USA Archive - Law Commentary

A healthcare worker administering a COVID-19 vaccine to a patient at a vaccination site.

With Vaccine Rollout Campaigns Differing State to State, Many Eligible Fall Through the Cracks

Since December, the United States has been slowly rolling out vaccines across states and territories. There have been 95.7 million doses administered with a rough estimate of 2.17 million doses administered per day. The United States has reached a point where it has vaccinated more people than those having tested... Read More about With Vaccine Rollout Campaigns Differing State to State, Many Eligible Fall Through the Cracks

A young man in a suit walking outside a building, possibly in a legal context.

CEO Martin Shrekli Hit with Class Action Lawsuit for Drug Monopoly

The youthful pharmaceutical CEO Martin Shrekli, nicknamed “Pharma Bro”, and “the most hated man in America," has been hit with a class-action lawsuit. Health insurers filed the lawsuit, alleging Shrekli plotted to create a drug monopoly. The insurers are seeking damages to be determined by market overcharges in a trial... Read More about CEO Martin Shrekli Hit with Class Action Lawsuit for Drug Monopoly

A woman walks past a mural of George Floyd, surrounded by memorial items and messages honoring his legacy.

Prosecutors Seek Delay In George Floyd Death Trial, Citing Pandemic Concerns and the Possible Addition of a Third-Degree Murder Charge

Derek Chauvin’s trial for the murder of George Floyd got off to a non-start on Monday, March 8, 2021, when prosecutors filed for a three-month delay. They cited the pandemic and time required to have people vaccinated to reduce health risks as reasons for the delay. They also requested the... Read More about Prosecutors Seek Delay In George Floyd Death Trial, Citing Pandemic Concerns and the Possible Addition of a Third-Degree Murder Charge

U.S. Capitol building surrounded by security fencing on a clear day.

Second Member of Congress Sues Trump for Conspiracy to Incite Capitol Riot

Rep. Eric Swalwell minced no words when he became the second member of the House of Representatives to sue ex-President Donald J. Trump for his “campaign of lies and incendiary rhetoric” that defiled American democracy’s sacred rules for the peaceful transfer of power. Swalwell (D-MD) sued Trump along with his... Read More about Second Member of Congress Sues Trump for Conspiracy to Incite Capitol Riot

Protesters holding signs advocating for sanctuary cities and against immigration enforcement policies.

Supreme Court Dismisses Sanctuary City Cases

On March 4, 2021, the Biden administration requested that the Supreme Court dismiss three pending appeals about Trump’s efforts to withhold law enforcement funds from cities and states that refused to cooperate with immigration authorities during the Trump administration. The Supreme Court dismissed the cases. Lawyers for the jurisdictions challenging... Read More about Supreme Court Dismisses Sanctuary City Cases

A damaged SUV is seen after a collision with a tractor-trailer in California, where 25 immigrants were being smuggled.

SUV Carrying 25 Smuggled Immigrants Entered Through a Hole in the Border Wall

As details continue to emerge about the deadly SUV and trailer truck accident that occurred last week, the California Highway Patrol has confirmed that the 1997 Ford Expedition was packed beyond capacity with 25 individuals as they entered the United States through a hole in the border wall between California... Read More about SUV Carrying 25 Smuggled Immigrants Entered Through a Hole in the Border Wall

A person holding a COVID-19 vaccination record card, displaying vaccination details.

The legality and Consequences of Enforcing a Vaccine Passport

With over 312 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines given to individuals in 106 countries, and a rough rate of 8.08 million doses a day, governments and industries are looking for ways to reopen, restart trade, and resume international travel. While records of vaccinations aren’t an inherent violation of privacy, as... Read More about The legality and Consequences of Enforcing a Vaccine Passport

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West posing together at an event.

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West File for Divorce

On February 19, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. The divorce was filed in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Kardashian is being represented by Laura Wasser, a prominent divorce attorney. According to NBC News Wasser has represented celebrities in divorce court including “the singers... Read More about Kim Kardashian and Kanye West File for Divorce

The exterior of the U.S. Supreme Court building, partially fenced with barbed wire.

Supreme Court Shifts Burden of Clarifying Noncitizens’ Crimes, Despite Ambiguous Statutory Language

As of Thursday, March 4, 2021, noncitizens with criminal records who are hoping to avoid deportation must prove that their crimes aren’t among those that Congress has decreed require mandatory removal from the U.S. Federal laws are often ambiguous, which compounds the problem. Some immigration provisions require the deportation of... Read More about Supreme Court Shifts Burden of Clarifying Noncitizens’ Crimes, Despite Ambiguous Statutory Language

A black and white portrait of a woman with long hair, wearing statement earrings and a button-up shirt, looking thoughtfully at the camera.

AWS Manager Sues Amazon on Claims of Racial Discrimination

An African American Amazon employee has filed a lawsuit against the company alleging she was the target of discrimination and sexual harassment. In her complaint, Charlotte Newman, 38, explains of the tech giant, “Their practices when it comes to hiring and promoting Black people and other underrepresented minorities to high-level... Read More about AWS Manager Sues Amazon on Claims of Racial Discrimination

A group of boys in uniform and hats standing in line, with some wearing yellow neckerchiefs.

Boy Scouts $300 Million Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Plan - Far Too Little, Claimants Say

Last year, nearly 85,000 people came forward as potential sexual abuse victims of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). This large quantity of lawsuits was filed after California, New Jersey, New York and other states expanded the options for childhood abuse victims to file suit. In February of 2020, BSA... Read More about Boy Scouts $300 Million Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Plan - Far Too Little, Claimants Say

Texas Governor Greg Abbott announces the lifting of the state-wide mask mandate and all COVID-19 restrictions.

Texas Lifts Mask Mandate and All Other COVID-19 Restrictions

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has announced that the state-wide mask mandate will be lifted and that businesses can open 100% starting March 2. According to Governor Abbott, “Under no circumstances can a county judge put anyone in jail for not following COVID orders and no penalties can be imposed for... Read More about Texas Lifts Mask Mandate and All Other COVID-19 Restrictions

Hands in handcuffs, symbolizing legal consequences related to fraud.

SoCal Hospice Administrator Sentenced After Medicare Fraud

80-year-old hospice administrator Antonio Olivera has been sentenced to 30 months behind bars for his involvement in a Southern California hospice fraud scheme. Between 2011 and 2018, Olivera admitted that he was one of several officials who “paid illegal kickbacks to patient recruiters for the referral of hospice beneficiaries to... Read More about SoCal Hospice Administrator Sentenced After Medicare Fraud

Former President Donald Trump waving as he exits a helicopter.

Supreme Court Allows DA Access to Trump’s Tax Returns, Opening Door to Criminal Trial for Former President

A new Supreme Court stay instructs attorneys to hand over numerous years of former President Donald Trump's tax returns and financial records to New York prosecutors. The decision to allow the long-hidden finances of Trump is the result of an eighteen months-long legal battle. The former president’s attorneys fought to... Read More about Supreme Court Allows DA Access to Trump’s Tax Returns, Opening Door to Criminal Trial for Former President

A man and a woman walking together surrounded by media cameras outside a courthouse.

Mother of Ahmaud Arbery Files Lawsuit Against Glynn County Police Officials

The mother of Ahmaud Arbery has filed a civil lawsuit against several individuals after her son was gunned down in Glynn County, Georgia, last year. The lawsuit comes exactly one year after Arbery died. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia, naming... Read More about Mother of Ahmaud Arbery Files Lawsuit Against Glynn County Police Officials