Law

In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court struck down a key provision of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, stating that the legislation was based on now outdated data. The ruling removes the coverage formula that required federal oversight for voting processes in nine states.

On Monday, opening statements began in the murder trial of George Zimmerman. He's the neighborhood watch volunteer in Florida who's accused of killing unarmed teen Trayvon Martin. Zimmerman is charged with second degree murder.

At the Supreme Court on Monday, it was a rough day for working people. In two cases, the justices split 5-4 along ideological lines to make it harder for employees to win discrimination lawsuits. The court raised new hurdles for plaintiffs who claim they're victims of bias and that companies retaliated against them.

The U.S. Supreme Court has struck down a key section of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. In a 5-4 decision, the court said the formula used to identify places that need federal election oversight is unconstitutional. For more, David Greene speaks with NPR's Ron Elving and Carrie Johnson.

Renee Montagne speaks with NPR's Nina Totenberg about the implications of the Supreme Court's ruling, striking down a key provision of the law.

In simpler times, jurors were told not to discuss their cases with others. But with the proliferation of mobile devices, courts must now contend with Facebook, tweets, texts, instant messaging and Google — all tools that can compromise a juror's impartiality.

Opening statements started Monday in the trial of George Zimmerman. He is the neighborhood watch volunteer charged with killing unarmed teen Trayvon Martin.

The Supreme Court issued its decision Monday in Fisher v. the University of Texas, which challenged the constitutionality of the use of affirmative action in college admissions. The court sent the case back to the lower court to apply "strict scrutiny" to the University's admissions policy.

The Supreme Court has sent a high-profile affirmation action case back to the lower courts. The case, Fisher v. University of Texas, concerned the admissions policy at the University of Texas, which uses race as one factor for some slots.

The Supreme Court has issued its ruling on a high-profile affirmative action case concerning college admissions: In a 7-1 ruling, it sent Fisher v. University of Texas back to a lower court. Renee Montagne speaks with NPR's Nina Totenberg.