law

Financial Advisors Fight For Their Right to Rip You Off

Hamilton Nolan · 06/13/14 10:10AM

If you have ever needed a clear, simple demonstration of the fact that the financial advisory industry is, to a large extent, a hustle designed primarily to soak you for as much money as possible, here it is.

Bigoted Old Fart Can't Faze These Women Getting Married

Adam Weinstein · 06/12/14 10:45AM

Two longtime partners joined Milwaukee's parade of recent newlyweds Wednesday afternoon, and not even a grumpy old curmudgeon trying to block their nuptials could put a damper on the courthouse ceremony.

J.K. Trotter · 06/02/14 11:38AM

The Supreme Court rejected an appeal filed by New York Times reporter James Risen in which he argued that he should not be forced to testify in a case against former C.I.A. operative Jeffrey Sterling, who is suspected of leaking classified information to Risen. It it not yet clear, Risen’s lawyer said, whether federal prosecutors still intend to seek Risen’s testimony.

Why You Should Be Careful What You "Like" on Facebook

Michelle Dean · 04/17/14 12:45PM

Looking to sue a corporation? Quick, check your Facebook interests. The New York Times reports today that now your innocent thumbs-up on a brand on Facebook—or the downloading of a coupon—could limit your right to your day in a proper court.

Scalia, in Brooklyn, Says He Can't Judge Hate or the NSA

Tom Scocca · 03/28/14 05:17PM

Antonin Scalia, the longest-serving active justice of the Supreme Court, has a great deal of charm at his disposal, in person. From a distance, it’s easy to imagine Scalia as a sort of aloof, smoldering demon, throwing cruel barbs at popular notions about justice and progress. Yet he is dear friends with Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Only White People Support the Death Penalty

Hamilton Nolan · 03/28/14 11:53AM

In a month that has seen the exoneration of both the world's and our nation's longest-serving death row inmates, it is worth asking: where the hell does all the support for the death penalty come from? The answer may not surprise you.

Court Rules That Encouraging Suicide Is Legal

Hamilton Nolan · 03/20/14 10:07AM

William Melchert-Dinkel (pictured), a former nurse in Minnesota, served a year in prison for encouraging two people (who did commit suicide) to commit suicide. Yesterday, the state supreme court said that what he did was not a crime.

Ark. Judge Says "Sluts Are Just Whores In Training," and Other Stuff

Adam Weinstein · 03/07/14 04:44PM

Mike Maggio is a judge in Arkansas. He is also a big LSU fan. He is also the commenter geauxjudge on an LSU fan site, and he posts some peachy comments there about sluts, gays, minorities, rodeo sex fantasies, and this one time he presided over Charlize Theron's son's adoption.

More Evidence That Texas Wrongfully Executed a Man

Hamilton Nolan · 02/28/14 12:13PM

In 2004, the state of Texas executed Cameron Todd Willingham for the crime of setting fire to his own house, killing his three children. Today, evidence is stronger than ever that his conviction was a miscarriage of justice.

Sarah Hedgecock · 02/26/14 02:30PM

A federal judge has declared the Texas law banning gay marriage unconstitutional, although a stay has been issued to keep the law in place for the time being.