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state courts state of justice

March 31, 2026

State of Justice: March 2026 Cases in the Courts

Executive Power and Civil Liberties   Alabama     Jennings v. Smith   The Alabama Supreme Court ruled that a state law allowing police officers to stop and question people they reasonably suspect of criminal activity…

state courts state of justice

March 31, 2026

State of Justice: March 2026 Vacancies and Elections Updates

Vacancies Shortlist forwarded to Hawaii Gov. Josh Green for chief justice vacancy  Hawaii Gov. Josh Green (D) announced the five finalists the Judicial Selection Committee sent him to fill the chief justice vacancy left by Mark…

state courts state of justice

March 31, 2026

State of Justice: March 2026 Ethics Update

Kentucky House won’t act on impeachment petitions against Supreme Court justice, school official  Kentucky House lawmakers are ending impeachment proceedings against state supreme court Justice Pamela Goodwine. After Justice Goodwine was elected to the Kentucky Supreme Court…

state courts state of justice

February 28, 2026

State of Justice: February 2026 Keep Your Eyes On

Alaska  Alaska Supremes want input on how to fix Grand Jury rights controversy  In Alaska, the grand jury’s rights to investigate and indict public officials for corruption or wrongdoing are hotly…

state courts state of justice

February 28, 2026

State of Justice: February 2026 Cases in the Courts

Consumer Protection  Washington  Scott v. Amazon.com, Inc.  A unanimous Washington Supreme Court overturned a lower court ruling that dismissed wrongful death lawsuits against Amazon for advertising a series of products in conjunction…

state courts state of justice

February 28, 2026

State of Justice: February 2026 Vacancies and Elections Updates

Vacancies Gov. Polis fills a vacancy on the Colorado Supreme Court Justice Melissa Hart retired from the Colorado Supreme Court on January 5, 2026. To fill Hart’s seat on the…

state courts state of justice

February 28, 2026

State of Justice: February 2026 Ethics Updates

Illinois Supreme Court sued over the removal of state judge   In December 2025, the Illinois Supreme Court temporarily filled vacancies with retired judges on the Cook County Circuit Court through December 2026. One…

state courts state of justice

January 31, 2026

State of Justice: January 2026 Keep Your Eyes On

Alabama Alabama Supreme Court considers whether police can demand ID  The Alabama Supreme Court is reviewing Pastor Michael Jennings’ case against the city of Childersburg and the Childersburg police. Jennings was watering his…

state courts state of justice

January 31, 2026

State of Justice: January 2026 Cases in the Courts

Criminal Justice  Colorado  In re People v. Camp and In re People v. Simons  The Colorado Supreme Court ruled that municipalities may not impose sentences pursuant to their own criminal codes that…

state courts state of justice

January 31, 2026

State of Justice: January 2026 Vacancies and Elections Updates

Vacancies  Delaware Supreme Court justice will retire in July  Justice Karen Valihura notified Gov. Matt Meyer (D) that she will not seek reappointment for her seat on the Delaware Supreme Court. Valihura’s last…

state courts state of justice

January 31, 2026

State of Justice: January 2026 Ethics Update

In October 2025, a Louisville attorney who is also a local Republican Party official filed an impeachment petition against Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Pamela Goodwine. The complaint alleges that Goodwine should have…

state courts state of justice

June 30, 2025

State of Justice: June 2025