Trump Says In SOTU That Administration Will Pursue Prison Reforms
"We will embark on reforming our prisons to help former inmates who have served their time get a second chance."
Criminal Justice
No, Libertarians Have Not Thrown in With Trump
Jonathan Chait's accusations to the contrary ignore a great deal of the actual libertarian reaction to the president's policies. But some libertarians are indeed too soft on both Trump and right-wing nationalism generally.
Ohio Deputy Shoots and Kills Unarmed 16-Year-Old Outside Courtroom
Spurs calls for officers to stop carrying guns in court
Short Circuit: A roundup of recent federal court decisions
Bathtime photos, forfeiture shenanigans, and a wine caper.
In Supporting the Gymnastics Victims, Judge Aquilina Got It Right
That the judge supported the gymnastic victims in being heard should be a cause for celebration, not concern--and ample caselaw makes clear that it was entirely within the boundaries of proper judicial behavior.
ALEC Urges State to Reform Drug-Free School Zone Laws
"Most Drug-Free Zone laws were established decades ago but have not been reformed despite evidence they're arbitrary and often unnecessarily broad."
Here Are 5 Criminal Justice Reform Measures That Americans Say They Support
A new poll says voters want change. They can get it if they truly want it.
ACLU Sues Pennsylvania For Putting Death Row Inmates in Permanent Solitary Confinement
"This is a profoundly damaging practice. It destroys people."
Baltimore Cops on Trial for a Criminal Conspiracy That Looks a Lot Like Everyday Policing
Armed robbery, extortion...and keeping the money for themselves.
Texas Cops Charge 'Child Sex Trafficking Victim' With Felony
They also arrested her younger friend for prostitution.
Larry Nassar Sexually Abused More Than 100 Girls. That Doesn't Mean He Should Be Raped in Prison.
"Our Constitution does not allow for cruel and unusual punishment," said Aquilina. She should have stopped there.
Fairfax Police Chief Releases Video of Fatal U.S. Park Police Shooting
The FBI has not released the names of the cops or any other information since opening an investigation.
The Internet Makes Life Better and Safer for Sex Workers. Obviously.
A large new study out of the U.K. proves it.
Man Incarcerated for 6 Years Without a Trial Because He Demanded a Speedy Trial
What the 2nd Circuit's opinion in U.S. v. Tigano reveals about the state of our criminal justice system
9th Circuit Revives Suit by Couple Whose Children Were Seized Over Bathtime Photos
A social worker took three little girls from their home without a court order because she thought the pictures were "sexually explicit."
Washingtonians to Vote on Making It Easier to Convict Cops for Using Deadly Force
The measure would also require officers to render first aid directly after shootings and undergo new training.
A Year After Reforms, Virginia Still Suspends Nearly 1 Million Driver's Licenses For Court Debts
That's one out of every six licensed drivers in the state.
Militarized Police Events Are Now Routine
And illustrate the pressing need for civilian oversight.
My Upcoming Speaking Engagements
My upcoming public speaking engagements for the next few months. Covering topics like political ignorance, federalism, immigration, and others.
Alabama Raked in $2.2 Million in Civil Asset Forfeiture in 2015
A new bill introduced by state lawmakers would require a criminal conviction for the government to keep someone's property.
Police Wrongdoing Cost New Jersey Taxpayers $42 Million in the Last 10 Years
In scores of secret settlements, local governments have sought to hide cops' crimes and brutality.
The Feds Are Just 'Safeguarding' Money Seized Through Asset Forfeiture and Civil Fines
U.S. prosecutors in Northern Georgia alone helped collect millions in asset forfeiture actions, civil and criminal fines last year.
We Have Opinions (from SCOTUS)
The Supreme Court issues three opinions, for a grand total of four so far this term.
Linguification
When (often plausible) claims about substance get recast as (unsound) claims about language.
Dallas Cash Bail System Leaves Poor Languishing In Jail, Lawsuit Says
"The county operates a wealth-based system of detention. Every day people are held in jail simply because they can't afford very small amounts of money."
Did unmasking reform clinch the deal for 702 reauthorization?
Episode 199 of the Cyberlaw Podcast
200. Will fitness tracking turn into an entirely new 702 intelligence program?
Episode 200 of the Cyberlaw Podcast
Inconceivable Rights: I Do Not Think That Word Means (Just) What You Think It Means
The infection of postmodernism apparently goes way back.
NYC Police Union to Limit 'Get Out of Jail Free' Cards
Some cops are livid, the New York Post reports.
Reminder: The Parts of the Federal Government Authorized to Shoot You Are Still Functioning
The federal "shutdown" doesn't lead to anarchy. It won't even lead to less government spending.
How "Rights" Are Like Superscript -1
Legal language, like mathematical language, often gives multiple definitions to similar terms.
Supreme Court Takes Up Internet Sales Tax Conundrum
Why I hope the Court leaves its "physical presence" rule for sales tax collection intact, or How I Learned to Love the Dormant Commerce Clause.
Split the Baby. Drink the Poison. Carry the Hot Iron. Swear on the Bible
How courts exploit superstition to uncover hidden truths
Peffer v. Stephens, on Probable Cause and Home Computer Searches
A computer search decision from a new Sixth Circuit judge, John Bush, has been generating some controversy. Let's take a look.
D.C. Prosecutors Dismiss 129 Inauguration Day Protest Cases
The government now says it will prosecute only those it can prove committed specific criminal acts.
The Gen X vs. Millennials War Over #MeToo
Ashleigh Banfield's fight with babe reporter Katie Way is the latest manifestation of an interesting generational divide.
Another Hate Crime at the University of Maryland Turns Out to Be a Hoax
Beware of easy narratives about "bias incidents." We usually don't know who's behind them-and when we find out, they often aren't who you expect.
The Originalist Case for Jury Nullification
Is there a place in our system for a jury to acquit because the jurors believe the underlying law is unconstitutional?
Tennessee Deputy Who Suffered Panic Attack After Firing At Unarmed Man Had Track Record of Lying and Incompetence at Previous Police Department
Deputy Justin M. Johnson should never have been given a badge and a gun.
Bill Introduced to Stop Civil Forfeiture Funding of DEA Marijuana Eradication Program
"DEA's use of proceeds acquired through civil asset forfeiture to expand marijuana enforcement makes the already unacceptable practice even worse."
Are We Headed for a Government Shutdown over DACA?
Matt Welch talks with Slate Capitol Hill reporter Jim Newell, as well as Michael Shermer and Erin Gloria Ryan, on SiriusXM Insight at 2 pm ET
4th Circuit Approves Imprisonment of Sex Offender Convicted of a Nonexistent Crime
Although his conviction was invalid, the appeals court says, his civil commitment as a "sexually dangerous person" remains legal.
