Federal Court Finds Employer Failed to Appreciate the Gravity of Employee’s Lunar Moon Religious Observation (US)

A recent decision from the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Johnson v. York Academy Regional Charter School, reminds employers of their obligation to meaningfully participate in the process of identifying reasonable accommodation of their employees’ religious beliefs.

Monik Johnson was employed by a charter school as a business manager. Many years into her employment, Ms. Johnson began observing the Lunar Sabbath, which required her not to work on the day of the New Moon, which … Read the rest

Missouri man appeals death sentence after attorneys failed to press jury foreman’s bias

Missouri man appeals death sentence after attorneys failed to press jury foreman’s bias

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The Petitions of the Week column highlights some of the cert petitions recently filed in the Supreme Court. A list of all petitions we’re watching is available here.

People held in state prison can turn to federal court to challenge the validity of their conviction or sentence. But they face a high bar in doing so: They have to convince a federal trial judge that their state conviction or sentence was “unreasonable,” and if they fail in that … Read the rest