What's a $1,000 fine to a billionaire?

The News Fix Fines don’t deter Donald Trump. A New York judge held the former president in criminal contempt this week, levying another $1,000 fine for violating his gag order. This is the 10th time that Judge Juan Merchan has fined Trump during the “hush money” trial, in which Trump is charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records […]
Victor J. Blue - Pool/Getty Images

When coal miners can't breathe, getting compensation is an uphill legal battle

Sep 2, 2020
In his new book, journalist Chris Hamby describes miners' struggles to receive the health benefits they've been promised.
A coal worker near Welch, West Virginia, in 2017. Miners who are stricken with black lung disease often face obstacles in their efforts to receive benefits.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Many states still suspend driver's licenses for unpaid fines that are not related to driving

Sep 25, 2019
In some states, like Florida, government agencies depend on fines to make up budge shortfalls.
tellumo/Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Court TV is coming back. It was gone, you say?

Dec 10, 2018
Court TV has been off the air for 10 years now.
Court TV has been off the air for 10 years.
Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Investors finance lawsuits for potentially big returns

Nov 22, 2018
The practice of advancing portions of expected personal injury settlements to plaintiffs draws scrutiny from states.
WeissPaarz.com/Flickr

Top German court gives cities a green light for diesel restrictions

Feb 27, 2018
Germany’s top administrative court today ruled that cities can now ban older diesel vehicles from high-pollution areas. Before Volkswagen’s emissions cheating scandal a few years ago, more than half of the new cars sold in Europe had diesel engines. They’ve been losing market share ever since, and today’s ruling only hastens the decline of diesel. That’s […]

Bankruptcy shields GM from some liability cases

Apr 16, 2015
A judge says GM can't be sued over defective switches in cars sold pre-bankruptcy.

For public good, not for profit.

5 tips to succeed in small claims court

Jun 28, 2013
Small claims court is a system designed to help people resolve their disputes over money. Here's what you should know to win your case.

Opus Dei battles game-maker in court

Dec 20, 2012
A squabble between Opus Dei, the exclusive Catholic organization, and a small Danish game-maker, has ended up in court. At issue is a card game.