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The case challenges the constitutionality of drone strikes that killed three U.S. citizens in Yemen in 2011. Government lawyers seeking to dismiss the case said the courts essentially have no role in drone-strike decisions.

Sen. Patrick Leahy is asking the Justice Department to clarify its policy on state marijuana laws that clash with stricter federal rules. Leahy's been seeking answers ever since Washington and Colorado voters approved marijuana for recreational use last year.

Royce Lamberth, the retiring judge who led the secret Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court from 1995 to 2002, says he has no regrets when he talks about that court's business. In his view, another attack, in some form or other, is inevitable.

In the aftermath of a Supreme Court ruling last year, advocates worry that jurisdictions are quietly making changes to disenfranchise minorities. A training program is designed to counter that.

Thompson has been named acting head of the Office of Legal Counsel, which approves executive branch legal arguments on armed drones, surveillance and other national security issues.

Former prisoners spoke about the effects of solitary confinement Tuesday in a congressional hearing aimed at banning it for some inmates. Solitary confinement is also extremely expensive, critics say.

In an interview, Eric Holder says he's open to talking with Edward Snowden about terms of surrender. The attorney general is unhappy with the vote to block a nominee to a top Justice Department post.

Longtime followers of the pardon power have criticized President Obama's relatively stingy approach over five years in office. An advocate for ending mandatory minimum sentences says she's "really encouraged" by the new push for clemency.

Virginia Seitz, who led the influential Justice Department office that offers legal advice on surveillance, drones and other issues, resigned after 2 1/2 years on the job.

Next week marks the anniversary of a landmark Supreme Court decision that says defendants facing substantial jail time deserve legal representation in state courts, even if they can't afford it. Now, many lawyers say the system for providing defense attorneys for the poor is in crisis.