Criminal Justice
WTF is He Doing? [with Today's Quiz]
When do we decide that Trump's contempt for the law has crossed the line?
The White House Is Moving Forward on Prison Reform Despite Justice Department Resistance
The president and Senate Republicans might be coming to an agreement that includes some sentencing reforms, too.
Catholic Church Changes Doctrine To Oppose Death Penalty
The church's catechism now calls capital punishment "inadmissible" and says it's "an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person."
The College of Charleston Quietly Rejects Race-Preferential Admissions … No Wait! The College of Charleston Returns to Race-Preferential Admissions.
Motives matter under the law. So what was the College of Charleston's motive for its sudden change?
A "Liberal Feminist" Endorses Kavanaugh
Noted appellate attorney Lisa Blatt on why she supports the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh, and shows how we should evaluate judicial nominees from the other side of the aisle.
Court Decision Striking Down Albuquerque Asset Forfeiture Program Could Help Protect Property Rights Around the Country
If accepted by other courts, the judge's reasoning could curb a variety of other state and federal asset forfeiture policies that threaten the property rights of innocent people.
Trying to Clarify Why He Didn't Arrest Michael Drejka for Killing Markeis McGlockton, Sheriff Muddies Matters More
At first Bob Gualtieri said he lacked probable cause. Now he seems to be saying something more than probable cause is needed.
Legal Duty to Report Your Coworkers' Off-the-Job Crimes?
That's what a New Jersey appellate court seems to have created, based on the theory that a criminal's coworkers somehow have a special duty to the victim -- even when the crime has nothing at all to do with the job.
Colorado's early self-government and path to statehood
On the periphery of the periphery, Coloradans energetically exercised their inherent rights of sovereignty and self-government.
Federal Judge Breaks Up Albuquerque's Car Theft Ring
A new ruling says the city's civil forfeiture program violates the right to due process.
"Court Balancing" is Just Court-Packing by Another Name
A new proposal to give Democrats additional Supreme Court appointments by temporarily increasing the size of the Supreme Court would cause much the same problems as conventional court-packing would.
As Bail Reforms Gain Steam, Civil Rights Groups Warn About Overreliance on Risk Assessment Tools
Data and algorithms can help end biases, but they can also help perpetuate them.
Louisiana Attorney General Wants State to Hurry Up on Executions—Even If That Means Using 'Hanging, Firing Squad, or Electrocution'
The death penalty may surface as a key issue in the upcoming gubernatorial election in Louisiana.
The best idea yet for derailing Judge Kavanaugh's nomination
Episode 228 of the Cyberlaw Podcast
Federal Judge Rules That Albuquerque's Asset Forfeiture Created an Unconstitutional Profit Incentive
"There is a realistic possibility that forfeiture officials' judgement will be distorted by the prospect of institutional gain."
Legislators Say Sheriff Who Declined to Arrest Michael Drejka for Killing Markeis McGlockton Is Misrepresenting Florida's 'Stand Your Ground' Law
Bob Gualtieri erroneously claims the law's "largely subjective" standard lets Drejka off the hook.
Injured Trump Supporters' Lawsuit Against San Jose Can Proceed, Says Ninth Circuit
"The Attendees allege the Officers shepherded them into a violent crowd of protesters and actively prevented them from reaching safety. The Officers continued to implement this plan even while witnessing the violence firsthand, and even though they knew the mob had attacked Trump supporters at the Convention Center earlier that evening."
Rand Paul announces support for Brett Kavanaugh
Says private discussions and Kavanaugh's strong record eased his concerns about the 4th Amendment
Off-Duty Florida Cop Arrested After She 'Beat the Shit' Out of a Pregnant Woman
The woman was kicked so hard that she went into labor.
ACLU Accuses Memphis Police of Monitoring the Private Communications of Black Lives Matter Activists
Domestic surveillance in Tennessee.
A Mississippi Police Officer Gets Fired for Using a Stun Gun on a Handcuffed Suspect
Meridian Police Chief Benny Dubose has released a dashcam video showing ex-officer Daniel Starks' misconduct.
Prison Rape Reports Are Rising
After national reporting standards were implemented, substantiated sexual assault claims rose by 63 percent.
Bernie Sanders Introduces Bill to Eliminate Cash Bail
"Our destructive and unjust cash bail process is part of our broken criminal justice system and must be ended."
'Stand Your Ground' Did Not Kill Markeis McGlockton
Michael Drejka's decision to shoot was inconsistent with Florida's self-defense law.
When a Baby's Accidental Drug Death Leads to a $3 Million Bail Order, It's Time to Ask Questions
Is a mom who passed drugs along to her infant via breastfeeding a real community threat?
Georgia Sheriff Buys $70K Dodge Charger Hellcat With Forfeiture Funds
Now the Justice Department wants the money back, calling the purchase "extravagant."
Michigan Man Files Suit After Waiting 3 Years for a Hearing to Get His Seized Car Back
The government's definition of "prompt" is a little different from everyone else's, especially when it comes to asset forfeiture.
New York Finally Gets Around to Maybe Holding Police Officers Responsible for Eric Garner's Killing
Four years later, they might actually fire somebody.
Sen. Mike Lee on Brett Kavanaugh, Trump's Tariffs, and Congressional Dysfunction
The way Congress crafts spending bills has "effectively disenfranchised almost 300 million Americans."
Do Offensive Social Media Posts Impugn the Criminal Justice System?
San Bernardino County investigator called Rep. Maxine Waters "a loud-mouthed c#nt" and mocked the victim of a police shooting. The DA appears unconcerned.
Key West Tourist Gets 15 Days in Jail for Collecting 40 Conch Shells
The woman, who planned to give the shells away as gifts, did not realize she was breaking the law.
A Strategy for Jury Nullification Victories in Georgia
Catherine Bernard doesn't ask jurors to "nullify" the laws. She just urges them to perform the full range of their powerful jobs.
A Texas Man Is Executed Even After His Victim's Family Pleads for His Life
"His execution doesn't change what he did 14 years ago. It doesn't bring my dad back."
NAACP Sues Connecticut to Stop 'Prison Gerrymandering'
Incarcerated prisoners are counted where they're jailed for representation purposes, even though they usually cannot vote.
Laws Are for the Little People
Lots of government officials enjoy legal immunity with a wink and a nod. But in Arizona, immunity is actually official.
Florida Police Chief Charged with Arresting Random Black Men to Improve His Department's Record
Former Biscayne Park Police Chief Raimundo Atesiano is accused of arrested black men for burglaries to boost the department's image.
Innocent Until Proven Guilty, But Only If You Can Pay
How America's bail system traps poor people in jail
New Calls for the Supreme Court to Reconsider Qualified Immunity
Some unusual amicus briefs filed in support of cert. in Allah v. Milling
Americans Support Alternatives to Cash Bail, Once They Know They Exist
People don't like the idea of people who haven't been convicted yet being stuck in jail because they can't pay
ACLU Asks Police Not To Attend a D.C. Community Meeting on Policing
Metro police were asked to limit their presence at a public safety meeting following "recent events" that include a questionable search.
A Cop Attacked and Threatened a Man Who Did Nothing Wrong, Then Made His Life Hell for Complaining
Video footage shows that Adam Finley calmly followed a hotheaded cop's instructions. But he was charged anyway.
'I Kill Motherfuckers'
A white police officer threatened to detain two black men for "walking in the street."
Police Seized Property of Close to 1,000 People in Michigan—Without Ever Convicting Them of Crimes
Thanks to a new state law, agencies now have to report how extensively civil asset forfeiture is used to take people's stuff.
