All articles tagged with #constitutional violation
A federal judge in Washington struck down President Trump's executive order targeting the law firm Susman Godfrey, ruling it unconstitutional and preventing its enforcement. This decision is part of a series of rulings that have opposed Trump's efforts to penalize law firms representing groups opposing him, affirming the importance of legal independence and the rule of law.
Attorneys for Sean 'Diddy' Combs have accused federal prosecutors of violating his constitutional rights by seizing personal notes from his jail cell, which they claim include privileged attorney-client material. The notes were obtained during a pre-planned sweep of prison facilities and are alleged to suggest Combs attempted to influence witnesses. His lawyers have requested an evidentiary hearing to address the issue, questioning the authorization and handling of the search. Combs, who faces charges including sex trafficking and racketeering, has pleaded not guilty.
The Arkansas Supreme Court has upheld the procedural vote that allowed Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders' education overhaul to take effect immediately, rejecting a judge's ruling that questioned the fast-tracking of state laws. The court's decision has no impact on the already effective education law, which includes a school voucher program, increased teacher salaries, and restrictions on classroom instruction regarding sexual orientation and gender identity. Opponents argued that the Legislature violated the state constitution, but the court ruled that the emergency clause for the law was passed in compliance with the constitution. Governor Sanders celebrated the ruling, while critics expressed concerns about government accountability.
The Mississippi Supreme Court has struck down a provision of House Bill 1020, a law targeting Jackson's majority-Black population, that would have allowed the chief justice to appoint four unelected "temporary" judges to the Hinds County Circuit Court. The court ruled that this provision violated the state constitution and deprived Jackson residents, who are 80% Black, of their right to vote for judges. However, the court upheld another provision of the law that creates a new court system with an unelected judge in the Capitol Complex Improvement District. A separate federal lawsuit challenging multiple aspects of the law is ongoing.
The Mississippi Supreme Court has ruled that the state legislature's attempt to create four unelected special circuit court judges in Hinds County is unconstitutional. The court upheld the creation of a single inferior court in Jackson's Capitol Complex Improvement District. The justices agreed with resident plaintiffs' argument that the creation of these unelected judges violated the state's constitution, which requires circuit judges to be elected. However, the court emphasized that the chief justice has the authority to appoint temporary special judges in cases of emergencies or overcrowded dockets.