Latest Courts News

California's new mental health court rolls out to high expectations and uncertainty

Oct. 02, 2023 00:14 AM EDT

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — An alternative mental health court program designed to fast-track people with untreated schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders into housing and medical care — potentially without their consent — kicked off in seven California counties, including San Francisco, on...

The justices are taking the bench Monday at the Supreme Court for the first time since June

Oct. 02, 2023 00:04 AM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The justices are taking the bench at the Supreme Court for the first time since late June. Their new term is beginning Monday with ethics concerns swirling around the court. The only case being argued Monday concerns the meaning of the word “and” in a federal...

Donald Trump says he will be in courtroom for New York trial scrutinizing his business practices

Oct. 01, 2023 22:53 PM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — With control over some of his most prized real estate holdings in jeopardy, former President Donald Trump says he will make a rare, voluntary trip to court Monday for the start of a civil trial in a lawsuit that has already resulted in a judge ruling that he committed fraud in his...

Grant program for Black women entrepreneurs blocked by federal appeals court

Oct. 01, 2023 19:41 PM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — A grant program for businesses run by Black women was temporarily blocked by a federal appeals court in a case epitomizing the escalating battle over corporate diversity policies. The 2-1 decision by the Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily...

The Supreme Court's new term starts Monday. Here's what you need to know

Oct. 01, 2023 07:58 AM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court seems a bit quieter than in recent years, as the justices begin a new term. Major cases await, as they always do, including several challenges to regulatory agencies and efforts to regulate social media platforms. But nothing yet...

Who is Arthur Engoron? Judge weighing future of Donald Trump empire is Ivy League-educated ex-cabbie

Oct. 01, 2023 00:11 AM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — He’s driven a taxi cab, played in a band and protested the Vietnam War. As a New York City judge, Arthur Engoron has resolved hundreds of disputes, deciding everything from zoning and free speech issues to a custody fight over a dog named “Stevie.” Now, in the...

Man accused of locking a woman in a cell in Oregon faces rape, kidnapping charges in separate case

Sep. 30, 2023 21:03 PM EDT

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A man accused of abducting a woman in Seattle, driving her hundreds of miles to his home in Oregon and locking her in a makeshift cinder block cell is facing fresh charges of kidnapping and rape in a separate case involving alleged crimes two months earlier, court documents...

Disney, DeSantis legal fights ratchet up as company demands documents from Florida governor

Sep. 30, 2023 16:21 PM EDT

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The legal fights between Disney and Gov. Ron DeSantis ratcheted up this week. The Florida governor asked that the company's First Amendment lawsuit against him be tossed from federal court, and Disney demanded emails, texts and other communications from the...

Judge blocks 2 provisions in North Carolina's new abortion law; 12-week near-ban remains in place

Sep. 30, 2023 14:59 PM EDT

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A federal judge on Saturday blocked two portions of North Carolina's new abortion law from taking effect while a lawsuit continues. But nearly all of the restrictions approved by the legislature this year, including a near-ban after 12 weeks of pregnancy, aren't being...

Police scuffle with electoral court justices in Guatemala as prosecutors seek to seize vote tallies

Sep. 30, 2023 13:54 PM EDT

GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — Policemen shoved and wrestled with justices of Guatemala’s top electoral tribunal Saturday, as prosecutors sought to seize the tally sheets of votes from the August presidential elections. There were harrowing scenes of justices holding tight to boxes, as...