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An unprecedented recent court filing from the Justice Department could have dramatic implications for the representation of indigent defendants. The department argues that the fix for broken public defender systems could include a court-appointed monitor.

The shakeup comes as Republicans step up pressure over the agency's failed gun trafficking operation. Kenneth E. Melson has stepped down. B. Todd Jones, U.S. attorney for Minnesota, will be the agency's new acting director.

The Obama Justice Department has been taking a more aggressive approach against people who block access to abortion clinics, using a 1994 law to bring cases in greater numbers than George W. Bush did. Some believe the stepped-up enforcement has put a damper on clinic violence.

Days after the Supreme Court's landmark decision on the health care law, lawyers say they're still teasing out the consequences in other areas of the law — including civil rights. That's because the ruling involves two federal powers that happen to be the backbone of most civil rights legislation.

A staff member at the Securities and Exchange Commission has complained to Congress that thousands of investigative documents have been destroyed by the agency, including some relating to huge investment banks. But an SEC spokesman says there's nothing wrong with how it handled internal records.

Stepping on big toes is pretty much the job description of the Justice Department's Michael Horowitz. He's boss of about 450 employees who sift through allegations of misconduct at Justice, the FBI and ATF. One looming item: a report on the gunrunning operation called Fast and Furious.

About half the cases came from United States citizens who were being exploited.

Ten years ago, an Albanian immigrant agreed to help the Justice Department build a case against an accused mobster. In exchange, he says, federal prosecutors promised him a green card and protection for his family. Now the informant says the U.S. reneged on its commitment — with violent results.

From the day a grand jury indicted former Sen. John Edwards on six felony charges nearly one year ago, the case drew jeers from election lawyers and government watchdogs. After a mistrial on most counts, the jury foreman says Congress should clarify campaign laws that were at the heart of the case.

The Justice Department has few options in the investigation of the death of Florida teen Trayvon Martin. But former prosecutors say one law passed early in the Obama administration might apply: the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act.