Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court announced on Saturday that it was abolishing flogging as a form of punishment, as part of reforms aimed to advance human rights in Saudi Arabia. These reforms follow “unprecedented international criticism” that Saudi Arabia received in 2019 for its human rights record, which included 184 executions, 84 of which were for [...]
The US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ruled Tuesday that Michigan is allowed under the Twenty-first Amendment to impose separate regulations on out-of-state alcohol retailers. This includes a ban on direct alcohol shipments to consumers. Michigan recently amended its Liquor Control Code to allow in-state retailers to deliver directly to consumers through state-licensed [...]
US Attorney General William Barr said in an interview on Tuesday that the Department of Justice (DOJ) might consider taking legal action against states that go too far in restrictions to stop the spread of COVID-19. When faced with “a potential catastrophe,” the government can deploy measures and put temporary, reasonable restrictions on rights if [...]
A judge for the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida entered a temporary injunction on Friday that halts the sale of an unproven, “potentially dangerous” coronavirus treatment product. The Department of Justice (DOJ) alleged that Genesis II Church of Health and Healing sold a product called Miracle Mineral Solution, which was sold [...]
The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit said on Tuesday that the US District Court for the District of Columbia could not hear a lawsuit by the families of American victims of of a 2002 suicide bombing. The circuit court found that the district court lacked personal jurisdiction. The families of [...]
Voting rights advocates filed a lawsuit in North Carolina’s Wake County Superior Court on Wednesday, challenging the implementation of the ExpressVote electronic voting machines in Mecklenburg County and several other counties. The ExpressVote machine has a touchscreen interface or movable keypad for voters to select their choice. Voters have to insert a piece of blank [...]
Utah Governor Gary Herbert issued an executive order on Thursday that requires adults entering the state to disclose their travel plans. This is part of the state’s continued efforts to track and mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Individuals 18 years or older will have to fill out a travel declaration form that they receive via [...]
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Wisconsin filed suit in the Wisconsin Supreme Court on Friday, seeking the release of the elderly and vulnerable from state prisons to prevent the outbreak of COVID-19. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of two incarcerated individuals with pre-existing conditions, state criminal defense lawyers and Disability Rights Wisconsin. [...]
Several gun rights groups filed a lawsuit on Thursday in the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts that challenges the decision of Massachusetts Governor Charles Baker to close all businesses selling firearms and ammunition to the public. Baker issued COVID-19 Order No. 13 on March 23, which closed the physical workplaces of all [...]
National nonpartisan legal advocacy group Free Speech for People published a guide on Tuesday that outlines four legal and policy changes states should make to ensure a “safe, accessible, and trustworthy election” during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although some states have already postponed primary elections, Free Speech for People stressed that “elections—the foundation of our democracy—must [...]
