A court largely denied Officer Jacob Goforth’s motion to dismiss claims against him stemming from his involvement in a bizarre traffic stop. The stop culminated in the baptism of Shandle Riley (the plaintiff in this case) by Hamilton County Deputy Daniel Wilkey.
In a friend-of-the-court brief filed with the U.S. Supreme Court, BJC is defending the right of public school students to participate fully in extracurricular activities without religious pressure by teachers or coaches.
In Ramirez v. Collier, the Supreme Court found in favor of a prisoner who asked that his pastor be present in the execution chamber, lay hands on him, and pray audibly in his final moments. The Court said the state was not likely to meet its burden under RLUIPA to demonstrate that the regulation barring such activities was necessary to achieve its safety interests.
During the third day of her Supreme Court confirmation hearing, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson was asked about the importance of the free exercise of religion by two members of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Day two of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation hearings included questions on topics related to religious liberty and the role of faith in making judicial determinations.
A new law in Ohio guarantees the right of students who participate in athletics to wear religious apparel during competition without the need to obtain a waiver or otherwise receive permission in advance.