Only in America does a search and seizure violation automatically result in exclusion of the evidence. Adam Liptak has this story in the NYT.

Rehearing Petition in Child Rape Case: Louisiana has filed a rehearing petition in Kennedy v. Louisiana, the case in which the Supreme Court held that the death penalty for the rape of a child was unconstitutional. AP story here.

Felons Demand Gun Rights: In the wake of the Heller decision striking down blanket gun bans, felons are alleging their right to own guns for self-defense. According to Mark Sherman's AP article, some criminal defense attorneys argue that their clients, convicted felons, may be more in need of weapons for self-defense and that the restrictions on gun ownership for people convicted of certain crimes is unconstitutional.

Immigration Courts Overwhelmed: In LA County, a single immigration judge had 44 cases on the docket in one day, and another judge had 1600 active cases when he retired. Similar issues have arisen in courts nationwide. According to Anna Gorman's LA Times report, a deficit of attorneys and judges is making it difficult to process the increasing number of immigrants arrested, making immigration enforcement all but impossible.

Violent Crime Victim's Struggle Continues: Opponents of harsh sentencing for repeat offenders often paint a rosy picture of the possibilities of the alternatives to prison, but John Christoffersen and Susan Haigh's AP story is a stark reminder of the permanent damage caused by habitual criminals.