Second phase of the BP civil trial begins, with each side arguing how much oil was spilled.  (NY Times) All you ever wanted to know about the Antideficiency Act, a law enacted in the late…

New Jersey judge rules that state is unconstitutionally denying federal benefits to same-sex couples.  (New Jersey) Court rules that a judge may not moonlight as a comedian. (NY Daily News) Egyptian court orders a ban…

The Senate Judiciary Committee approves a law defining what constitutes a “real” reporter; shielded journalists would be entitled to certain legal protections, such as being allowed to refuse to testify about sources.  (Christian Science Monitor)…