According to analyzed data from records released under the Freedom of Information Act, the Justice Department has increased its usage of electronic devices by 64 percent since 2009, reports TriCities.com. The DOJ stated that citizens’ civil liberties are not at stake and court approval is necessary for such surveillance. Critics, however, claim the process to obtain warrants is too easy and devoid of meaningful court review.

U.S. Attorney Ed Stanton of Memphis and other federal prosecutors spoke to students at the University of Mississippi School of Law about sex trafficking in America, the Commercial Appeal reports. The attorneys discussed the difficulty in prosecuting trafficking cases and effective ways for prosecutors to ensure violators receive longer prison sentences with no parole.

Students from 12 high schools located in the 10th Judicial District will get to hear three state Supreme Court cases as participants in the Supreme Court Advancing Legal Education for Students (SCALES) program on Oct. 5. Funded by the Frist Foundation’s Ansley Fund, the program will bring more than 1,000 students and teachers to Tennessee Wesleyan College in Athens. After hearing arguments in actual cases there, the students will take part in a question and answer session with the participating attorneys. Read the full press release at TNcourts.gov.

Chancellor Carol McCoy ruled Wednesday that Tennessee’s voter ID law does not violate citizens’ constitutional rights, the Tennessean reports. The judge’s ruling dealt a blow to challengers of the legality of such laws. The state’s constitution gives legislators rights to enact laws to “secure the freedom of elections,” McCoy noted during the hearing. Although opposing attorneys cited the constitution's requirement for citizens only to be of legal age and have proof of residency and voter registration in order to vote, McCoy stated "voting procedures have evolved over the years."  George Barrett, who represented the city of Memphis and two other women from the Memphis area, was seeking an injunction to let residents vote in November without proof of ID, a requirement he contends is burdensome.

Nashville attorney Mark Ellmore died Friday (Sept. 21) at the age of 54. A native of Covington, Ind., Mr. Ellmore had operated his own law practice in Nashville for more than 25 years. He was a graduate of David Lipscomb University and Pepperdine University School of Law. A memorial service will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. Click here to read the full obituary.

Andrea McKinnon knew since middle school she wanted to become a lawyer, but she took the roundabout way to achieving that goal. The Memphis native unintentionally yet perfectly structured her career from realtor to tax accountant to, finally, property tax lawyer after the events of Sept.11 made her redirect her life and pursue law. Read more about McKinnon in the Daily News.

The U.S. Justice Department today said that in order for a merger of two parking facility giants to proceed, Nashville-based Central Parking Corp. and Chicago-based Standard Parking Corp. must sell 107 of their garages and lots in the central business districts of 28 cities. The department’s complaint alleges that the proposed acquisition would lessen competition in certain areas -- and Nashville is one of them. The two companies are the largest parking management companies in the nation. The Commercial Appeal reports.

David Douglas, the attorney representing Tennessee Walking Horse trainer Jackie McConnell says they are now in a plea deal discussion, the JacksonSun reports. McConnell faces 17 state misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty and was sentenced Sept.18 for violating the U.S. Horse Protection Act. His case has been postponed until Nov. 13.

A three-judge panel of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed an earlier ruling that found the Army Corps of Engineers to be at fault for Hurricane Katrina's catastrophic flooding. In 2005, flooding from the hurricane because of an improperly maintained shipping channel, devastated New Orleans and killed 1,400 citizens. The court claims federal law gives the corps immunity against flood-related lawsuits, and also could make it  difficult to force the government to pay damages for future mishaps.. Read more about the ruling at WRCBtv.com.

Thousands of criminal cases are in question after an investigation of a Massachusetts chemist revealed she falsified her education. According to the ABA Journal, Annie Dookan is being investigated for purposely mishandling 60,000 drug samples involving 34,000 defendants. She has not been charged with a crime at this time.