The United States Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision, recently ruled on the scope of universal injunctions issued by federal courts. The case stemmed from legal challenges to an executive order issued by President Trump concerning birthright citizenship. However, the Court's majority opinion, authored by Justice Amy Coney Barrett, did not address the constitutionality of the executive order itself. Instead, the ruling focused on the authority of federal courts to issue nationwide blocks against government policies. The Court determined that such universal injunctions likely exceed the equitable authority historically granted to federal courts, emphasizing that relief should generally be tailored to the specific plaintiffs involved in a case. This decision impacts how future challenges to executive actions may be litigated, requiring lower courts to reconsider the breadth of their injunctions and allowing 30 days for President Trump's birthright citizenship order to take effect, absent further legal action.

Read the full opinion of the Court online.

   

The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland marked its 120th Founders Day on June 12, recognizing individuals who consistently support its mission of providing access to justice. The organization has significantly expanded since 2005, growing from 55 to 145 staff members, including 75 lawyers. This expansion has fueled a 44% increase in clients and cases served, with Legal Aid handling 9,700 cases annually. This enhanced capacity directly helps more people stay in their homes, manage their finances, and ensure personal and family safety. Check out the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland's website for additional information on services, volunteer sign-ups, and giving opportunities.

   

The Supreme Court of Ohio has launched Resources for the Bench, a new online collection of bench cards, guides, and toolkits to help judges, lawyers, and the public navigate Ohio's legal system. These resources cover various topics from remote hearings to domestic violence protections, offering accessible summaries of Ohio statutes and court decisions to enhance understanding and support courtroom decision-making.

To learn more about this valuable initiative, check out Court News Ohio for additional details.

   

An Ohio Supreme Court task force has reviewed local courts' diversion of juveniles. It recommends the courts formalize their practices when redirecting juveniles to intervention services before an initial court appearance. Diversion is an informal alternative that redirects youths away from involvement in the juvenile justice system to address the root cause of delinquent behavior. This could be caused by food and housing insecurity, joblessness in the home, inadequate educational resources, and unmet mental health needs. By examining the root causes, juveniles are still held accountable for their behavior without the court system imposing any formal legal sanction or confinement. There is research that shows that youth who are formally involved with the juvenile justice system and those who spend time in detention are far more likely to engage in criminal activities as adults. To create written guidelines for the diversion process, a survey of juvenile court judges conducted for the task force indicates that 49% have written criteria for these practices, and 35% have written procedures for notifying victims when a juvenile is diverted at this stage.

Check out the full report and recommendations on the Supreme Courts website.

   

The 22nd edition of The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation now includes rules for citing Tribal law. This addition, spearheaded by a group of law librarians, helps standardize how legal professionals cite Tribal Nations and their legal materials, including treaties. This change is a significant step toward recognizing Tribal Nations as sovereign entities and promoting the study and use of Tribal law in legal education and practice.