USA Archive - Law Commentary

A sheriff in uniform standing in front of the Pasco County Sheriff's Office emblem.

Pasco County Sheriff Faces Lawsuit for Targeting ‘Criminals’ Before They Commit a Crime

A Pasco County Sheriff's Office is under scrutiny after Sheriff Chris Nocco implemented what he deemed to be “intelligence-led policing.” The Sheriff who spearheaded this futuristic police practice came under fire after the Tampa Bay Times broke the news detailing the harrowing accounts of residents in Pasco County who suffered... Read More about Pasco County Sheriff Faces Lawsuit for Targeting ‘Criminals’ Before They Commit a Crime

Cover of the Dr. Seuss book "And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street."

Six Dr. Seuss books taken out of print due to concerns about racism

March 2nd of every year, which happens not coincidentally to be the birthday of children’s author Dr. Seuss, is Read Across America Day. The connection is clear: at least two generations of American children cut their reading teeth on Green Eggs and Ham, One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue... Read More about Six Dr. Seuss books taken out of print due to concerns about racism

A woman places flowers at the entrance of a massage spa in Atlanta as a memorial for the victims of a recent shooting spree.

Authorities Investigate Motive Behind Atlanta Shooter Rampage

State and federal officials are continuing to piece together the details of a shooting spree that targeted three Asian massage spas in the Atlanta area. The shooter who has been identified as 21-year-old Robert Aaron Long shot and killed eight individuals, with at least four of the individuals killed having... Read More about Authorities Investigate Motive Behind Atlanta Shooter Rampage

Image of a jail cell interior with two beds, visible bars, and minimal furnishings, highlighting the conditions faced by correctional officers.

Justice Department sues Mobile, Alabama, Sheriff’s Office with Title VII Violation Lawsuit

Earlier this month, the Department of Justice filed a complaint against the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office and the Mobile County Sheriff, Sam Cochran, alleging repeated sexual harassment inflicted on female correctional officers by inmates the officers were forced to patrol. The extent of the harassment, as argued in the lawsuit,... Read More about Justice Department sues Mobile, Alabama, Sheriff’s Office with Title VII Violation Lawsuit

A doctor in a white coat engaging in a telemedicine consultation using a tablet in an office setting.

Telehealth Regulations and Requirements During a National Emergency

Telemedicine, or the distribution of health services through the use of technology, is drastically changing the way physicians deliver care. By making long-distance communication possible, telemedicine has increased access to healthcare for many populations, including rural communities that may not be located near hospitals. As COVID-19 cases continue to rise,... Read More about Telehealth Regulations and Requirements During a National Emergency

Home Depot store exterior with signs and products displayed outside.

Home Depot Agrees to Pay $20.75 Million Penalty for Failure to Follow Lead Paint Laws

The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) jointly announced a nationwide settlement of $20.75 million by Home Depot USA Inc. in a lead paint practices lawsuit. The settlement is the highest civil penalty paid in history under the Toxic Substance Controls Act. The lawsuit alleged... Read More about Home Depot Agrees to Pay $20.75 Million Penalty for Failure to Follow Lead Paint Laws

A man wearing a face mask and a brown leather jacket stands in a brightly lit indoor space.

Criminal Investigation Possible Against Governor Cuomo Amid Multiple Charges of Sexual Harassment

An alleged incident involving Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and a female aide could lead to criminal charges. The Albany Police Department was informed by the New York State Police and the governor’s office about the alleged incident. According to Steve Smith, a spokesman for the Albany police, the woman has... Read More about Criminal Investigation Possible Against Governor Cuomo Amid Multiple Charges of Sexual Harassment

A man with braided hair and a beard, wearing a white shirt, looks into the camera with a subtle smile against a neutral background.

Wrongly Convicted and Jailed Man Suing Hertz Over Lost Alibi Receipt in Murder Case that Resulted in Five Years in Prison

After spending five years in prison for a murder he did not commit, Herbert Alford, 47, was set free. Alford, who was convicted in 2016 of second-degree murder, is now suing Hertz car rental over a lost receipt that proved his alibi. Alford spent five years in prison without the... Read More about Wrongly Convicted and Jailed Man Suing Hertz Over Lost Alibi Receipt in Murder Case that Resulted in Five Years in Prison

An elderly woman and a caregiver wearing masks engage in a meaningful conversation in a nursing home setting.

Host of New Laws Proposed to Reform Nursing Home Safety in New York

Many Americans first learned about COVID-19’s lethal threats by watching news reports about rampant deaths in New York, especially in nursing homes. The tragedy foreshadowed the horror that would soon spread throughout the nation until one-third of all the 536,000 U.S. coronavirus deaths took place in elder care facilities. Now,... Read More about Host of New Laws Proposed to Reform Nursing Home Safety in New York

A man and woman stand in front of a vehicle displaying a poster of Kendrick Johnson, expressing their grief and determination to seek answers about his death.

Kendrick Johnson’s Death Reopened after 13 Years of Unanswered Questions

After eight years of more questions than answers, the case of Kendrick Johnson will officially be reopened after the teen's death over 13 years ago. Georgia’s Lowndes County Sheriff Ashley Paulk has confirmed that his office will reopen the investigation after it recently received long-sought-after documents. The death of Kendrick... Read More about Kendrick Johnson’s Death Reopened after 13 Years of Unanswered Questions

President Joe Biden signing a document at a desk with the presidential seal.

President Biden’s Legacy $1.9 Trillion Stimulus Plan Offers Multiple New Checks for Americans & Much More

When President Joe Biden released his eagerly awaited new stimulus package on March 11, millions of unemployed, hungry, and otherwise financially stressed Americans pored over every detail. Though the new bill mirrored some of the primary, less-funded ideas of the 2020 version, this stimulus bill was super-sized and represented a... Read More about President Biden’s Legacy $1.9 Trillion Stimulus Plan Offers Multiple New Checks for Americans & Much More

A young boy wearing a mask is seen behind a metal grid, highlighting the conditions faced by unaccompanied minors at the U.S. southern border.

Unaccompanied Minors Strain U.S. Resources as Border Crisis Surges

In an unprecedented wave, thousands of migrants are flocking to the southern border as they seek entry into the United States. The transition in leadership and immigration policies have come together to create a crisis with record numbers of border encounters and an alarming influx of unaccompanied minors. What is... Read More about Unaccompanied Minors Strain U.S. Resources as Border Crisis Surges

Joe Biden speaking during an event, wearing a mask, with a chandelier in the background.

Biden Administration to Review Definition of “Public Charge”; Supreme Court cases regarding Trump’s rule dismissed

The Trump administration had issued a rule that penalized lawful immigrants for seeking public assistance. Last week, the Supreme Court dismissed several pending appeals over that rule pursuant to joint requests filed by the Biden administration and plaintiffs that challenged that policy. Acting Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar told the justices... Read More about Biden Administration to Review Definition of “Public Charge”; Supreme Court cases regarding Trump’s rule dismissed

A prescription bottle for hydroxychloroquine labeled for COVID-19 treatment, with pills spilled around it on a counter.

Americans File for Compensation after COVID-19 Treatment and Vaccine Injury

Steve Cicala is the first person to file a COVID-19 related claim with the Countermeasure Injury Compensation Program (CICP). This relatively new program which operates under the Health and Human Services department is roughly 10 years old. It currently holds roughly $30 billion in compensation for individuals who file successful... Read More about Americans File for Compensation after COVID-19 Treatment and Vaccine Injury

Image of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo speaking, gesturing with his hand.

As Governor Cuomo Faces Possibility of Impeachment, How Presidential VS. Gubenatorial Impeachments Differ

On the heels of a stunning national nursing home deaths scandal, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo now seems headed for impeachment for sexual harassment. Faced with twin scandals, both Democrats and Republicans are calling for his impeachment. In New York, this would be the first impeachment in more than a... Read More about As Governor Cuomo Faces Possibility of Impeachment, How Presidential VS. Gubenatorial Impeachments Differ