President-elect set to shape 'Trump judiciary' for next generation
Legal experts predict President-elect Donald Trump will move quickly next year to cement and extend his legacy in appointing federal judges.
legal affairs
'Guilty But Mentally Ill' Doesn't Protect Against Harsh Sentences
Jurors often are reluctant to acquit someone who committed a crime while mentally ill, or to find that person guilty. So they take a third option: guilty but mentally ill. It's far from perfect.
The Man Who Argued Health Care For Obama Looks Back As He Steps Down
The day after Solicitor General Donald Verrilli announced he was stepping down, he sat down with NPR's Nina Totenberg to reflect on his five years as the government's chief advocate.
Nursing Home Evictions Strand The Disabled In Costly Hospitals
Federal rules mostly prohibit nursing homes from refusing to readmit residents after a hospital stay. But states rarely enforce the regulations. Some California families are now suing the state.
Former Judge Urges Obama To Commute Sentence He Imposed A Decade Ago
Following the law, Paul Cassell sentenced Weldon Angelos to a 55 years in prison for dealing marijuana and possessing weapons. Cassell said the case was "one of the most troubling" he ever faced.
New Pardon Chief In Obama Justice Department Inherits A Huge Backlog
Veteran Philadelphia prosecutor Robert Zauzmer is heading up a key priority in the final year of Obama's presidency. He tells NPR he has seen too many unfair sentences levied for low-level offenders.
Obama Administration Says House Bill Would Give 'Cover' To White-Collar Defendants
A bipartisan bill to overhaul the criminal-justice system has hit a snag. Its higher bar to prove guilt is something the Department of Justice says could benefit top-level executives.
Poor Criminal Defendants Face 'Too Many Barriers' To Get Lawyers, Says DOJ
The criminal justice system can be difficult to navigate, and without a lawyer, it's even harder. Yet the government says it's still too difficult for poor defendants to get representation.
Supreme Court To Take Up Another Challenge To Obamacare
The justices said Friday they would hear a challenge brought by faith-based groups that contend the government's exemptions on birth control do not go far enough to accommodate them.
An Explicit Contract Makes Surrogacy Viable For An Oregon Woman
Carrying a child for someone unable to become pregnant can be a legal and ethical minefield. In Oregon, lenient laws and strict contracts have made surrogacy a more appealing option for women.