Monthly Archives: November 2012

The United States Supreme Court heard arguments in a pair of cases yesterday that could affect how police dogs are used to detect drugs in people’s homes and vehicles. The rulings, expected by next summer, could go a long way toward helping small-time users avoid the cold, wet nose of the law. In one case, Florida v. Jardines, the court considered whether law enforcement officers bringing a drug-sniffing dog onto the porch of a private home without a warrant constitutes …

On Nov. 6, millions of American voters will be assisting in what is nothing short of a travesty of justice. Not based on who they will vote for, but on the fact that they are voting at all — for judges. In 39 of the 50 United States, certain judges obtain or retain their positions by popular election. On its face, it may seem perfectly reasonable. Why shouldn’t judges be held accountable for their decisions? Why isn’t a judicial election …

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit on Oct. 23 said Indiana could not enforce a 2011 state law that barred abortion providers – including Planned Parenthood – from receiving any state or federal funds. It would have stripped all Medicaid funding from any health care provider that provides abortion services, among many others. The appellate court barred enforcement of the law, based on Planned Parenthood’s objection that the state defunding law violates a federal Medicaid law that …

After narrowly avoiding what could have been a tragic follow up to the Aurora theater shootings this summer, Maryland is considering new laws to keep firearms out of the hands of potentially dangerous people. The state is in the midst of panel discussions about whether it should modify its rules on accessibility to guns for people with mental illnesses. The panel comes in the wake of the arrest of Neil Edwin Prescott, who allegedly told his boss over the phone …