Law

Books

Trial To Start In Apple Price-Fixing Dispute

10:23am June 03, 2013

by Jim Zarroli

Apple appears in court Monday to face civil accusations by the Justice Department that it illegally conspired to fix e-book prices with other publishers. The government last year accused Apple of conspiring with five major publishers to raise prices for electronic books — something the government says has cost consumers many millions of dollars.

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Former Deputy Attorney General James B. Comey waits to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee in Washington on May 15, 2007. NPR has learned that Comey is in line to become President Obama's choice as the next FBI director.

Former Justice Official In Line To Be Named FBI Chief

6:25am May 30, 2013

by Carrie Johnson

Two sources familiar with the search for a new director of the agency tell NPR that James B. Comey is in line to succeed outgoing chief Robert Mueller. Comey was the No. 2 official at the Justice Department in the George W. Bush administration.

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Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, has proposed cutting three seats from a key D.C. appeals court.

Senators Tussle Over Proposal To 'Unpack' Key D.C. Court

10:47am May 29, 2013

by Carrie Johnson

GOP Sen. Charles Grassley has floated legislation that would cut three seats from the important D.C. Circuit appeals court — just as President Obama prepares to announce his nominees for those jobs. The court is now evenly balanced with four appointees each from Republican and Democratic presidents.

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National

Alimony Till Death Do Us Part? Nay, Say Some Ex-Spouses

8:30am May 28, 2013

by Jennifer Ludden

A year after Massachusetts ended lifetime alimony, groups in a number of states are pushing similar legislation. They say alimony laws are outdated, based on a time when most women didn't work. But family lawyers say the proposals would punish those who've sacrificed their own career to help a spouse advance.

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National

Tough Arizona Sheriff Gets Judicial Reprimand

1:19pm May 25, 2013

In Arizona, a federal judge ruled against the Maricopa County Sheriff's Department, saying it used racial profiling to enforce the state's tough immigration laws. Host Scott Simon talks with NPR's Ted Robbins about the ruling.

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Nearly 30 years ago, Congress gave terminally ill inmates and prisoners with extraordinary family circumstances an early way out, known as compassionate release.

National

Sick Inmates Dying Behind Bars Despite Release Program

12:54pm May 24, 2013

by Carrie Johnson

Federal prisoners can request compassionate release if they are terminally ill, but a recent investigation found that many die while their requests drift through the system. Now, prison leaders say they will simplify the approval process and start tracking requests electronically.

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An employee handles marijuana at Perennial Holistic Wellness Center, a medical marijuana dispensary, in Los Angeles.

Go East, Young Marijuana Dealer

6:40pm May 22, 2013

by Marianne McCune

A San Francisco dealer quadrupled his income by moving to New York after California legalized medical marijuana.

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National

FBI Shoots And Kills Man Tied To Boston Bombing Suspect

6:40pm May 22, 2013

The man, Ibragim Todashev, had known one of the suspects in the Boston Marathon bombings. Agents were apparently interviewing him overnight when things turned violent.

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Why Urban Dictionary Comes In Handy On The Witness Stand

4:31pm May 22, 2013

The use of slang in court proceedings can be tricky, especially in criminal cases where an uncommon slang term used by a witness can make a difference in a case. New York Times tech reporter Leslie Kaufman and law professor Greg Lastowka talk about how judges and lawyers have turned to sites like Urban Dictionary to help define slang terms and the legal implications of the trend.

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Court Rules Vacation Rental Site Illegal In New York

9:29am May 22, 2013

by Ilya Marritz

In New York, a judge has dealt a setback to Airbnb, the popular website for short term apartment rentals. The judge ruled an Airbnb user violated a New York City law when he rented a room to a visitor from out of town. The judge's decision casts doubt on New Yorkers' ability to make use of the site legally.

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