment, released in August by special counsel Jack Smith, placed Trump at the … Read more

Federal Judge Rules in Favor of Government in Controversial Aurora Marijuana Grow Operation Forfeiture Case

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AURORA, Colo. – A federal judge recently ruled that an Aurora couple who used their home to illegally grow marijuana must surrender the property to the government. The judge concluded that this forfeiture does not violate the constitutional provision against excessive fines. The U.S. Department of Justice filed a petition in 2019 to take possession of the couple’s home, located in the 23000 block of East Wagontrail Avenue in Aurora. Law enforcement had previously discovered 828 marijuana plants being grown at the residence, along with evidence of illegal electricity diversion. Jia Bao Yao, the individual … Read more

Federal Judge Dismisses Ex-County Clerk’s Lawsuit to Block Prosecution in State Court

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GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – A federal judge has dismissed a case filed by former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters, who sought to prevent District Attorney Dan Rubinstein from prosecuting her in state court. The decision comes just a month before Peters’ criminal trial is scheduled to begin. In her civil lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Denver, Peters claimed that Rubinstein, along with Colorado Attorney General Jena Griswold and U.S. Attorney Merrick Garland, violated her constitutional rights by investigating and charging her with alleged crimes. The lawsuit also requested a preliminary injunction to halt … Read more

Former State Legislator Faces Second Trial on Corruption Charges: Federal Prosecutors Seek Conviction

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Traverse City, Michigan – Former state legislator Larry Inman is being retried by federal prosecutors on corruption charges. Prosecutors made their second attempt on Monday to convince jurors of Inman’s guilt, alleging that he attempted to exploit his position for personal gain. The trial centers around accusations that Inman, during his time in office, sought to extort campaign contributions from a Michigan-based labor union in exchange for his vote. The previous trial ended in a hung jury, with the jury unable to reach a verdict. Prosecutors are determined to sway the jury this time around, … Read more