courts Archives - Northwest Public Broadcasting

Idaho asks judge to rethink temporary block on abortion ban

By Mary Ellen Pitney September 22, 2022

Old Ada County Courthouse. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons Read BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Attorneys for the state of Idaho say a federal judge misinterpreted the law when he blocked… Continue Reading Idaho asks judge to rethink temporary block Read More

Judge Strikes Down Federal Eviction Moratorium, Setting Up High-Stakes Appeal

By NPR News May 5, 2021

Protesters call for stronger eviction protections in January in Sacramento, Calif. A federal appeals court will now decide whether to scrap a federal eviction moratorium from the CDC. Housing groups say renters need more time to qualify for and get rental assistance money. CREDIT: Rich Pedroncelli/AP

A federal judge has issued a sweeping ruling that would revoke a pandemic eviction moratorium put in place by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Continue Reading Judge Strikes Down Federal Eviction Moratorium, Setting Read More

Derek Chauvin Files For New Trial In George Floyd Murder Case

By NPR News May 4, 2021

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of murder and manslaughter on April 20 in the 2020 death of George Floyd. Minnesota Department of Corrections/AP

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin who was convicted last month of murdering George Floyd filed court documents for a new trial on Tuesday. Continue Reading Derek Chauvin Files For New Trial In George Floyd Murder CaseRead More

Testimony Ends Without Derek Chauvin Taking The Stand In His Trial

By NPR News April 15, 2021

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin tells the judge on Thursday he will not testify on his own behalf in his trial over the death of George Floyd. His attorney, Eric Nelson, is seen at left. Court TV/Pool via AP

Testimony ended Thursday in the murder trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. The defendant said he will not testify in his defense in the trial and would invoke his Fifth Amendment right. Continue Reading Testimony Ends Read More

Idaho Lawmakers Advance Bill Seeking To Nullify Federal Actions, Expect Court Challenge If Passed

By NWPB News April 6, 2021

Idaho Republican state Rep. Sage Dixon addresses the House State Affairs Committee, April 6, 2021. The committee approved legislation intended to give Idaho lawmakers veto power over federal government actions and federal court decisions. CREDIT: Keith Ridler/AP

An Idaho House panel on Tuesday approved legislation intended to give lawmakers veto power over federal government actions and federal court decisions. The House State Affairs Committee on a voice vote sent the bill to the full House for possible amendments after the bill’s sponsor, Republican Rep. Sage Dixon, said it needed several changes. Read More

Criminal Defendants In Limbo As Trials Put On Hold During Pandemic

By PBS Newshour May 22, 2020

Interior of an empty courtroom with gavel and sounding block on the desk.

When the coronavirus pandemic shut down courtrooms around the country, criminal defense attorneys had to quickly figure out how to continue to serve their clients. Over the last two months, a combination of factors have delayed court proceedings, leaving criminal defendants in limbo as they wait for their stalled cases to move forward. Read More

Washington Supreme Court Denies Prisoners’ Request For Release Over Coronavirus Fears

By NWPB News April 24, 2020

Debra Stephens, Chief Justice of the Washington state Supreme Court, appears on a TV livestream of court proceedings, April 23, 2020, as the Court hears oral arguments in a case that addressed the safety of prison inmates during the coronavirus outbreak.

The justices, in a 5-4 decision, said that the prisoners who had sued failed to show that the Department of Corrections was not properly addressing the risk of COVID-19. Continue Reading Washington Supreme Court Denies Read More

Washington Has A New State Supreme Court Justice: Judge Helen Whitener

By Austin Jenkins April 13, 2020

Pierce County Superior Court Judge Helen Whitener has been appointed to an open seat on the Washington Supreme Court.

Helen Whitener, who is originally from Trinidad, is believed to be only the second Black justice -- and the first Black woman -- to ever serve on the state’s high court, according to a spokesperson for the Supreme Court. Continue Reading Read More

Supreme Court Allows States To Virtually Eliminate The Insanity Defense

By NPR News March 24, 2020

The U.S. Supreme Court in Washington. CREDIT: Patrick Semansky/AP

By a 6-to-3 vote, the court essentially allows consideration of mental status only at sentencing. Dissenters accuse the majority of abandoning centuries of Anglo-American law. Continue Reading Supreme Court Allows States To Virtually Read More

Debra Stephens Elected As New Chief Justice Of Washington Supreme Court

By NWPB News November 7, 2019

Justice Debra Stephens speaks from the bench during a Washington Supreme Court hearing in Olympia, Wash. On Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019, Stephens was elected by her fellow members of the state Supreme Court to be the new chief justice. CREDIT: Ted S. Warren/AP

Stephens, 54, will replace current Chief Justice Mary Fairhurst, who announced last month she will retire from the high court in January to focus on her health as she fights a third bout of cancer. Continue Reading Debra Stephens Elected Read More

Judges Ask ICE to Make Courts Off Limits To Immigration Arrests

By NPR News December 13, 2018

The Association of Legal Aid Attorneys along with dozens of unions, immigrant rights organizations, and community groups held a rally on December 7, 2017 at Brooklyn Borough Hall to call on the Office of Court Administration and Chief Judge Janet DiFiore to prohibit Immigration & Customs Enforcement agents from entering state courthouses, and to end coordination with ICE. Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images

For 25 years, schools, hospitals and places of worship have effectively been off-limits to federal immigration officers. Now, a group of dozens of former state and federal judges is asking U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to add courthouses to the list of "sensitive locations" where their officers generally do not go. Read More

Washington State Supreme Court Strikes Down Death Penalty

By NWPB News October 11, 2018

Washington State Supreme Court building in Olympia. CREDIT: TONY OVERMAN

The Washington state Supreme Court struck down the state’s death penalty Thursday, Oct. 11, and converted all death sentences to life in prison. Continue Reading Washington State Supreme Court Strikes Down Death PenaltyRead More