Current Legal Battles

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L.A. Teacher Arrested for Molestation; Union Allegedly Protected His Pension

City: 
Los Angeles, CA
Date: 
02/01/2012

A veteran Los Angeles teacher has been arrested on multiple charges of child molestation allegedly occurring inside the classroom. Meanwhile, radio reports indicate that the teacher’s union arranged for him to resign—even after the discovery of shocking pictures involving his students—so that he could collect a generous pension from taxpayers.

Supreme Court’s Indecision Leaves Schools, Students Unsure of Speech Rights

City: 
Washington, D.C.
Date: 
01/18/2012

The U.S. Supreme Court yesterday stoked the fires of a hot free speech debate—without
even taking a case or issuing a decision. The Court did so by choosing not to hear appeals in two cases that
reached contradictory conclusions about the authority of public school officials to punish students for online,
off-campus speech.

In two consolidated cases originating out of Pennsylvania, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals held that school
officials could not punish students for degrading their principal on a social networking site. At the same time,

New Bill Would Allow Boys to Play on Girls Teams, Share “Facilities”

City: 
Sacramento, CA
Date: 
01/09/2012

Less than a week after California’s gay history mandate went into effect, a new pro-LGBT bill introduced last week promises to stir even more controversy.

Big Labor Unions Push for Marriage Redefinition

City: 
Boston, MA
Date: 
01/05/2012

As the curtain rises on 2012 and millions of Americans turn their attention to the New Hampshire primaries, a blockbuster legal battle brewing just to the south is expected to burst on the scene later next year in a way that could sway the election.

7 Bold Predictions for Constitutional Liberty in 2012

City: 
Sacramento, CA
Date: 
12/27/2011

No one can predict the future, right? Maybe not, but we can make bold prognostications based on years of experience and closely watching trends in the legal world. With that in mind, Pacific Justice Institute offers the following predictions of constitutional and religious liberty headlines in 2012.

2011: Our Best Year Yet!

City: 
Sacramento, CA
Date: 
12/19/2011

– To many, 2011 will be remembered as a dismal trudge through layoffs, fiscal crises and budget cuts. Non-profits like Pacific Justice Institute took a heavy hit as well, cutting many staff to part-time status and literally pinching pennies. So why would PJI consider 2011 one of the best in its 14-year history?

“Great outcomes,” said Brad Dacus, the president of PJI. “In spite of the hardships, our staff continues to go above and beyond, and it’s paying off in a huge way.” Dacus pointed to several legal victories in the past year that he considers some of the firm’s best work.

2011 Left Coast Hall of Shame

City: 
Sacramento, CA
Date: 
12/12/2011

As we look back on 2011, Pacific Justice Institute remembers ten of the year’s worst developments for religious, constitutional and parental rights in its 2011 Left Coast Hall of Shame.

1. San Juan Capistrano shuts down home Bible study. A Southern California city founded by a religious mission fined a Bible study group for meeting in a home. After PJI intervened, the city backed down.

Press Conference Tuesday By StopSB48 Coalition To Announce New Ballot Initiative

City: 
Sacramento, CA
Date: 
12/05/2011

The coalition behind the recent StopSB48 referendum effort will be holding a press conference on Tuesday, December 6, at 3:00 p.m. outside the California Department of Justice in Sacramento to announce the filing of a new ballot initiative. The proposed Children Learning Accurate Social Science (CLASS) Act will be submitted on Tuesday to the California Attorney General’s Office for official title and summary. That process is expected to stretch into January, after which signature-gathering can begin.

Boycott the Bell-ringers, Gay Activists Say

City: 
New York, NY
Date: 
12/02/2011

As Christmas shoppers flock to stores this weekend, the familiar sights and sounds of Salvation Army bell-ringers with red kettles will prompt many to toss in their coins and remember the less fortunate. But not everyone is in a giving mood.

Unions Could Face Backlash Over “Occupy” Involvement

City: 
Sacramento, CA
Date: 
11/22/2011

As some labor unions express support for and seek to associate with “Occupy” protests around California, critics warn that they may risk losing members turned off by recent protest tactics.