The Texas Supreme Court on Thursday upheld Governor Greg Abbott’s order limiting jail release during the COVID-19 pandemic. The challenge before the court centered around Abbott’s order, issued in March, that cited the COVID-19 pandemic emergency and suspended state laws and rules of criminal procedure that would normally allow judges to release inmates on personal [...]
The US Supreme Court released its decision on Thursday in the case of Barton v. Barr, which was argued last fall and concerned a green-card-holder’s eligibility to have his deportation cancelled. The court held that Barton, a Jamaican national who was a lawful permanent resident in the US for more than 30 years, was ineligible to [...]
The US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit held Wednesday that the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) does not have to comply with a list of COVID-19 protection measures from a lower court’s ruling last week because it is already complying with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and the lower [...]
The US Supreme Court ruled Thursday in County of Maui v. Hawaii Wildlife Fund that a permit is required from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) whenever there is a direct discharge from a point source into navigable waters or when there is the “functional equivalent of a direct discharge.” The central issue in the case [...]
US House leaders and the Office of Attending Physician (OAP) on Wednesday announced safety protocols for votes on Thursday. The memo urged House members to use extreme care and deliberation when making the determination to travel to Washington, DC, and recommended teleworking for all Congressional offices. In all cases, members and staff must maintain six-foot [...]
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 [...]
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that Chipotle Mexican Grill agreed on Tuesday to pay a $25 million fine and enter a deferred prosecution agreement to resolve foodborne related illness outbreak charges. “This case highlights why it is important for restaurants and members of the food services industry to ensure that managers and employees [...]
The US Senate on Tuesday approved a new $480 billion coronavirus relief bill that includes additional funds for small businesses and hospitals short of supplies. This bill follows a $2 trillion stimulus that Congress passed on March 25. This stimulus provided low-interest loans to small businesses along with corporate bailouts and $1,200 to eligible-to-work Americans [...]
The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled Tuesday that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) should take into account pulp mill toxins such as mercury, dioxin and more in setting emissions standards. The lawsuit between the Louisiana Environmental Action Network and the EPA was hinged primarily on whether it was “necessary” [...]
