Articles Posted in Constitutional Law

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal Partially Strikes Down President Trump’s Effort to Withhold Federal Funds from Sanctuary Cities Updated: Published by:

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeal has ruled against President Trump's Executive Order punishing sanctuary cities. Read the full opinion on Justia.

Transgender Florida High School Student Allowed to Use Men’s Restroom Updated: Published by:

A federal judge has struck down the policy of a high school in Ponte Vedra Beach, which had required an 18-year-old student to use a gender-neutral bathroom. The judge found that the policy was unjustified because the student did not threaten the safety or privacy of other students. Thus, the…

Ninth Circuit Panel Holds Unconstitutional a School Board Prayer Policy Updated: Published by:

In a per curiam (unsigned) opinion, the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit held on Wednesday that the policy and practice of the Chino Valley Unified School District Board of Education to include a prayer in a portion of school board meetings that is open to the public and…

Federal Judge’s Ruling Allows Emoluments Case Against Trump to Move Forward Updated: Published by:

On Wednesday, a federal judge ruled against President Trump’s latest attempt to hinder a lawsuit that discusses Trump’s alleged violation of the U.S. Constitution through his continued business transactions with foreign governments. The ruling was made by U.S. District Judge Peter J. Messitte and will enable the plaintiffs, the attorneys…

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit Rules That the Second Amendment Grants the Right to Carry Guns Openly Outside the Home Updated: Published by:

On Tuesday, July 24, 2018, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in a 2-1 ruling held that the Second Amendment grants the right to carry guns openly outside the home. With three federal appeals courts having found no right to carry guns openly in public, the…

Federal Judge Rules Philadelphia Adoption Agencies Cannot Discriminate Against Same-Sex Parents Updated: Published by:

In May, the City of Philadelphia announced that it was suspending foster care placements at Catholic Social Services (CSS) and Bethany Christian Services after reports showed that the agencies refused to place children with same-sex couples. Doing so was in violation of the city’s Fair Practices Ordinance. While Bethany agreed…

Federal Court Rules That Revoking Driver’s Licenses for Non-Payment of Court Fees Is Unconstitutional Updated: Published by:

The law in Tennessee stated that failure to pay court fines and other fees associated with an arrest or imprisonment that lasted more than a year is grounds for taking away a person's driver’s license. The consequences of the law for such individuals means that they will have a more…

California Supreme Court Rules Yelp Cannot Be Ordered to Remove Posts Updated: Published by:

In a 4-3 opinion, the California Supreme Court ruled yesterday that Yelp.com cannot be ordered to remove negative posts against a San Francisco law firm that another judge determined were defamatory. The decision overturns a lower court’s ruling against Yelp, and affirms rules that protect internet platforms from legal liability…

Trump Administration Sued by 18 Attorneys General Over Separation of Families at the Border Updated: Published by:

A group of 18 attorneys general has filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration regarding the separation of families at the border. The Trump Administration’s “zero tolerance” policy has been under strict scrutiny by Democrats as it has resulted in the separation of children and parents. The lawsuit was filed on…

U.S. District Court Judge Rules That Separated Immigrant Children Must be Reunited With Parents Within Thirty Days Updated: Published by:

On Tuesday, June 26, 2018, United States District Judge Dana M. Sabraw of the Southern District of California granted the American Civil Liberties Union's request for a preliminary injunction seeking to reunite children affected by the Trump Administration's "zero-tolerance" immigration policy.