Mar 23 Watch 6:32 How the First Amendment affects your specialty license plate By PBS News Hour Does the state of Texas have the right to issue specialty license plates featuring a Confederate flag? Marcia Coyle of The National Law Journal fills in Gwen Ifill on the case being argued at the Supreme Court, as well as… Continue watching
Jan 20 Watch 5:58 Case on judges’ campaign fundraising divides Supreme Court By PBS News Hour The Supreme Court heard a case that could unravel state laws on judicial candidates asking for campaign donations. Marcia Coyle of The National Law Journal joins Judy Woodruff to explain the arguments in the Florida case, take a look at… Continue watching
Dec 01 Should threatening speech be protected on Facebook? By Sam Hananel, Associated Press The justices will hear arguments Monday in the case of a man who was sentenced to nearly four years in prison for posting graphically violent rap lyrics on Facebook about killing his estranged wife, shooting up a kindergarten class and… Continue reading
Aug 09 Watch Art or evidence? After appeal, court rules violent rap lyrics not a confession By PBS News Hour In a ruling that could have national implications, the New Jersey State Supreme Court unanimously agreed that Vonte Skinner's rap lyrics should not have been admitted at a murder trial, ruling that those graphic lyrics weren't sufficient evidence to prove… Continue watching
Aug 09 New Jersey court strikes down murder conviction based on violent rap lyrics By Saskia de Melker, William Brangham This week, the New Jersey State Supreme Court overturned, by a vote of 6-0, the attempted murder conviction of an aspiring rapper and small-time drug dealer named Vonte Skinner, arguing that the extensive reading of Skinner’s violent rap lyrics during… Continue reading
Jun 29 Rapper appeals verdict after lyrics used to sway jury By Saskia de Melker, William Brangham The case against Vonte Skinner hinged primarily on two eyewitnesses, though their stories had changed several times. Near the end of the trial, the prosecution introduced 13 pages of violent rap lyrics to demonstrate Skinner’s motive and intent to commit… Continue reading
Jun 26 Watch Justices rein in presidential appointment powers and rule out abortion clinic buffer zones By PBS News Hour Continue watching
May 05 Watch Supreme Court upholds right to pray at town meetings By PBS News Hour In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court ruled Monday that local governments have the right to open town meetings with prayer — even if the prayer is explicitly of one denomination. Gwen Ifill gets an overview of the case from… Continue watching
May 05 Supreme Court decision allows prayer at government meetings By Associated Press The court said in 5-4 decision Monday that the content of the prayers is not critical as long as officials make a good-faith effort at inclusion. Continue reading
Apr 02 Watch Supreme Court cites changed political landscape in decision lifting campaign finance limit By PBS News Hour The Supreme Court struck down overall limits on political contributions, meaning individuals are now allowed to give the maximum contribution to as many candidates or political committees as they wish. The Court was split in a 5-4 decision, with the… Continue watching