Pacific Standard » Legal Affairs

Modern Marriage: Standing on Ceremony

Amy R. Ramos — Thu, 10 May 2012 00:45:00 +0000

Regarding same-sex marriage, there's less daylight than might be expected between religious conservatives and some LGBT activists.

Modern Marriage: Standing on Ceremony On Pacific Standard -

Rejecting Term Limits for the Supreme Court

Emily Badger — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:11:34 +0000

Political scientists studying the U.S. Supreme Court say the problem isn’t how long justices serve overall but that there’s no short-termers in the mix.

Rejecting Term Limits for the Supreme Court On Pacific Standard -

‘Stand Your Ground’ Stats Point to High Costs

Emily Badger — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 22:54:17 +0000

An Urban Institute examination of U.S. homicides where self-defense was claimed suggests that the possible costs of “Stand Your Ground” laws exceed their benefits.

‘Stand Your Ground’ Stats Point to High Costs On Pacific Standard -

Can Obamacare Win by Losing at Highest Court?

Michael Fitzgerald — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 01:30:08 +0000

Might Obamacare's poor showing today at the Supreme Court offer a silver lining for those who favor expanded access to health care?

Can Obamacare Win by Losing at Highest Court? On Pacific Standard -

Can the Supreme Court Survive a Health-Care Decision?

James L. Gibson — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 18:19:40 +0000

After it rules on the health-care debate and makes other momentous decisions this term, will the U.S. Supreme have sufficient stores of legitimacy to weather the inevitable backlash?

Can the Supreme Court Survive a Health-Care Decision? On Pacific Standard -

Automotive Technology: Convenience vs. Privacy

Paul Vachon — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 11:00:14 +0000

The amazing new communication technologies in cars can greatly enhance the driving experience, but they may compromise privacy.

Automotive Technology: Convenience vs. Privacy On Pacific Standard -

When Extreme Animal Rights Activists Attack

Sue Russell — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 21:56:54 +0000

Lawmakers, researchers, and peaceful activists all say they deplore violence committed in the name of animal rights. But laws that may label some protesters as “domestic terrorists” are upsetting activists.

When Extreme Animal Rights Activists Attack On Pacific Standard -

Study: More Black Juveniles Sentenced to Life Without Parole

Lewis Beale — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:16:03 +0000

As the U.S. Supreme Court gets ready to examine life without parole for juvenile killers, a new study identifies the racial and sociological backstories of the existing prisoners.

Study: More Black Juveniles Sentenced to Life Without Parole On Pacific Standard -

‘Orcas as Slaves’ Argument Sinks

Michael Todd — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:33:27 +0000

An effort to identify five performing orcas as slaves failed in part, argues one scholar, because there's no legal precedent establishing them as persons.

‘Orcas as Slaves’ Argument Sinks On Pacific Standard -

A Perennial Epicenter, Now for Same-Sex Marriage

S.G. Streshinsky — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:00:52 +0000

San Francisco City Hall embodies the thrill of wedded bliss while it endures the fallout over Prop. 8

A Perennial Epicenter, Now for Same-Sex Marriage On Pacific Standard -

Prop 8 May Be Same-Sex Couples’ Least Worry

Ryan Blitstein — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:55:00 +0000

A family law professor explains why differences between states over gay marriage may lead to a deluge of court cases.

Prop 8 May Be Same-Sex Couples’ Least Worry On Pacific Standard -

Five Orcas, Five Slaves or Five Persons?

Sue Russell — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:16:04 +0000

PETA’s lawsuit on behalf of five orcas at SeaWorld could end in a splash or a belly flop for animal rights.

Five Orcas, Five Slaves or Five Persons? On Pacific Standard -

Lowering Flags of Convenience for Fish Poachers

Michael Scott Moore — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:00:39 +0000

New international measures to end fish poaching on the high seas would enforce laws where the poacher calls, not where their ships are registered.

Lowering Flags of Convenience for Fish Poachers On Pacific Standard -

Supreme Court Messes With Texas, Voting Rights

Justin Levitt — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 23:19:46 +0000

There is a way the U.S. Supreme Court can extract some sense out of a wildly politicized Voting Rights Act it heard Monday, argues a prominent redistricting specialist.

Supreme Court Messes With Texas, Voting Rights On Pacific Standard -

California’s Medical Marijuana Morass

David Freed — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 12:00:33 +0000

In Northern California, where the drug laws can change with the mile markers, a supplier of medical marijuana risks going one toke over the (county) line.

California’s Medical Marijuana Morass On Pacific Standard -