The US District Court for the Western District of Missouri on Thursday ruled that a law requiring a couple applying for a marriage license to sign it in the presence of the recorder of deeds is unconstitutional. The law was challenged by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on behalf of five fiancées whose marriage [...]
Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Saturday said that Pakistan should hold former military ruler Pervez Musharraf accountable for alleged human rights abuses upon his return to the country. Musharraf is expected to return to Pakistan on Sunday to be a candidate in upcoming parliamentary elections, ending a four-year self-imposed exile. A judge on Friday granted [...]
In his weekly address released Saturday, US President Barack Obama urged Congress to pass the gun control legislation currently awaiting their votes. Current bills include the Protecting Responsible Gun Sellers Act , which would require background checks for all private gun sales; the School Safety Enhancements Act , which would renew a grant to help [...]
The North Dakota House of Representatives approved legislation on Friday that bans abortion by defining life as beginning at conception. The legislation, known as the personhood measure, passed by a vote of 57-35 . The North Dakota Senate approved the measure in February. To become law, the personhood measure needs to be approved by voters, [...]
The Kansas House of Representatives Committee on Federal and State Affairs on Friday voted to advance HB 2111 , a bill which would allow the open carry and transport of firearms around the state. The language of the bill currently prohibits cities and counties from restricting individuals from carrying firearms: No city or county shall [...]
Utah Governor Gary Herbert vetoed a bill on Friday that would have allowed people to carry an unloaded, concealed gun without a permit. Utah state representative John Mathis (R) , the lead sponsor of the bill , said that the bill would simply allow citizens who openly carry unloaded weapons to put a coat or [...]
Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper on Thursday signed the “Colorado Civil Union Act,” which will allow civil unions for same-sex couples in the state. The legislation explicitly provides same-sex couples with many of the benefits held by married couples, including dependent insurance coverage and the ability to adopt a partner’s child. It goes on to provide [...]
The US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ruled Thursday that Maryland can require concealed-carry handgun permit applicants to provide a “good and substantial reason” for wanting to carry a gun outside the home. The three-judge panel unanimously overturned a 2012 district court ruling finding that the requirement violated the Second Amendment . In [...]
JURIST Guest Columnist Alba Morales, a researcher with Human Rights Watch, argues that indigent defendants are not receiving proper instructions regarding their right to counsel, a problem leading to uneducated plea bargains…
A Louisiana judge ruled on Thursday that a state law banning felons from possessing firearms is a violation of the State Constitution . The ruling cited a constitutional amendment that was passed last year through referendum, making the right to bear arms a fundamental right in Louisiana. The Orleans Parish public defenders office challenged the [...]
