A 30-year-old California law that makes it a crime to file a knowingly false complaint against a police officer, and requires those who file complaints to be told they could face charges under the law, violates freedom of speech by deterring people from reporting police misconduct, the state Supreme Court ruled Monday.

The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals held Friday that tribal officials are not shielded by qualified immunity as to a state enforcement action seeking damages against them, in their personal capacities.

The appeal came from Kim Davis, a former Kentucky county clerk who repeatedly refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Justice Amy Coney Barrett in her new book described marriage as a ‘fundamental right’ protected by the Constitution.

(Subscription required) Los Angeles' public defense network faces a chain of strain as the Alternate Public Defender's Office declines dozens of homicide cases, forcing private conflict panel attorneys and the county budget to absorb the impact.