Criminal Justice
Another Take on Judge Sullivan and Michael Flynn's Petition for a Writ of Mandamus
Professor Peter Margulies argues the writ should be denied, for the most part, at least for now.
AI Means Superfuzzing plus Whaling at Scale
Episode 319 of the Cyberlaw Podcast - an interview with Ben Buchanan
Video Shows Cops Slashing Tires Across Minneapolis During Protests
A spokesperson for the Minnesota Department of Public Safety says they were scared people would drive too fast.
Democrats Unveil Policing Reform Bill
The bill includes many items on police reformers' wishlists, but it would also pump more federal money to police departments instead of shrinking their budgets.
Professionalizing Police Hasn't Worked. Try Privatizing Instead.
No amount of protesting is likely to reduce police brutality in the absence of structural reforms that increase accountability, competition, choice, and incentives.
Protesters Want to Defund the Police. Joe Biden Wants to Hire More of Them.
The Democratic presidential candidate wants an extra $300 million in federal grants for cops.
The Attorney General's Overblown Fears About Scrapping Qualified Immunity
It's not likely to have the chilling effect he expects. Unfortunately, it might not do as much as criminal justice reformers expect either.
The Case for Defunding Police Shouldn't Depend on How Much Privilege You Have
The police aren't good at solving crime in general, regardless of the victim's race, ethnicity, or income. Making this about "privilege" actually undercuts the strength of the argument.
New York Police Are Jailing Protesters For Days Without Charging Them
A New York State Judge has ruled that the twin crises of civic unrest and coronavirus justify holding people without charge beyond the normal 24-hour limit.
'Where Are Libertarians on Police Reform?' Right Where We've Always Been.
Real changes will require fewer laws and less violent enforcement.
Tear Down America's Immigrant Prisons
In the age of coronavirus, they are a danger to the lives of people both inside them and outside.
Minneapolis Leaders Vow To Defund the Police
Plus: Police unions love Amy Klobuchar, Seattle can't quit tear gassing protesters, and more...
Is the Future of Freedom of Speech in Jeopardy?
Constitutional protection of freedom of speech depends on cultural foundations that are being eroded, left and right.
Florida's Schools Have Become a High-Stakes Experiment in Classroom Policing
Will a hiring surge for school police and renewed zeal for zero tolerance policies undo years of declining youth arrests in Florida?
The Problem of Racial Profiling - Why it Matters and What Can be Done About it
Why racial profiling is an important problem, why it's so difficult to address, and what can nonetheless be done about it.
Houston Police Chief's Record Belies His Reformist Rhetoric After George Floyd's Death
If Art Acevedo had any shame, he would be engaging in less grandstanding and more introspection.
Cities Should Take a Hard Look at Police Department Budgets (UPDATED)
Despite a massive decrease in crime, the NYPD has more officers and twice as many civilian employees now than in 1991.
How Injustice at Home Damages the US Position in the World
The upheaval over police abuses has damaged America's image in the world, especially coming on the heels of other blows to American "soft power." We can and should do better.
How Adversarial is the Relationship Between African Americans and the Police?
Not as adversarial as you might think based on some radical/extremist activists' rhetoric.
Rep. Justin Amash Wants To End Qualified Immunity. Where Are the Republicans?
The GOP claims to be the party of freedom. If that's true, they should rethink policies that embolden bad police behavior.
Martin Luther King Jr.'s Unwavering Opposition to Violence Still Matters
His famous line that a "riot is the language of the unheard" is often taken out of context.
A Few Days of Riots Can Echo for Many Years
America has survived worse in terms of urban unrest. But that's not necessarily reason for optimism.
3 Libertarian Tips for the #DefundPolice Movement
Reducing law enforcement requires more than merely cutting and shifting a budget.
After Nearly 30 Years, Pennsylvania's Walter Ogrod is Released From Death Row
False testimony and prosecutorial misconduct put Walter Ogrod on death row.
Short Circuit: A Roundup of Recent Federal Court Decisions
Common sense, various poems, and rogue, mooning journalists.
5 Ways to Curtail Police Violence and Prevent More Deaths Like George Floyd's
From tighter use-of-force rules to eliminating qualified immunity, here are some reforms that could make a real difference.
Amidst Calls for Abolishing the Police, Universities Cut Ties With City Police Departments
A complete end to police on campus probably isn't in the cards, but smaller victories are within reach.
The Year Gun Control Died
Gun opponents would leave predatory cops armed and their victims helpless.
University of Washington Urging "Accommodations," "Especially" for "Members of the Black Community," as to Assignments and Exams
"Accommodations might include extra time to finish assignments or providing a 'final examination optional' pathway, for example."
Activists Demand Justice for Breonna Taylor, Whose Killers Are Still Employed as Louisville Cops
Plus: lightning strikes D.C., Buffalo cops suspended after knocking 75-year-old man to ground, and more...
Powerpoint Slides and Other Resources for 100 Supreme Court Cases
Email me if you'd like access to our library, which is perfect for distance learning constitutional law class.
Buffalo Police Seriously Injure 75-Year-Old Man During Protest
Two Buffalo police officers have been suspended and the man is in the hospital.
Joe Biden Wants To Reform the Criminal Justice System He Helped Create
The presidential candidate deserves praise for retreating from his tough-on-crime stance. But let's not forget that his policies contributed to mass incarceration and the police misconduct that people are protesting today.
