"Public Officials Have an Ongoing Duty to Adhere to the Law"
"This duty doesn't evaporate in a crisis—in fact, a crisis may heighten the duty."
Criminal Justice
Chicago Jail Inmate With COVID-19 Dies Shackled to His Hospital Bed
The Cook County jail is the country's largest known single source of new coronavirus infections.
Texas Teen Booked on Terror Charge for COVID-19 Snapchat Video
She posted on social media about deliberately spreading the disease, but she's not actually sick.
The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office Says It Wrongly Convicted Walter Ogrod. Will a Judge Set Him Free Before He Dies of COVID-19?
Ogrod remains on death row even though the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office has called for his conviction to be overturned. He probably has COVID-19.
COVID-19 Patients and Their Families Are Being Put on Police-Enforced Lockdown
From doxxing people with the new coronavirus to making diagnosed and suspected patients wear ankle monitors, some states are taking all the wrong steps to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Ohio Governor Says State Will Seek Release of Some Inmates in Response to Coronavirus
The state will seek the release of nearly 200 inmates who are either at risk or nearing their release dates anyway in response to COVID-19.
California Judges Set Bail at $0 for Misdemeanors, Low-Level Felonies Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
New emergency rules attempt to slow down justice system to keep people apart.
New York's New Budget: No Legal Weed, No Fracking, No Flavored Vapes, No Police Transparency. But You Get E-scooters!
If only everybody weren’t stuck in their homes.
Texas Inmates Sue for Access to Hand Sanitizer as Coronavirus Threatens Prisons
The ACLU is also suing Washington, D.C. jails.
Virginia Man Shoots an Active Robber in Store, Is Arrested Himself
The store owner thought his employee acted in reasonable defense of property and self. The police disagreed.
New York May Re-Reform Its Bail System, and Criminal Justice Activists Aren't Happy
Judges would be given additional leeway to order pretrial detentions.
Can Police Task Forces Play Jurisdiction Games To Avoid Liability for Misconduct?
An innocent man was beaten up by a local police detective and an FBI agent. No one wants to take responsibility.
The Vice Cops Who Arrested Stormy Daniels Now Face Federal Charges for Fraud and Conspiring to Violate People's Civil Rights
Two former Columbus, Ohio, police officers are accused of harassing strip club owners, patrons, and staff without legal justification.
The Fifth Circuit's Inconsistent Approach to Certiorari and Abeyance
What should a Court of Appeals do when the Supreme Court grants, or is about to grant, a case with related issues?
Using Vulgarities When Speaking to a Police Officer Isn't a Crime
You'd think that would have been clear by now to prosecutors and judges.
Zoom Conversation with Michael Abramowicz, Will Baude, Orin Kerr, and Me -- You're All Invited to Watch and Ask Questions
It will be 8 pm Pacific, 9 pm Mountain, 10 pm Central, 11 pm Eastern, on Tuesday, March 31, for about an hour.
First Known Federal Inmate Dies of Coronavirus
Patrick Jones, 49, was serving a 27-year sentence for a nonviolent drug crime.
Coronavirus Daily Death Rates by Country
Very high in Italy and Spain, followed by France, Switzerland, Belgium, and the Netherlands, followed by Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, Austria, the U.S., and Germany.
DHS Adds Workers for Gunmakers, Gun Retailers, and Shooting Ranges to "Essential Critical Infrastructure" List
This is an advisory list, but I expect will have some influence on some local governments.
Possible Zoom Video Conversation, With All of You Invited to Watch and Submit Questions via Chat?
I'm toying with doing that with a couple of colleagues -- any suggestions on how to make it work?
Texas Cities and Counties Can't Close Gun Stores as Part of Coronavirus Closures
So opines the Texas AG, interpreting Texas state statutes (and not needing to consider the Second Amendment).
Short Circuit: A Roundup of Recent Federal Court Decisions
A cold prison, a suspicious suicide, and federal advisory committees.
"Senator, I Have Worked with Professors at the University of Pennsylvania," I Say
"I know professors at the University of Pennsylvania. Professors at the University of Pennsylvania are friends of mine. Senator, you're no University of Pennsylvania Professor."
Federal Lawsuit in N.J. Challenges Total Closure of Gun Stores
"At the same time these Defendants" "entirely closed off any and all means for law-abiding private citizens to obtain firearms in New Jersey," "the State has permitted the retailers of many other products—including alcohol, marijuana, and office supplies—to continue distributing goods to the public."
Covid-19, the Evil Genius, and How to Think about Societal Risks
How much risk of loss of life people are willing to accept likely depends on how one asks the question
Coronavirus Deaths: 6th Day of ~700/Day in Italy, 3rd Day of ~600 in Spain, 3rd Day of ~210 in France, 2nd Day of ~235 in U.S.
(All numbers are plus or minus about 15%.)
Justice Department Filing Against Treating Male-to-Female Transgender Athletes as Women
"Far from being required by Title IX, CIAC's transgender policy is in tension with 'the core of Title IX's purpose'—namely, ensuring that women have an '[e]qual opportunity to participate' in educational programs and activities at covered institutions."
"From Now On, Reusable Bags Are Prohibited and All Regulations on Plastic Bag Bans Are Lifted"
Says Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, presumably for the duration of the pandemic emergency.
End the coronavirus lockdown for those who've recovered
They're a crucial resource in this crisis
