Supreme Court Sidesteps Alabama Death Penalty IQ Case in 5-4 DIGMay 21, 2026Legal NewsThe Supreme Court's 5-4 DIG in Hamm v. Smith bars Alabama from executing Joseph Smith but leaves Atkins v. Virginia exposed to future challenge.
Alabama Jury Convicts Mother of Concealing Son’s Death in FreezerMay 21, 2026VerdictsAn Alabama jury convicted Karen Halstead of abuse of a corpse for concealing her son Logan's remains in a chest freezer; the trial judge acquitted her of manslaughter.
Supreme Court GVR in Alabama Redistricting Case Revives Gerrymandered MapMay 19, 2026Legal NewsThe Supreme Court's GVR in Allen v. Caster vacates special-master remedial maps and sends Alabama's redistricting case back to a lower court, leaving the legislature's challenged map in place for 2026.
Supreme Court Vacates Alabama VRA Remedy, Remands Under CallaisMay 19, 2026Legal NewsThe Supreme Court vacated Alabama's court-ordered VRA remedial map and remanded under Louisiana v. Callais, threatening to restore a GOP-drawn map for 2026 elections.
DOJ Wire-Fraud Case Against SPLC Draws Expert SkepticismMay 18, 2026Legal NewsDOJ charged the SPLC with wire fraud and money laundering over informant payments. Legal experts question whether the theory can survive pretrial scrutiny.
SPLC Enters Not Guilty Plea on Federal Fraud ChargesMay 17, 2026Legal NewsThe SPLC pleaded not guilty May 8 to 11 federal counts of wire fraud and money laundering tied to a covert paid-informant program in white supremacist groups.
Supreme Court Order Restores Struck-Down Alabama Map, Forcing Special PrimaryMay 15, 2026Legal NewsThe Supreme Court vacated the injunction blocking Alabama's 2023 congressional map, forcing a special primary mid-cycle and raising stakes for Voting Rights Act enforcement across the South.
Eleventh Circuit Requires Bond Hearings for Long-Term Interior DetaineesMay 15, 2026Legal NewsThe Eleventh Circuit ruled 2-1 that interior immigrants are not "seeking admission" and must receive bond hearings, joining the Second Circuit against the Trump detention policy.
Supreme Court Reinstates Alabama’s VRA-Blocked Map Before May PrimaryMay 15, 2026Legal NewsThe Supreme Court's 6-3 unsigned order revives Alabama's VRA-blocked 2023 congressional map days before the May 19 primary, remanding under Louisiana v. Callais.
Alabama Jury Convicts Elkmont Man on Four Child Sex CountsMay 15, 2026VerdictsA Limestone County, Alabama jury convicted Dakota Lee Vaughn on four counts of child rape and sexual abuse in the 39th Judicial Circuit Court on May 14, 2026.