Vermont

Vermont Bar Association Stands Firm on Rule of Law, Advocates Strong Legal Principles

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Montpelier, VT – The Vermont Bar Association (VBA) is taking a firm stand in support of the rule of law and the fundamental principles of justice that undergird the U.S. legal system. This move comes at a time when the legal community across the nation is increasingly voicing concerns over threats to judicial independence and impartiality. In a recent press conference, representatives of the VBA highlighted several initiatives designed to reinforce these principles. These include educational programs aimed at better informing the public about the structure of the legal system, and how laws are formulated, … Read more

Vermont Court Upholds Noncitizen Voting Rights in Burlington School Elections, Dismissing Conservative-Led Lawsuit

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Burlington, Vermont — A Vermont Superior Court judge has dismissed a lawsuit aimed at preventing noncitizens from voting in local elections within Burlington. Judge Samuel Hoar, Jr. of the Chittenden County Superior Court rendered the decision on February 6, ruling against a case put forth by the nonprofit Restoring Integrity and Trust in Elections, which represented Burlington residents Karen Rowell and Michele Morin. In the lawsuit filed on June 18, plaintiffs argued that noncitizen voting in school board and educational budget elections is unconstitutional under the Vermont Constitution’s Section 42. This section traditionally interprets citizenship … Read more

Lawsuit Claims Vermont Child Welfare Agency Unlawfully Targeted Pregnant Woman to Seize Newborn

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MONTPELIER, Vt. — A recent lawsuit alleges that the Vermont Department for Children and Families (DCF) manipulated concerns about a pregnant woman’s mental health as a pretext to secretly investigate and ultimately gain custody of her newborn daughter immediately after her delivery in February 2022. The American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont and Pregnancy Justice, a national advocacy organization, have teamed up to file the complaint against DCF, a local counseling center, and the hospital involved. According to the legal documents, the state of Vermont has been accused of engaging in the routine surveillance of … Read more

Judge Dismisses Lawsuit from Pro-Palestinian Student Group Against University of Vermont Over Campus Encampment

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BURLINGTON, Vt. — A legal case involving a student group at the University of Vermont advocating for Palestinian rights has come to a close with the federal court ruling in favor of the university. The group, Students for Justice in Palestine, faced suspension after organizing a 10-day encampment on the university’s campus last spring, an act deemed by campus officials as a violation of multiple school policies. The student group contended that their suspension infringed upon their First Amendment rights, prompting a lawsuit against the institution. However, on December 20, Judge William Sessions dismissed the … Read more