Illinois Racks Up Millions in Property Seizures by Police
Newly uncovered documents reveal how much is taken, how much is forfeited-and the desperate need for more transparency.
Criminal Justice
Bill Named After Murdered Girl Fails House Vote. Thank Goodness.
Hard cases make bad law and exploiting grief is bad politics.
Feds and South Carolina Both Want to Execute Dylann Roof
Do they plan to kill the Charleston shooter twice?
Crashes Caused by Negligence Are Still Accidents
The movement to stop calling car crashes "accidents" blurs an important distinction.
Purvi Patel Appeals 20-Year Feticide Sentence for Self-Induced Abortion
Patel was sentenced to 20 years in prison for taking the abortion pill without a doctor's supervision-or at least that's how her supporters portray the situation.
Photographer Catches Brawl at NYC Police-Firefighter Charity Football Game
Says he was told he "better not put this out there."
SCOTUS Blasts Prosecution for Racial Bias in Death Penalty Jury Selection Case
The U.S. Supreme Court issues its decision in Foster v. Chatman.
Louisiana to Become First State to Make Cop Killing a Hate Crime
Democratic governor expected to sign the widely-supported legislation.
Department of Homeland Security
DHS's 2014 Panty Raid Was Concocted by an "Eager" Federal Prosecutor
Homeland Security was defined-down even further in the form of a raid on a Kansas City lingerie shop over possible copyright infringement.
Pennsylvania Cop Criminally Charged After Punching Woman in the Face—Still On the PD Payroll
On paid leave while the department conducts its own investigation
Grand Jury Report Paints Horrifying Picture of Death Penalty Problems in Oklahoma
A government lawyer encouraged corrections officials to proceed with an execution using the wrong drug.
Maryland Reforms Asset Forfeiture, Mandatory Minimums
Tighter rules on seizure and looser rules on sentences for nonviolent crimes.
Bipartisan Pack of Lawmakers Fights Legal Theft by Police with New House Bill
Reforms would give people more protections from asset forfeiture abuse.
New Bill Would Require Police Learn De-escalation Techniques or Lose Federal Funding
Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wis.) introduces the "Preventing Tragedies Between Police and Communities Act."
That Time the Pennsylvania State Police Disguised a Spymobile as a Google Street View Car
But didn't disguise it very well
Ron Wyden, Rand Paul Team Up Again to Halt New Computer Surveillance Expansion
Download malware? The feds may use that as an excuse to infiltrate your computer as well.
Police to Be Trained on Concept of Free Press As Part of Ferguson Journalists' Lawsuit Settlement
St. Louis County PD adopts new "public information and news policy" following lawsuit alleging reporters were denied constitutional rights.
'War on Police' Failure Update: Cop Killings Down in 2015
More killed by accidents than criminals.
Very Few Prisoners Seeking Commutations Meet DOJ's Picky Criteria for Consideration
Only 4 percent of cases reviewed by volunteer lawyers have made the cut so far.
2014 Police Killings Changed the Way Americans View Race
The decisions not to charge the cops responsible caused a spike in concern about race.
The World's Worst Mom on America's Frenzy of Fear
Elementary school pick up shouldn't resemble the Fall of Saigon.
First Lawsuit of Its Kind Blames Marijuana for Murder
Kristine Kirk's family say her husband would not have killed her if he had been properly warned about THC side effects.
Feds Reportedly Stage Multiple Raids in Upstate New York Hasidic Village
Previous raid targeted alleged library subsidy scam.
FBI Director Blames 'Viral Videos' for Rising Murder Rates
James Comey says watched cops are not aggressive enough.
Here's What to Expect from the Latest Attempt at Federal Sentencing Reform
Bipartisan bill was amended in April. Who would be affected?
Feds Gave $2.2 Billion Worth of Military Gear to Local Police Departments Since 2006
Despite calls to end the militarization of police, new report says "2014 and 2015 were peak years" for local PDs acquiring weapons, armored vehicles, and more.
Arkansas Trooper Steals $20,000, Because Nobody Innocent Carries That Much Cash
Prosecutors tried to drop the forfeiture case, but the judge would not let them.
