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people in America
CUOMO’S NOMINEE TO NEW YORK’S HIGHEST COURT ALARMS Progressives are warning that the governor’s appointment of the Nassau County district attorney would intensify the court’s pro-prosecution bent.. When Governor Andrew Cuomo nominated prosecutor Madeline Singas, the district attorney for Nassau County on Long Island, to serve on New York’s highest court, he framed her record as progressive, as though she were among the national HOW PITTSBURGH ACTIVISTS ARE SEIZING A RARE CHANCE TO How Pittsburgh Activists Are Seizing a Rare Chance To Reshape Courts. Grassroots groups are backing a slate of judge candidates in the May 18 primary. If elected, they could curb bail, high sentences, and other drivers of mass incarceration. In Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, a group of judge candidates known as the “Slate ofEight” are
COVID-19 IS STILL HERE BUT CONNECTICUT’S SYMPATHY FOR The governor also signed the September exemption before meaningful rental assistance could be distributed to tenants. In July, Connecticut launched a program to do so, but two months later, it had issued aid to only two families, despite receiving 30,000 applications.That was in large part due to burdensome documentation requirements and intake being paused just six weeks into theprogram’s
FIVE TIMES MIAMI’S NEW POLICE CHIEF GOT IT WRONG ON PUBLICSEE MOREON THEAPPEAL.ORG
ERASING THE “SCARLET E” OF EVICTION RECORDS Eviction judgments also undermine opportunities for employment, insurance, and, more broadly, any activities that depend on good credit. While evictions push people from their homes, records of those evictions can effectively banish people from civil society. We face a housing crisis that preceded the pandemic and only continues toworsen.
KEISHA HUDSON
Keisha was most recently the deputy chief defender at the Montgomery County Public Defender Office in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Prior to joining the Montgomery County Defenders, Ms. Hudson spent 10 years as an attorney with the Federal Defender, Capital Habeas Unit (Eastern District of STATES SHOULD ABOLISH TECHNICAL VIOLATIONS OF PROBATION “Technical violations” of probation or parole are by definition minor—forgetting to update your address, showing up to a meeting late, or missing a curfew—but often get people locked up. State lawmakers should ban incarceration for technical violations of probation and parole. D.A.S ARE ASKING BIDEN TO END THE DEATH PENALTY. BUT SOME D.A.s Are Asking Biden to End the Death Penalty. But Some Are Still Wielding It Themselves Prosecutors who have championed criminal justice reforms are still seeking death sentences, opposing appeals, and, in some cases, have even petitioned for execution dates. CALIFORNIA BILL THAT PROMOTES ALTERNATIVES TO POLICING IS Governor Newsom blocked the bill last year, but now advocates are pushing for a redo. In February 2020, when California Assemblymember Sydney Kamlager introduced the CRISES Act ( Assembly Bill 2054 ), to fund community-based emergency response programs, it didn’t make much of a splash. “It was a quiet bill,” Kamlager told The Appeal HOME PAGE - THE APPEALVOTING RIGHTSEXPLAINERSPROSECUTORSPOLICINGTHE APPEAL PODCASTJUSTICE IN AMERICA Verticals. The Lab. Explainers, polling memos, white papers, and other original research from the nation’s top scholars and experts. The Point. An Editorial page for the social web, telling the story of how policy, politics, and the legal system shape the lives of everydaypeople in America
CUOMO’S NOMINEE TO NEW YORK’S HIGHEST COURT ALARMS Progressives are warning that the governor’s appointment of the Nassau County district attorney would intensify the court’s pro-prosecution bent.. When Governor Andrew Cuomo nominated prosecutor Madeline Singas, the district attorney for Nassau County on Long Island, to serve on New York’s highest court, he framed her record as progressive, as though she were among the national HOW PITTSBURGH ACTIVISTS ARE SEIZING A RARE CHANCE TO How Pittsburgh Activists Are Seizing a Rare Chance To Reshape Courts. Grassroots groups are backing a slate of judge candidates in the May 18 primary. If elected, they could curb bail, high sentences, and other drivers of mass incarceration. In Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, a group of judge candidates known as the “Slate ofEight” are
COVID-19 IS STILL HERE BUT CONNECTICUT’S SYMPATHY FOR The governor also signed the September exemption before meaningful rental assistance could be distributed to tenants. In July, Connecticut launched a program to do so, but two months later, it had issued aid to only two families, despite receiving 30,000 applications.That was in large part due to burdensome documentation requirements and intake being paused just six weeks into theprogram’s
FIVE TIMES MIAMI’S NEW POLICE CHIEF GOT IT WRONG ON PUBLICSEE MOREON THEAPPEAL.ORG
ERASING THE “SCARLET E” OF EVICTION RECORDS Eviction judgments also undermine opportunities for employment, insurance, and, more broadly, any activities that depend on good credit. While evictions push people from their homes, records of those evictions can effectively banish people from civil society. We face a housing crisis that preceded the pandemic and only continues toworsen.
KEISHA HUDSON
Keisha was most recently the deputy chief defender at the Montgomery County Public Defender Office in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Prior to joining the Montgomery County Defenders, Ms. Hudson spent 10 years as an attorney with the Federal Defender, Capital Habeas Unit (Eastern District of STATES SHOULD ABOLISH TECHNICAL VIOLATIONS OF PROBATION “Technical violations” of probation or parole are by definition minor—forgetting to update your address, showing up to a meeting late, or missing a curfew—but often get people locked up. State lawmakers should ban incarceration for technical violations of probation and parole. D.A.S ARE ASKING BIDEN TO END THE DEATH PENALTY. BUT SOME D.A.s Are Asking Biden to End the Death Penalty. But Some Are Still Wielding It Themselves Prosecutors who have championed criminal justice reforms are still seeking death sentences, opposing appeals, and, in some cases, have even petitioned for execution dates. CALIFORNIA BILL THAT PROMOTES ALTERNATIVES TO POLICING IS Governor Newsom blocked the bill last year, but now advocates are pushing for a redo. In February 2020, when California Assemblymember Sydney Kamlager introduced the CRISES Act ( Assembly Bill 2054 ), to fund community-based emergency response programs, it didn’t make much of a splash. “It was a quiet bill,” Kamlager told The Appeal HOME PAGE - THE APPEAL Verticals. The Lab. Explainers, polling memos, white papers, and other original research from the nation’s top scholars and experts. The Point. An Editorial page for the social web, telling the story of how policy, politics, and the legal system shape the lives of everydaypeople in America
NORFOLK ELECTS PROSECUTOR WHO SAYS CRIME IS A "SYMPTOM OF Virginia’s primaries on Tuesday saw Ramin Fatehi clinch the Democratic nomination for Commonwealth Attorney in Norfolk, the site of a major showdown over reform in 2019.He is unchallenged in November. When the chief prosecutors of Norfolk and Portsmouth, Virginia, decided to stop prosecuting marijuana possession in early 2019, Portsmouth’s local judges largely went along PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SHOULD BE FREE The COVID-19 pandemic has made it impossible for us to ignore this any longer. Public transportation is a public good. When transit is the most reliable, convenient, and affordable option, everyone benefits—transit riders pursuing economic opportunity across town, drivers enjoying unclogged streets, and city residents breathingcleaner air.
PROBATION CONDITIONS RELAXED DURING THE PANDEMIC. SOME SAY Probation conditions have been relaxed out of necessity, according to Chief Deputy of Adult Services Reaver Bingham. Drug tests and mandated therapy, for example, are not required while social distancing is still recommended. For some probationers, the lifted conditions have made life easier. Samir, 49, spent the first six weeks of his FEDERAL FUNDING CHARTS THE PATH FOR LOCAL EVICTION RIGHT Finally, the American Rescue Plan created a $350 billion Fiscal Recovery Fund (FRF) to help state and local governments redress economic harms caused by COVID-19 through Dec. 31, 2024. The House Committee on Oversight and Reform has already posted approximate funding estimates for states, cities, counties, and tribalgovernments.
THE OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS: HOW THE DOJ CAN FLATTEN 1 day ago · Verticals. The Lab. Explainers, polling memos, white papers, and other original research from the nation’s top scholars and experts. The Point. An Editorial page for the social web, telling the story of how policy, politics, and the legal system shape the lives of everyday people in America SYRACUSE SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS HEAT UP OVER POLICE DEBATE 1 day ago · Verticals. The Lab. Explainers, polling memos, white papers, and other original research from the nation’s top scholars and experts. The Point. An Editorial page for the social web, telling the story of how policy, politics, and the legal system shape the lives of everyday people in America MANHATTAN’S NEXT DISTRICT ATTORNEY MUST REJECT EXTREME Nearly a fifth of New York’s prison population is serving a life sentence—one of the highest rates in the country. Manhattan’s next district attorney can STOP FEARMONGERING ABOUT PROGRESSIVE PROSECUTORS AND Larry Krasner’s clear win in the Philadelphia District Attorney primary election should have been a wake-up call to journalists who spent weeks breathlessly painting the race as a referendum on progressive prosecutors and their decarceral policies. Instead, they doubled down, redirecting their fearmongering to other cities. This reckless reporting needs to stop.MORGAN GODVIN
Morgan Godvin is a Research Associate at the Health in Justice Action Lab at Northeastern University School of Law. Morgan Godvin is a Research Associate at the Health in Justice Action Lab at Northeastern University School of Law. Reporting and analysis that HOME PAGE - THE APPEALVOTING RIGHTSEXPLAINERSPROSECUTORSPOLICINGTHE APPEAL PODCASTJUSTICE IN AMERICA Verticals. The Lab. Explainers, polling memos, white papers, and other original research from the nation’s top scholars and experts. The Point. An Editorial page for the social web, telling the story of how policy, politics, and the legal system shape the lives of everydaypeople in America
COVID-19 IS STILL HERE BUT CONNECTICUT’S SYMPATHY FOR The governor also signed the September exemption before meaningful rental assistance could be distributed to tenants. In July, Connecticut launched a program to do so, but two months later, it had issued aid to only two families, despite receiving 30,000 applications.That was in large part due to burdensome documentation requirements and intake being paused just six weeks into theprogram’s
HOW PITTSBURGH ACTIVISTS ARE SEIZING A RARE CHANCE TO Verticals. The Lab. Explainers, polling memos, white papers, and other original research from the nation’s top scholars and experts. The Point. An Editorial page for the social web, telling the story of how policy, politics, and the legal system shape the lives of everydaypeople in America
KEISHA HUDSON
Keisha was most recently the deputy chief defender at the Montgomery County Public Defender Office in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Prior to joining the Montgomery County Defenders, Ms. Hudson spent 10 years as an attorney with the Federal Defender, Capital Habeas Unit (Eastern District of FIVE TIMES MIAMI’S NEW POLICE CHIEF GOT IT WRONG ON PUBLICSEE MOREON THEAPPEAL.ORG
ERASING THE “SCARLET E” OF EVICTION RECORDS Verticals. The Lab. Explainers, polling memos, white papers, and other original research from the nation’s top scholars and experts. The Point. An Editorial page for the social web, telling the story of how policy, politics, and the legal system shape the lives of everydaypeople in America
BAIL REFORM: EXPLAINED 4. The Role of Prosecutors. Prosecutors have the ability to reduce the use of cash bail. While judges are the ultimate gatekeepers, prosecutors play an important role in the process and can advocate for bail reform, screen cases early, and establish a presumption of recommending release.Casey Tolan / Slate WHY THIS MOTHER AND DAUGHTER WERE JAILED WITHOUT BEING Verticals. The Lab. Explainers, polling memos, white papers, and other original research from the nation’s top scholars and experts. The Point. An Editorial page for the social web, telling the story of how policy, politics, and the legal system shape the lives of everydaypeople in America
POLL: OREGONIANS SUPPORT DECRIMINALIZING SEX WORK Verticals. The Lab. Explainers, polling memos, white papers, and other original research from the nation’s top scholars and experts. The Point. An Editorial page for the social web, telling the story of how policy, politics, and the legal system shape the lives of everydaypeople in America
FOR MANY PRISONERS, MISSISSIPPI’S HABITUAL OFFENDER LAWSLOUISIANA HABITUAL OFFENDER LAWMS HABITUAL OFFENDER LAW For Many Prisoners, Mississippi’s Habitual Offender Laws Are Like ‘Death Sentences’ One man, Paul Houser, is serving 60 years on a drug conviction for purchasing cold medicine and batteries. HOME PAGE - THE APPEALVOTING RIGHTSEXPLAINERSPROSECUTORSPOLICINGTHE APPEAL PODCASTJUSTICE IN AMERICA Verticals. The Lab. Explainers, polling memos, white papers, and other original research from the nation’s top scholars and experts. The Point. An Editorial page for the social web, telling the story of how policy, politics, and the legal system shape the lives of everydaypeople in America
COVID-19 IS STILL HERE BUT CONNECTICUT’S SYMPATHY FOR The governor also signed the September exemption before meaningful rental assistance could be distributed to tenants. In July, Connecticut launched a program to do so, but two months later, it had issued aid to only two families, despite receiving 30,000 applications.That was in large part due to burdensome documentation requirements and intake being paused just six weeks into theprogram’s
HOW PITTSBURGH ACTIVISTS ARE SEIZING A RARE CHANCE TO Verticals. The Lab. Explainers, polling memos, white papers, and other original research from the nation’s top scholars and experts. The Point. An Editorial page for the social web, telling the story of how policy, politics, and the legal system shape the lives of everydaypeople in America
KEISHA HUDSON
Keisha was most recently the deputy chief defender at the Montgomery County Public Defender Office in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Prior to joining the Montgomery County Defenders, Ms. Hudson spent 10 years as an attorney with the Federal Defender, Capital Habeas Unit (Eastern District of FIVE TIMES MIAMI’S NEW POLICE CHIEF GOT IT WRONG ON PUBLICSEE MOREON THEAPPEAL.ORG
ERASING THE “SCARLET E” OF EVICTION RECORDS Verticals. The Lab. Explainers, polling memos, white papers, and other original research from the nation’s top scholars and experts. The Point. An Editorial page for the social web, telling the story of how policy, politics, and the legal system shape the lives of everydaypeople in America
BAIL REFORM: EXPLAINED 4. The Role of Prosecutors. Prosecutors have the ability to reduce the use of cash bail. While judges are the ultimate gatekeepers, prosecutors play an important role in the process and can advocate for bail reform, screen cases early, and establish a presumption of recommending release.Casey Tolan / Slate WHY THIS MOTHER AND DAUGHTER WERE JAILED WITHOUT BEING Verticals. The Lab. Explainers, polling memos, white papers, and other original research from the nation’s top scholars and experts. The Point. An Editorial page for the social web, telling the story of how policy, politics, and the legal system shape the lives of everydaypeople in America
POLL: OREGONIANS SUPPORT DECRIMINALIZING SEX WORK Verticals. The Lab. Explainers, polling memos, white papers, and other original research from the nation’s top scholars and experts. The Point. An Editorial page for the social web, telling the story of how policy, politics, and the legal system shape the lives of everydaypeople in America
FOR MANY PRISONERS, MISSISSIPPI’S HABITUAL OFFENDER LAWSLOUISIANA HABITUAL OFFENDER LAWMS HABITUAL OFFENDER LAW For Many Prisoners, Mississippi’s Habitual Offender Laws Are Like ‘Death Sentences’ One man, Paul Houser, is serving 60 years on a drug conviction for purchasing cold medicine and batteries. FEDERAL FUNDING CHARTS THE PATH FOR LOCAL EVICTION RIGHT Federal Funding Charts the Path for Local Eviction Right-To-Counsel Efforts To all of the state lawmakers wondering how to fund legal representation for tenants facing evictions: follow the federal COVID-19 relief packages. FALSE CONFESSIONS, EXPLAINED 8 hours ago · Brown v. Mississippi, 297 U.S. 278 (1936). ↑ 13 People v. Portelli, 15 N.Y.2d 235, (1965). ↑ 14 Payne v. State of Ark., 356 U.S. 560, 564–65(1958). ↑ 15 Following a popular interrogation training method known as the Reid Technique, detectives first engage in a “Behavior Analysis Interview,” during which they are looking for signs of deception in the suspect. CUOMO’S NOMINEE TO NEW YORK’S HIGHEST COURT ALARMS 8 hours ago · Progressives are warning that the governor’s appointment of the Nassau County district attorney would intensify the court’s pro-prosecution bent.. When Governor Andrew Cuomo nominated prosecutor Madeline Singas, the district attorney for Nassau County on Long Island, to serve on New York’s highest court, he framed her record as progressive, as though she were among the national STOP FEARMONGERING ABOUT PROGRESSIVE PROSECUTORS AND Larry Krasner’s clear win in the Philadelphia District Attorney primary election should have been a wake-up call to journalists who spent weeks breathlessly painting the race as a referendum on progressive prosecutors and their decarceral policies. Instead, they doubled down, redirecting their fearmongering to other cities. This reckless reporting needs to stop. CLIMATE JUSTICE IS CENTRAL TO KATE KNUTH’S BID FOR While most kids love parades, Kate Knuth despised them. Shy growing up, Knuth saw them largely as crowded political events she had to slog through: Her father, Daniel, was a hydrologist turned Minnesota state legislator, and she recalled many photo ops for which she refused to smile. “It’s funny THE RACIST FEARMONGERING CAMPAIGNS AGAINST BAIL REFORM 11 hours ago · When it comes to criminal justice policy, raw, unadulterated fear is among the strongest tools in the anti-reform toolbox. Often racialized, unfounded, and cloaked in euphemisms about crime and public safety, the fearmongering playbook is simple but effective. It is the weapon of choice for law KEY CHALLENGES FOR AUTOMATED TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT TO 10 hours ago · Verticals. The Lab. Explainers, polling memos, white papers, and other original research from the nation’s top scholars and experts. The Point. An Editorial page for the social web, telling the story of how policy, politics, and the legal system shape the lives of everyday people in America ERIC DANIEL FOURNIER Verticals. The Lab. Explainers, polling memos, white papers, and other original research from the nation’s top scholars and experts. The Point. An Editorial page for the social web, telling the story of how policy, politics, and the legal system shape the lives of everydaypeople in America
FRANCISCO AVILES PINO Verticals. The Lab. Explainers, polling memos, white papers, and other original research from the nation’s top scholars and experts. The Point. An Editorial page for the social web, telling the story of how policy, politics, and the legal system shape the lives of everydaypeople in America
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_Visit us on Facebook_ _Follow us on Twitter_ Open Newsletter Signup Prosecutors West Coast LA POLICE UNION CONTRIBUTES $1 MILLION TO ANTI-GEORGE GASCÓN PAC The influx of cash shows the police union’s determination to stop the reform-minded district attorney candidate. Eliyahu Kamisher Jan 20, 2020THE LATEST
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Incarceration Northeast HOW DUBIOUS SCIENCE HELPED PUT A NEW JERSEY WOMAN IN PRISON FOR KILLING A BABY IN HER CARE Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg Jan15, 2020
Incarceration NortheastExplainers
CHICAGO POLICE TORTURE: EXPLAINED Kelly Hayes Dec 06, 2019NEWSLETTERS
Prosecutors Southeast ‘HE HAD ALREADY HURT ME.’ ALABAMA WOMAN ARGUES FOR ‘STAND YOUR GROUND’ IMMUNITY IN KILLING OF ALLEGED RAPIST Brittany Smith, who has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of a man she says brutally raped her, argued in court this week that she acted in self-defense and should be immune from prosecution. Lauren Gill Jan 17, 2020 CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM THE APPEAL PODCAST: SUBSTANDARD HEALTHCARE IN AMERICAN PRISONS With Taylor Elizabeth Eldridge, a Type Investigations Ida B. Wells Fellow and Appeal contributor. Adam H. Johnson Jan 16, 2020 MISPLACED OUTRAGE OVER KENTUCKY GOVERNOR’S PARDONS HARMS CRIMINALJUSTICE REFORM
Sensational headlines may score short-term partisan points, but long term they contribute to a toxic culture of Willie Hortonism. Adam H. Johnson Dec 20, 2019 HARRIS COUNTY D.A. CANDIDATE AUDIA JONES SAYS SHE WON’T PROSECUTESEX WORK
The incumbent in the race, Jones’s former boss Kim Ogg, will not support a blanket refusal to prosecute sex workers, her office says. Kira Lerner Dec 11, 2019 AS SUPPORT FOR CAPITAL PUNISHMENT WANES, AN OHIO D.A. CONTINUES TOPUSH FOR DEATH
In Franklin County, experts say Ron O’Brien’s capital cases—which can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars— amount to ‘just taxpayer money being lit on fire.’ Joshua Vaughn Dec 05, 2019 LONGTIME LOUISIANA PRISONER WHO MAINTAINED HER INNOCENCE DIES LESS THAN TWO YEARS AFTER HER RELEASE The poor healthcare that Bobbie Jean Johnson received during her more than 40 years in prison contributed to her death, family members say. Roxanna Asgarian Nov 25, 2019 ORANGE COUNTY JUDGE RULES THAT SHERIFF’S ‘BLANKET’ SHACKLING PRACTICE VIOLATES PRISONERS’ RIGHTS People held in courthouse cells were shackled for up to 15 hours a day, and some were unable to eat, change menstrual pads, or use the bathroom, advocates say. Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg Nov19, 2019
A LIFE SENTENCE IN ARKANSAS. AND A LIFETIME OF PAIN. The state’s parole board has recommended that Willie Mae Harris, convicted of killing her husband in 1985, be freed five times. Now 72 and completely blind, her fate lies with Gov. Asa Hutchinson. Lauren Gill Nov 18, 2019 NEW YORK’S CHILD WELFARE LAWS WILL ADVANCE JUSTICE Two bills, awaiting Governor Andrew Cuomo’s signature, would help reduce the punitive impact of the child welfare system on kids and their families, including formerly incarcerated parents. Nora McCarthy Nov 13, 2019 THE APPEAL PODCAST: WHEN CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM PRESERVES THE STATUSQUO
With Civil Rights Corps founder Alec Karakatsanis Adam H. Johnson Nov 07, 2019 YESTERDAY, OKLAHOMA SAW THE LARGEST MASS COMMUTATION IN U.S. HISTORY Sarah Lustbader Nov 05, 2019 IT’S TIME TO FIGHT THE DEMOCRATIC MAYORS WHO ARE CHAMPIONS OF THECARCERAL STATE
The mayors of New York, Chicago, and San Francisco wrap themselves in the language of progressivism, but when it comes to the criminal legal system they’re Trumpian. Kelly Hayes Nov 04, 2019 WHO GETS TO PROCLAIM THE PROGRESSIVE PROSECUTOR MANTLE? Interim San Francisco D.A. Suzy Loftus claims to be a "progressive," but her long record as a prosecutor reveals an all-too-familiar path chosen by establishment-types who have little interest in disruptingthe status quo.
Patrisse Cullors Nov 01, 2019 CALIFORNIA COURT DESTROYS FILES IN HISTORIC POLICE CORRUPTION CASE Criminal case files from Oakland’s seminal Riders scandal were among documents shredded by the Alameda County Superior Court in 2015. Ali Winston, Darwin BondGrahamOct 30, 2019
LOUISIANA TO BUILD NEW PRISON FOR WOMEN DISPLACED BY 2016 STORM More than three years after heavy rains and flooding devastated the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women, officials have reached an agreement to build a new facility. Lauren Gill Oct 29, 2019 JULIÁN CASTRO’S CRIMINAL JUSTICE PLAN: LONG ON INSPIRATION, SHORTON SPECIFICS
Sarah Lustbader Oct 28, 2019 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE PETE BUTTIGIEG RELEASES CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORMPLAN
The South Bend, Indiana, mayor says his plan—which includes cutting the incarcerated population by half—will "rebalance" a system that is "unfair and racist in many ways." Aaron Morrison Oct 26, 2019 NORTH CAROLINA JUDGE RULES THAT PROSECUTING 16-YEAR-OLD AS AN ADULT VIOLATES HIS CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS Two years ago, the state passed ‘raise the age’ legislation that goes into effect in December. A judge’s decision regarding a teen charged in 2015 raises the possibility of relief for other young people charged since the law’s passage. Roxanna Asgarian Oct 22, 2019 PHILADELPHIA MAN BEGINS REBUILDING HIS LIFE AFTER HIS WRONGFULCONVICTION
After more than two decades, Terrance Lewis was exonerated and released from prison earlier this year. He is now an advocate for other innocent people caught up in the criminal legal system. Joshua Vaughn Oct 09, 2019 THE 1994 CRIME LAW HOGS THE LEGAL REFORM SPOTLIGHT. BUT A LESSER-KNOWN LAW DESERVES MORE ATTENTION. As the presidential election approaches, reformers should focus on the Prison Litigation Reform Act, which restricts the ability of incarcerated people to protest their conditions of confinement. John Pfaff Oct 02, 2019 AN ALABAMA MAN FACES THE DEATH PENALTY FOR TWO MURDERS. COULD THEPOLICE BE INVOLVED?
In March, Coley McCraney was arrested and charged with capital murder in the 1999 killings of two teenage girls. But his attorneys say he’s innocent, and are now seeking information related to alleged police involvement in the homicides. Lauren Gill Oct 01, 2019 THE MEDIA FRENZY OVER CHANEL MILLER BOOSTS MASS INCARCERATION Miller's victim impact statement was centered in a recent '60 Minutes' segment on the Brock Turner case. But such statements do not heal victims, and Miller's unfavorable comparison of Turner's sentence to drug offenders only reinforces carceral logic. Meaghan Ybos Sep 30, 2019 WHAT KAMALA HARRIS’S TAKE ON POLICING GETS WRONG Rather than encouraging more faith in the police, true reform requires dismantling the system that empowers them. Alex S. Vitale Sep 27, 2019 A HISTORIC DAY MAY MARK THE BEGINNING OF THE END OF DEATH BY INCARCERATION IN PENNSYLVANIA This month, nine people received commutations from life sentences, and Lt. Gov. John Fetterman is calling for changes to the commutations process to give more people second chances.Joshua Vaughn
DNA TESTING COULD SAVE THIS TEXAS MAN’S LIFE. BUT PROSECUTORS AREOPPOSING IT.
Rodney Reed, set to be executed on Nov. 20, is innocent of a rape and murder, his lawyers say, and untested evidence will prove it. But prosecutors have pushed back, arguing the evidence is contaminated. Lauren Gill Sep 26, 2019 THEIR JUVENILE RECORDS WERE SEALED. DECADES LATER, THEY’VEREAPPEARED.
The Washington State Patrol has added thousands of old sealed juvenile records to a database it shares with law enforcement agencies across the country—erasing for many their chance of a clean slate. Tori Marlan Sep 24, 2019 THIS LOUISIANA GULF WAR VETERAN IS SERVING LIFE FOR SELLING $30 WORTHOF MARIJUANA
Derek Harris awaits arguments in the state Supreme Court about the sentencing, which one judge called ‘unconscionable.’Aaron Morrison
WHY JURIES NEED EXPERT HELP ASSESSING JAILHOUSE INFORMANTS Informants are highly motivated to lie. But jurors don’t always have the information or skills to discern the truth. Alexandra Natapoff Sep 23, 2019 CLIMATE MOVEMENT COULD RADICALLY TRANSFORM CRIMINAL SYSTEM Sarah Lustbader Sep 20, 2019 MISSOURI IS SET TO EXECUTE RUSSELL BUCKLEW. HIS LAWYERS SAY HIS CASEWAS MISHANDLED.
In April, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that his execution, which experts have said will be bloody and gruesome, does not amount to cruel and unusual punishment. But problems with his case started long before that, his attorneys say.Lauren Gill
ALABAMA SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY IS CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT FOR TEENAGERS, LAWSUIT ARGUES Young people convicted as adults face a ‘life sentence’ of registry restrictions, attorneys say. Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg Sep19, 2019
CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT FAILS TO RESOLVE ‘CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS’ CREATED BY POLICE PRIVACY LAWS A narrow ruling on Brady lists ensures that protecting the police will continue to prevail over due process. Kyle C. Barry Sep 18, 2019 WHEN PROSECUTORS BURY POLICE LIES Court records and interviews with former prosecutors show that internal assessments of police dishonesty are rarely memorialized, potentially violating the rights of people charged in criminal cases and sometimes keeping the records of bad cops clean. George Joseph, Ali WinstonSep 17, 2019
IN THIRD DEBATE, DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES CONDEMN MASS INCARCERATION WITHOUT NAMING ITS MAIN DRIVER Candidates offered reforms for people accused of low-level, nonviolent offenses, but more than half of U.S. prisoners have committed aviolent crime.
Aaron Morrison Sep 13, 2019 REPORT PRAISES HIGH SCHOOL IN JAIL BUT FAILS TO ASK WHY KIDS ARELOCKED UP AT ALL
A Pittsburgh public radio piece lacked critical reporting about the many problems with jailing children in adult facilities.Adam H. Johnson
LOUISIANA PROSECUTORS USE THE ‘HABITUAL OFFENDER’ STATUTE TO JAIL PEOPLE FOR LIFE. ATTORNEYS FOR LIFERS ARE FIGHTING BACK. Henri Lyles is challenging his life sentence under a statute that penalizes people for prior convictions. A favorable decision by the state Supreme Court would mean that he and a dozen people sentenced to life could one day be freed. Aaron Morrison Sep 12, 2019 HUNDREDS OF ALABAMA PRISONERS SEE OPPORTUNITY FOR FREEDOM DELAYED AFTER PAROLE HEARINGS CANCELED The parole board failed to comply with a new law about notifying victims, the board’s director said.Lauren Gill
HARRIS COUNTY D.A. SEEKS EXECUTION OF INTELLECTUALLY DISABLED MAN,LAWYER SAYS
Kim Ogg ran as a reform-minded district attorney candidate, but her office has sought two death warrants for Dexter Johnson, whose lawyer says cannot name everyday objects and has an IQ of 70. Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg Sep10, 2019
AN INDIANA WOMAN’S LONG FIGHT FOR JUSTICE In a rare move, a federal court vacated Anastazia Schmid’s murder conviction, saying she’d received ineffective assistance of counsel and had been mentally unfit to stand trial. But Schmid, who’d spent 18 years in prison, remained locked up for three months more. Victoria Law Sep 06, 2019 ‘NO KNOCK’ WARRANTS SPUR WAVE OF CIVIL RIGHTS LAWSUITS IN LITTLEROCK
Police are accused of lying to obtain the warrants to conduct military-style raids on the homes of poor people and people of color.Joshua Vaughn
MEET THE LATINX 19-YEAR-OLD RUNNING FOR SHERIFF IN A MAJORITY-WHITELOUISIANA PARISH
Jose ‘Lil Joe’ Chapa says one way to make Beauregard Parish ‘great again’ is to stop construction of a new jail and divert resources to services that keep people out of lockup altogether. Aaron Morrison Sep 05, 2019 NEW LAWSUIT CLAIMS A SACRAMENTO DEPUTY UNLAWFULLY ARRESTED ACTIVIST WHO PROTESTED CLEARING OF HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT Advocates and homeless people are suing Sacramento County over its treatment of homeless—and the city responded by filing a lawsuit against seven men for being a ‘public nuisance.‘ Meg O'Connor Sep 04, 2019 NEW YORK LAW REMOVES ‘UNNECESSARY’ STEP FOR CHILDREN CHARGED WITHFELONIES
16-year-olds won’t have to reappear in adult criminal court if they’re arrested when youth court isn’t in session. Lauren Gill Sep 03, 2019 ASSUMING GUILT WHILE REPORTING ON MASS ARRESTS Kansas City news outlets called scores of people ‘violent criminals’ based solely on the word of police and the federalgovernment.
Adam H. Johnson
NUMBER OF YOUNG PEOPLE CHARGED IN PHILADELPHIA’S ADULT COURT DROPSSHARPLY
The decline under DA Larry Krasner, who took office in 2018, marks a significant change in juvenile justice in Pennsylvania. Joshua Vaughn Aug 30, 2019 SAN FRANCISCO DESERVES RESTORATIVE JUSTICE Our response to crime should focus on healing and accountability, not punishment and retribution.Chesa Boudin
A PENNSYLVANIA POLICE DEPARTMENT IS ACCUSED OF KLAN INVOLVEMENT ANDDISCRIMINATION
In a civil rights lawsuit, an officer in Allentown claims he was subjected to racial discrimination before he was fired. Joshua Vaughn Aug 29, 2019 BAIL ISN’T SUPPOSED TO BE A PUNISHMENT. WHY DOES THE MEDIA KEEPACTING LIKE IT IS?
How high or low bond is isn’t a measure of how severe the stateconsiders a crime.
Adam H. Johnson Aug 28, 2019 ‘YOU DON’T OWN ME’ At 16, Larry Rosser was imprisoned for killing a woman who sexually and physically abused him. He served 22 years in the California prison system before being released in 2017, after parole commissioners became convinced he was a rehabilitated victim.Aaron Morrison
THE PERSISTENT HISTORY OF EXCLUDING BLACK JURORS IN NORTH CAROLINA A statewide pattern of discrimination in jury selection has gone largely uncorrected, while lives remain in the balance, advocates say. Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg Aug26, 2019
SANDERS AND WARREN JUST RELEASED THE MOST DECARCERAL CRIMINAL JUSTICEPLATFORMS EVER
The 2020 presidential candidates recently unveiled national criminal justice agendas that reimagine public safety and punishment. Aaron Morrison Aug 23, 2019 IN ONE ARIZONA COUNTY, PAY FOR YOUR ANKLE MONITOR OR GO TO JAIL A lawsuit is challenging Mohave County’s practice of charging certain people for mandatory GPS monitoring before trial.Kira Lerner
HOW WARREN AND SANDERS WOULD OVERHAUL THE CRIMINAL SYSTEM Sarah Lustbader Aug 22, 2019 AN ALABAMA MAN ON DEATH ROW SAYS HE IS INNOCENT. WILL HE GET A NEWTRIAL?
In 1998, prosecutors failed to tell the defense that a key witness in Toforest Johnson’s capital murder trial would receive thousands of dollars in reward money for her testimony, Johnson’s attorneys say. Now a Birmingham judge must decide whether their argument has merit.Lauren Gill
ALABAMA’S PRISONS ARE THE MOST CROWDED—IF YOU LOOK AT THE RIGHTDATA
The Bureau of Justice Statistics relies in part on states to self-report prison capacity numbers, which can result in a misleading snapshot of overcrowding in the U.S. Corin Faife Aug 21, 2019 ‘IS THIS THE GUY?’ Police and prosecutors claimed facial recognition technology wasn’t at the center of a shoplifting case, but defense attorneys say it was the sole basis for probable cause to arrest. Mike Hayes Aug 20, 2019 INEQUALITY, NOT VIOLENCE, IS KILLING AMERICANS AT RECORD RATES Media coverage obsessively focuses on homicides, which are at historical lows. Meanwhile, suicides and overdoses skyrocket, quietly driving record declines in American life expectancy. Jonathan Ben-Menachem PAINTING A DISTORTED PICTURE OF CRIME ‘SPIKES’ IN NEW YORK CITY Murder rates are at an all-time low in Brooklyn, but one would hardly know it reading the New York Times. Adam H. Johnson Aug 16, 2019 A NEW MEXICO MAN ACCUSED A DEPUTY OF ‘GESTAPO’-LIKE TRAINING. THENHE WAS ARRESTED.
In Valencia County, a sheriff’s deputy who once faced allegations of excessive force in Albuquerque is accused of assaulting an elderlyman.
Joshua Vaughn
PULLING BACK THE CURTAIN ON BOSTON’S ‘OPERATION CLEAN SWEEP’ Most coverage of police raids targeting homeless people and substance users parroted official—and fraught—talking points. Jonathan Ben-Menachem Aug 15, 2019 CHICAGO POLICE POINTED GUNS AT AND TRAUMATIZED CHILDREN IN BOTCHED RAIDS, LAWSUITS ALLEGE Children as young as 4 years old are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder as a result, the complaints say. Lauren Gill Aug 14, 2019 A NO-HOLDS-BARRED ASSAULT ON PROSECUTORS Attorney General William Barr pushed back against reforms by progressive prosecutors—but perhaps his greatest vitriol was reserved for the Boston DA’s attempt to rein in police. John Pfaff Aug 13, 2019 OAKLAND POLICE HAVE BEEN SYSTEMATICALLY UNDERREPORTING USE OF FORCE A new internal audit shows that officers disproportionately strike, tussle with, and draw guns on Black people but then fail to disclose the incidents in their reports. Darwin BondGraham Aug 12, 2019 LA COUNTY SUPERVISORS TO VOTE ON CANCELING JAIL CONTRACT Black Lives Matter and other advocates have pushed county officials to abandon the $2.2 billion project with McCarthy Builders. Lauren Gill Aug 08, 2019 THE FIRST BENEFICIARY OF A SENTENCE REVIEW UNIT WALKS FREESarah Lustbader
‘SEE HOW QUICKLY THEY BEHAVE ONCE WE PUT OUR FOOT DOWN?’ A federal lawsuit claims that Palo Alto, California, police falsely detained, arrested, and beat a gay Latinx man—then boasted abouttheir brutality.
Joshua Vaughn
SENTENCED TO LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE AT 17 AND DENIED FREEDOM AT 52 Richard Kinder thought he would die in an Alabama prison until the Supreme Court ruled mandatory juvenile life without parole unconstitutional. But last year, despite a judge concluding there was “uncontradicted evidence” that Kinder had worked to rehabilitate himself, the state parole board refused him release. Lauren Gill Aug 07, 2019 LOUISIANA WOMAN SENTENCED TO LIFE FOR ATTEMPTING TO ROB GROCERY STORE WITH TOY GUN SEEKS MERCY Gloria Williams was in her 20s when she was sent to prison for her part in a robbery that turned deadly. After serving nearly five decades, including one decade in solitary confinement, Williams now has a chance at freedom. Victoria Law Aug 06, 2019 CALIFORNIA MAN CHARGED WITH MURDER EVEN THOUGH HE DIDN’T FIRE A SHOT Last year, lawmakers repealed the felony murder rule, which allowed prosecutors to charge defendants with murders they didn‘t commit. Prosecutors are trying to overturn the new law, but AG Xavier Becerra believes that the reform should stand. Darwin BondGraham Aug 05, 2019 PENNSYLVANIA’S TOP COP SAYS HE SUPPORTS CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM. HIS RECORD SUGGESTS OTHERWISE. When it comes to criminal justice, advocates say, Attorney General Josh Shapiro seems intent on maintaining the status quo. Joshua Vaughn Aug 02, 2019 WHAT ICE REVEALS ABOUT ITSELF WHEN IT DETAINS U.S. CITIZENS Sarah Lustbader Aug 01, 2019 UTAH JAIL NURSE FACES NEGLIGENT HOMICIDE CHARGE IN DEATH OF21-YEAR-OLD WOMAN
In 2016, Madison Jensen died from opiate withdrawal at the Duchesne County jail. New court filings allege that jail staff, including its nurse, ignored her rapidly deteriorating health.Lauren Gill
IT’S TIME TO ALLOW PEOPLE WITH FELONY CONVICTIONS TO SERVE ON JURIES Vaidya Gullapalli Jul 31, 2019 STOKING HOSTILITY TOWARD HOMELESS PEOPLE Dozens of reports about an indigent man in Bradenton, Florida, showed the cruel excesses of local news’s homelessness coverage.Adam H. Johnson
IN QUEENS D.A. RACE, CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM IS THE REAL WINNER Establishment candidate Melinda Katz declared a narrow victory in the New York City borough’s district attorney primary, but progressive Tiffany Cabán pushed the race to the left on issues like marijuanaand sex work.
Aaron Morrison Jul 30, 2019 MY YEAR AS A NEW ORLEANS CONSENT DECREE INSIDER The Crescent City is in the final stages of a multimillion-dollar federal police reform process. Here‘s why it and other programs like it fail to achieve real reform.Matthew Nesvet
‘WE’VE GOT ONE IN THE SWEEP’ Three Bronx friends recount their 2012 arrests in the NYPD’s ‘Operation Crew Cut,’ along with their experiences with the court system and incarceration, and reflect on their lives seven yearslater.
Olivia Heffernan
WHEN COPS LIE, SHOULD PROSECUTORS RELY UPON THEIR TESTIMONY AT TRIAL? In California, Texas and Florida, advocates sent letters to district attorneys, demanding that they refuse to work with officers with histories of misconduct. Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg Jul29, 2019
FLORIDA SHERIFFS ARREST HUNDREDS IN ‘TRAFFICKING’ STINGS Offices across the state conduct operations under the guise of saving victims of human trafficking. But the vast majority of people detained, including sex workers, are charged with prostitution. Molly Minta Jul 25, 2019 HOPING FOR A COMMUTATION AFTER 48 YEARS IN A LOUISIANA PRISON Vaidya Gullapalli Jul 24, 2019 IN ALABAMA, DECADES-DELAYED JUSTICE IN A DOUBLE HOMICIDE—OR A BRANDNEW INJUSTICE?
Police in Ozark said they solved the 1999 murders of two teenage girls using a genealogy database. But Coley McCraney‘s attorneys say that the case against their client is far from certain.Lauren Gill
STATES ARE BLOCKING COURTROOM RECORDING. BUT REFORM REQUIRESTRANSPARENCY.
Sarah Lustbader Jul 23, 2019 MEDIA FRAME: STOP QUOTING BILL BRATTON For far too long, the press has leaned on wrong-headed tough-on-crime officials like the former NYPD commissioner when reporting on the criminal legal system. Jonathan Ben-Menachem Jul 22, 2019 DECARCERATION ACTIVIST JANOS MARTON LAUNCHES RUN FOR MANHATTAN D.A. An organizer in the effort to close New York City’s Rikers Island jails is challenging Cyrus Vance Jr., whom he calls ‘the city’sleading jailer.’
Aaron Morrison
SPOTLIGHT: CORY BOOKER’S NEW SENTENCING REFORM BILL IS ABOUTREDEMPTION
Vaidya Gullapalli Jul 19, 2019 MEDIA FRAME: 5 COMMON TACTICS USED TO DISCREDIT REFORM D.A.S The backlash is underway against a recent wave of prosecutors who champion criminal justice reform. Here are some methods of attack.Adam H. Johnson
I WAS SEXUALLY ASSAULTED. AND I BELIEVE INCARCERATING RAPISTS DOESN’T HELP VICTIMS LIKE ME. The carceral system fails to heal victims and perpetuates trauma by caging human beings. It‘s time to try something else. Stefanie Mundhenk HarrelsonJul 18, 2019
SPOTLIGHT: DANIEL PANTALEO WON’T FACE FEDERAL CHARGES. WILL HE BEFIRED?
Vaidya Gullapalli Jul 17, 2019 OAKLAND POLICE CONDUCTED AN ILLEGAL SEARCH AND THEN LIED ABOUT IT. BUT THEY MAY BE SPARED FROM DISCIPLINE. A California Superior Court ruling gives officers accused of misconduct access to investigator notes and files while cases are inprogress.
Darwin BondGraham
MEDIA FRAME: FENTANYL PANIC IS WORSENING THE OVERDOSE CRISIS Sensational and false news reports about the drug are pushing lawmakers to enact harmful policies. Zachary A. Siegel, Maia SzalavitzJul 16, 2019
THE STRUGGLE TO BE TRANS IN MINNESOTA’S SEX OFFENDER PROGRAM Four transgender women say clinicians and staff deny them gender-affirming care and see their identity as in conflict with sexoffender treatment.
Sessi Kuwabara Blanchard Jul 15,2019
MEDIA FRAME: CHICAGO ‘BEAN’ GRAFFITI OUTRAGE PRIORITIZES PROPERTYOVER PEOPLE
Outlets ran over 200 articles covering the vandalism. The outsize attention will likely damage young lives. Adam H. Johnson Jul 11, 2019 ALASKA PASSED SWEEPING CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORMS. ITS NEW GOVERNOR JUSTUNRAVELED THEM.
Republican Mike Dunleavy was elected on a platform to ‘Make Alaska Safe Again’ and has rolled back recent changes.Zachary A. Siegel
SPOTLIGHT: THE DANGERS OF GANG DATABASES AND GANG POLICING Vaidya Gullapalli Jul 03, 2019 SPOTLIGHT: BIDEN AND THE TOUGH-ON-CRIME ELECTION FALLACY Sarah Lustbader Jul 02, 2019 MEDIA FRAME: A ‘WAR ON COPS’ NARRATIVE WITHOUT EVIDENCE ABC News claims anti-police violence is on the rise but offers nodata.
Adam H. Johnson
SAN FRANCISCO IS PAYING FOR JAMAL TRULOVE’S WRONGFUL CONVICTION.WILL KAMALA HARRIS?
Police and prosecutors framed a father of four in a 2007 murder case with local and national political implications.Kyle C. Barry
NEW ORLEANS YOUTH CRIME: THE EPIDEMIC THAT WASN’T In rhetoric reminiscent of the ‘superpredator‘ scare of the 1990s, the New Orleans District Attorney warned of ‘a brazen population of delinquent teens.‘ But advocates and crime analysts alike say the data doesn't support his fearmongering claims about kids and crime. Mike Hayes Jun 27, 2019 MEDIA FRAME: TIME TO BAN RIDE-ALONG POLICE TV Reality shows like ‘The First 48,’ ‘Live PD,’ and ‘Cops’ are interfering in legal cases, exploiting people of color, andthreatening lives.
Adam H. Johnson Jun 24, 2019 FREMONT POLICE SAID A MAN WIELDED A DEADLY WEAPON WHEN THEY SHOT HIM. BUT RECORDS REVEAL HE WAVED A TENT POLE. The police union’s newly elected vice president led the investigation into the shooting that cleared Officer William Gourleyof any wrongdoing.
Darwin BondGraham Jun 21, 2019 THE CARCERAL FEMINISM OF LINDA FAIRSTEIN A nearly 30-year-old New York Times Magazine profile of the infamous prosecutor may reveal as much about Linda Fairstein as Ava DuVernay‘s acclaimed new Netflix series. Meaghan Ybos Jun 19, 2019 MEDIA FRAME: USING GUN FEARS TO DEMAGOGUE BAIL REFORM Adam H. Johnson Jun 14, 2019 SPOTLIGHT: PROSECUTING LIFESAVERS EXPOSES DEEP PROBLEMS WITH LAWS ANDTHEIR ENFORCEMENT
Sarah Lustbader Jun 11, 2019 A TROUBLED VIRGINIA JAIL LOOKS TO ADD GUARDS, BUT ADVOCATES PUSH FORDECARCERATION
As the Hampton Roads Regional Jail proposes spending $7 million for 113 new guards, advocates renew calls for officials to improve conditions—and an Appeal analysis suggests that the jail could save millions by incarcerating fewer people with mental illness. Aaron Morrison, Jonathan Ben-Menachem BODY CAMERAS AND TASERS RAKE IN BILLIONS FOR AXON, BUT THEY’RE NO PANACEA FOR POLICE VIOLENCE The popularity of Axon’s tech soared after the police killing of Michael Brown in 2014, but it may be doing more harm than good in protecting people from excessive force. Jonathan Ben-Menachem Jun 10, 2019 DATA RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT HARRIS COUNTY D.A.’S PUSH FOR MORELAWYERS
Records show Kim Ogg’s office appeared to misrepresent felony prosecutor caseloads in its $21 million budget request.Keri Blakinger
MEDIA FRAME: STOKING PANIC OVER ‘FLOOD’ OF ‘JUVENILES’ IN BALTIMORE’S INNER HARBOR The sensationalist coverage of a handful of fights highlights local media’s misplaced priorities. Adam H. Johnson Jun 07, 2019 PLEADING GUILTY TO GET OUT OF JAIL The criminalization of poverty in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, has led to a staggering increase in incarcerated people, all at a huge cost for defendants and taxpayers alike. Joshua Vaughn Jun 06, 2019 SPOTLIGHT: SUPPORTING SOLITARY FOR MANAFORT MEANS SUPPORTING IT FOREVERYONE
Vaidya Gullapalli Jun 05, 2019 INDEFINITE SOLITARY CONFINEMENT IN NEW YORK IS FINALLY PUT TO THE TEST Court challenges and a sweeping reform bill are offering hope to men trapped in isolation for decades. Joshua Manson Jun 03, 2019 NEW ORLEANS POLICE APPEAR TO USE SURVEILLANCE TO INITIATEINVESTIGATIONS
City officials say its vast network of cameras are simply a tool when responding to 911 calls and complaints of criminal activity. But several cases suggest the system serves an additional purpose.Mike Hayes
AN ALABAMA WOMAN GOT PREGNANT WHILE IN JAIL. SHE HAS NO MEMORY OFHAVING SEX.
Since 2017, LaToni Daniel has been incarcerated pretrial in a capital murder case. During that time, Daniel became pregnant, and she just delivered a baby boy. But as she brings in new life, she also facesthe death penalty.
Lauren Gill May 31, 2019 THE APPEAL PODCAST: CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM HITS ROADBLOCK IN ARIZONA With Caroline Isaacs of the American Friends Service Committee Adam H. Johnson May 30, 2019 IT’S TIME TO MAKE CHICAGO POLICE PAY FOR THEIR MISDEEDS—OUT OFTHEIR OWN BUDGET
Chicago hands out millions in settlements and legal fees for police misconduct. Its newly inaugurated mayor should take a dollar from the department’s budget for every dollar the city spends settling withits victims.
Jonathan Ben-Menachem May 29, 2019 COMMANDER OF MAJOR CALIFORNIA NARCOTICS TASK FORCE FIRED FOR A STRINGOF THEFTS AND LIES
Newly released records show that task force members faced allegations of theft and questionable overtime, all under the watch of a commander later fired for lying as the misconduct was investigated. Darwin BondGraham May 23, 2019 D.C. SHOWS MERCY FOR PEOPLE WHO COMMITTED CRIMES AS CHILDREN, BUT PROSECUTORS ARE FIGHTING BACK U.S. attorneys in D.C. have opposed the resentencing of all 14 people who have petitioned for early release under a local law.Kira Lerner
NEW DATA REVEALS THE RACIAL DISPARITIES IN PENNSYLVANIA’S MONEY BAILINDUSTRY
Despite accounting for less than 12 percent of the state’s adult population, roughly 40 percent of all bail bonds were issued in cases involving a Black defendant. Joshua Vaughn May 22, 2019 NEW YORK PRISONS OFFER ‘TOUGH LOVE’ BOOT CAMP PROGRAMS. BUT PRISONERS SAY THEY’RE ‘TORTURE’ AND ‘HELL.’ Prisoners can shave time off their sentences by participating in shock incarceration programs. More than a dozen former shock prisoners say that comes at a steep cost. Keri Blakinger May 21, 2019 STATE TROOPER SAID MAN TOOK BAG FROM FENTANYL SUPPLIER, BUT VIDEO DEMONSTRATED THAT THE DEAL NEVER WENT DOWN Trooper testimony inconsistent with video and misconduct among state and local law enforcement in New Hampshire and Massachusetts have caused at least 15 drug cases to unravel. Zachary A. Siegel May 20, 2019 JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY’S PRIVATE POLICE FORCE WOULD BRING MORE COPS TO AN OVERPOLICED BALTIMORE A former Baltimore officer says the Hopkins plan should be viewed skeptically because campus police have a history of deadly force and its officials come from troubled Baltimore Police units. Larry Smith May 16, 2019 INCARCERATION IS ALWAYS A POLICY FAILURE Instead of building ‘humane jails’ to replace Rikers Island, let’s push the NYPD to cut down on arrests. Jonathan Ben-Menachem May 15, 2019 BRONX COPS CELEBRATED A COPWATCHER’S ARREST. THEY HAD NO IDEA THEY WERE CAUGHT ON TAPE. New York City just paid Jose LaSalle of the Copwatch Patrol Unit nearly $900,000 over claims of false arrest related to the 2016 incident, but his fight for justice is far from over. Ashoka Jegroo May 09, 2019 A WHITE WOMAN WAS CAUGHT ON TAPE SELLING HEROIN, BUT POLICE ARRESTED ABLACK WOMAN INSTEAD
In a case of mistaken identity, Jada Noone was arrested by Pennsylvania State Police, spent 15 days in jail and faced a felony drug case before charges were dismissed. She’s now suing over herfalse arrest.
Joshua Vaughn May 07, 2019 POLICE IN CALIFORNIA ARE KILLING SLEEPING PEOPLE The fatal shooting by Oakland police of an unconscious man as he woke is putting pressure on the California department to rethink its deployment of force. Darwin BondGraham May 02, 2019 ‘THEY SENT HIM TO HIS CELL TO DIE’ Rashad McNulty entered a guilty plea in a series of federal gang indictments in New York that have been criticized as racist and overly punitive. But before McNulty was even sentenced, he died in jail. Now, his family is seeking justice. Aaron Morrison May 01, 2019 DEPUTIES ‘TORTURED, THEN KILLED’ MAN AT GEORGIA JAIL ON ‘TASER TUESDAY,’ ATTORNEYS SAY Antonio May, a 32 year-old father of three, died in the Fulton County Jail in September after deputies pepper-sprayed and shot him with aTaser.
Aaron Morrison Apr 25, 2019 HOUSTON COP WHO LED BOTCHED DRUG RAID OVERWHELMINGLY ARRESTED BLACKPEOPLE
After a drug bust involving Houston narcotics officer Gerald Goines turned deadly, questions are being raised about how he operated during his time on the force. Mike Hayes Apr 23, 2019 ‘IT WAS ALMOST WORSE THAN THE INCIDENT ITSELF’ New NYPD data show that in 2018 the department closed nearly 500 rape cases due to an alleged lack of participation from victims and had a declining clearance rate for rape, raising questions over its handlingof sexual assault.
Meg O'Connor
CALIFORNIA CITIES HAVE SHREDDED DECADES OF POLICE MISCONDUCT RECORDS Police union lawsuits delayed many local governments from complying with a new transparency law. In the meantime, some cities havedestroyed files.
Darwin BondGraham Apr 17, 2019 ‘THEY’RE TRYING TO KILL US IN HERE’ At Virginia’s Hampton Roads Regional Jail, reform has been slow even after high-profile tragedies including the death of mentally disabled man incarcerated who allegedly stole $5 worth of snacks. Aaron Morrison Apr 16, 2019 ‘CAGE THE BASTARDS’ Former prosecutor and Fox News host Jeanine Pirro inspires Trump’s rhetoric of dehumanization and incarceration. Kyle C. Barry Apr 10, 2019 ALABAMA WOMAN FACES LIFE SENTENCE FOR KILLING MAN WHO ALLEGEDLY RAPEDHER
In 2018, Brittany Smith killed a man who she said brutally raped her. Smith was charged with murder and she now faces life in prison as well as challenges getting adequate treatment at a state psychiatrichospital.
Lauren Gill
‘PLEASE HELP ME, SIR’ In September, Marcus Smith experienced a mental health crisis and begged Greensboro, North Carolina police for help. Instead, they tied him with restraints. Moments later, his body went lifeless. William C. Anderson Apr 09, 2019 HOUSTON HOMICIDE UNDER NEW SCRUTINY AFTER MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS ABOUTDEA AGENT EMERGE
In 2000, Lamar Burks was convicted of murder and given a 70-year sentence. But the federal indictment of a DEA agent and witnesses who say Burks is innocent have raised new questions about his case. Mike Hayes Apr 03, 2019 DID BALTIMORE COPS ‘CONSPIRE’ TO SUPPRESS EVIDENCE, LEADING TO A WRONGFUL MURDER CONVICTION? Attorneys for a man exonerated in a Baltimore murder say detectives suppressed exculpatory evidence and that the police’s homicide unit has a pattern and practice of similar conduct in decades of cases. Amelia McDonell-Parry Apr 02, 2019 BLACK MISSISSIPPIANS SAY SHERIFF’S OFFICE DEPUTIES ‘TERRORIZE THE COMMUNITY LIKE A GANG WOULD’ Attorneys and advocates call for change in Madison County after the deaths of three Black people at its jail and because of what they allege is a system of roadblocks targeting Black residents. Aaron Morrison Mar 27, 2019 FLORIDA WOMAN FACED 10 YEARS FOR ‘METH’ THAT WAS ‘JUST A ROCK’ A scandal of falsified drug arrests is spreading at a Florida sheriff’s office that has also spent more than $1.33 million settling excessive force lawsuits and is at the center of the increasingly troubled Robert Kraft case. Meg O'Connor Mar 26, 2019 IN EL PASO JAILS, IMMIGRANTS ARE INCARCERATED FAR PAST THEIR RELEASEDATES
In the deep blue home of Beto O’Rourke, attorneys and advocates are questioning the county’s multi-million-dollar contract to detain migrants and refugees. Debbie Nathan Mar 20, 2019 WOMEN SAY PENNSYLVANIA COP COMMITTED SEXUAL ASSAULTS, RECORDED THEM ONBODY CAMERA
Their claims are part of a federal lawsuit; other women say they, too, were assaulted and the officer now faces a raft of criminal charges. Joshua Vaughn Mar 19, 2019 MIAMI POLICE ARREST THOUSANDS OF HOMELESS BUT LEAVE RAPES, ROBBERIESUNSOLVED
In 2017, over 2,000 homeless people were arrested on charges including drinking in public and panhandling. That same year, roughly 1,400 people were arrested in Miami-Dade County for rape, murder, androbbery.
Meg O'Connor Mar 18, 2019 FEDERAL PRISONS OFFICIAL USED PRISON LABOR FOR WORK ON HIS CHURCH The Bureau of Prisons’ South Central regional director utilized incarcerated people from a Texas prison to work on a landscaping project at his church. Lauren Gill Mar 12, 2019 IN TEXAS, D.A. WHO PROMISED REFORM NOW FACES CHALLENGE FROM THE LEFT Audia Jones pledges to tackle ‘brokenness in the system’ by unseating Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg. Roxanna Asgarian Mar 07, 2019 CONFESSION THROWS PRISON UPRISING TRIALS INTO CHAOS A judge excluded a confession that exonerated defendants in one trial related to a Delaware prison uprising, but a pair of defendants were nonetheless acquitted, promising further problems for prosecutors. Ella Fassler Mar 05, 2019 POLICE UNIONS FIGHT TO RESCIND PAROLE FOR FORMER BLACK PANTHER In April 2018, Herman Bell was paroled after spending 45 years in prison in a case involving the shooting deaths of two police officers. Now, New York police unions and the widow of one of the slain officers are challenging the decision in court. Victoria Law Feb 26, 2019 CHICAGO COP’S SENTENCE FOR KILLING A BLACK TEENAGER IS ‘EXCEPTIONALLY SHORT’ Jason Van Dyke’s sentence for the 2014 murder of Laquan McDonald is approximately half the average sentence for a person convicted of second-degree murder in Cook County, Illinois. Rob Arthur Feb 25, 2019 INSIDE ‘THE STOP-AND-FRISK CAPITAL OF AMERICA’ Claims including sexual assault of a woman with mental illness to lying in reports haunt the Miami Gardens police; payouts in federal lawsuits have cost the city's taxpayers at least $3.5 million. Meg O'Connor Feb 21, 2019 CALIFORNIA POLICE UNIONS FIGHT NEW STATE LAW PROMISING TRANSPARENCY ONMISCONDUCT RECORDS
Senate Bill 1421 requires law enforcement agencies to make public investigative records of officer-involved shootings and uses of force resulting in great bodily harm. But law enforcement unions argue that the law threatens the privacy of their members. Darwin BondGraham Feb 20, 2019 JUSTICE IN AMERICA EPISODE 16: A CONVERSATION WITH KIM FOXX Josie and Clint talk to Cook County's head prosecutor. Josie Duffy Rice, Clint Smith MAN EXONERATED IN MURDER, BUT DIAGNOSED WITH TERMINAL CANCER AS HEAWAITED FREEDOM
William J. Richards was cleared in the death of his wife. But he says he was the victim of medical neglect while he was behind bars, which led to a cancer diagnosis becoming terminal. Now he's suing. Erika Stallings Feb 19, 2019 JUSTICE IN AMERICA EPISODE 15: CRIME, JUSTICE, AND THE MEDIA Josie and Clint discuss the power and pitfalls of crime reporting with Wesley Lowery of the Washington Post. Josie Duffy Rice, Clint SmithFeb 13, 2019
BAIL ACTIVIST JAILED FOR TRYING TO HELP WHEN COPS CONFRONTED MAN IN MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS Colorado-based attorney and bail activist Elisabeth Epps was just released after serving a short jail stint related to a 2015 encounter with Aurora Police. The experience gave her a new understanding of the experiences of the people she has bailed out. Aaron Morrison Feb 12, 2019 I ARRESTED A MAN ON MARIJUANA CHARGES. THEN HE TOOK HIS OWN LIFE. A former Baltimore Police officer says it’s time for the department to stop wasteful, harmful marijuana arrests, especially after Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby’s announcement that her office would not prosecute cases of possession. Larry Smith Feb 11, 2019 SENTENCED TO LIFE AT 16 IN SLAYING OF MAN WHO SHE SAID PULLED A GUN ONHER
In 1996, Michele Benjamin was sentenced to life without parole for killing a man who she said solicited her for sex and menaced her with a weapon in New Orleans. A Supreme Court decision led her to be re-sentenced to life with a chance at parole in 2016. Today, a parole hearing brings the possibility of freedom.Josie Duffy Rice
COPS CLAIMED SHE SET UP A DRUG DEAL. NOW SHE’S BEING PROSECUTED FORMANSLAUGHTER.
A Florida woman with substance use disorder allegedly brokered a drug sale that ended in a fatal overdose; she faces 15 years in prison. Zachary A. Siegel Feb 05, 2019 ‘I’VE MADE MY SHARE OF WRONGS, BUT I HAVEN’T KILLED NO ONE’ California amended its felony murder law, which holds accomplices responsible for murder. But reform won’t reach a man sentenced to death in a deadly robbery—even though he was never accused of firinga shot.
Maura Ewing Feb 04, 2019 ‘I FEEL THE OXYGEN GOING OUT OF MY MOUTH’ In October 2018, Marshall Miles was taken into custody by Sacramento County sheriff‘s deputies outside a convenience store. About 14 hours later, he was dead. Aaron Morrison Jan 31, 2019 INCARCERATED TRANSGENDER WOMEN’S LIVES MUST MATTER As Kamala Harris begins her presidential run, her move to block gender affirming surgery for an incarcerated transgender woman deserves scrutiny, especially as new cases highlighting the struggle for the rights of imprisoned trans women emerge. Zoé Samudzi Jan 28, 2019 EXPANSION OF LARGEST JAIL SYSTEM IN THE UNITED STATES MUST END Los Angeles County’s jail system incarcerates tens of thousands of people at a multi-billion dollar cost. The communities most impacted by mass incarceration have had enough. Patrisse Cullors, Lex StepplingJan 23, 2019
MAN CHARGED WITH HOMICIDE FOR SHARING DRUGS WITH WOMAN WHO LATER DIED Under Pennsylvania’s drug delivery resulting in death statute, a man faces up to 40 years in prison for sharing heroin with a woman whooverdosed.
Joshua Vaughn Jan 15, 2019 THE ‘FAILURE TO APPEAR’ FALLACY Prosecutors denounce bail reform efforts when people miss court dates, but ‘failure to appear’ rates obscure the fact that many who miss court aren’t on the run. Ethan Corey, Puck Lo Jan09, 2019
DISABLED PRISONERS DECRY TREATMENT IN NEW YORK’S PRISON SYSTEM Prisoners in the state’s Regional Medical Units allege that they are being denied access to essential programs and services like lawlibraries.
Keri Blakinger Jan 08, 2019 CAGING KIDS IS AN AMERICAN TRADITION Trump didn’t start it, but we can end it. Ethan Brown Jan 03, 2019 OVERDOSES, RIOTS, AND ESCAPES ROIL A RURAL KENTUCKY JAIL The Boyd County Detention Center has been consumed in chaos, even as the DOJ investigates it. Now, the community is pinning hopes for reform on a new jailer. Zachary A. Siegel Jan 02, 2019 IN 2018, ACTIVISTS TRANSFORMED ‘TOUGH ON CRIME’ FROM ASSET TOLIABILITY
A series of electoral victories signals a nationwide shift. Daniel Nichanian Dec 24, 2018 BACK-TO-BACK JAIL DEATHS ROCK SMALL UTAH COUNTY Two women died at the Duchesne County Jail in the span of about one week in 2016. Now their families are suing in federal court. Lauren Gill Dec 20, 2018 OKLAHOMA GOVERNOR RELEASES 21 PRISONERS SHUT OUT OF DRUG SENTENCINGREFORM
But more than 1,100 others are still serving sentences that voters decided were too harsh. Kira Lerner Dec 19, 2018 IS THE NYPD’S SPECIAL VICTIMS DIVISION PREMATURELY CLOSING SEXUALASSAULT CASES?
Advocates say victims are being pressured to sign ‘withdrawal’ forms to quickly close investigations and protect the department fromlegal liability.
Meg O'Connor Dec 17, 2018 PENNSYLVANIA MAN CHARGED WITH HOMICIDE WASN’T EVEN PRESENT WHENVICTIM WAS KILLED
Darius Jacob Taylor wasn’t in the state when a robbery he was allegedly involved with ended in murder. But because of the felony murder rule, he’s charged with criminal homicide and faces lifeimprisonment.
Joshua Vaughn Dec 13, 2018 BLACK LIVES MATTER DC’S BATTLE TO END STOP-AND-FRISK IN THENATION’S CAPITAL
Advocates say the city has dragged its feet on legislation meant to ensure transparency on the police practice, and that data released so far—from 2010 to 2016, nearly 82 percent of stops involved Black people—signals that it’s time to end stop-and-frisk entirely. Ella Fassler Dec 03, 2018 IMMIGRANT WHO FLED GANGS AND TORTURE CHALLENGES ICE DETAINERS Attorneys for a Honduran woman are suing over the widespread jailhouse practice of honoring ICE requests to hold incarcerated immigrants forpickup.
Debbie Nathan
GEORGIA WOMAN ENDURED ARREST, MILLION-DOLLAR BOND, AND MONTHS OF JAIL OVER ‘METH’ THAT WAS ACTUALLY COTTON CANDY A notoriously unreliable roadside drug test administered by Monroe County sheriff's deputies led to Dasha Fincher being charged with methamphetamine trafficking. Lauren Gill Nov 27, 2018 IN A PENNSYLVANIA COUNTY, BLACK CHILDREN ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY CHARGED IN ADULT COURT In 2016 and 2017, more than 80 percent of children charged as adults by the Allegheny County district attorney were Black.Joshua Vaughn
BLACK MEN DISPROPORTIONATELY REPRESENTED ON SEX OFFENDER REGISTRIES Even though it’s unlikely that they commit sexual assault at higher rates than other ethnic or racial groups, nearly one of every 100 Black men is on a sex offender registry, a rate double that of whitemen.
Debbie Nathan Nov 15, 2018 THE APPEAL PODCAST: REAL REFORM VS. FAUX REFORM With Appeal senior staff reporter, and co-host of the Justice in America podcast, Josie Duffy Rice.Adam H. Johnson
IS A PHILADELPHIA AGENCY’S SEIZURE OF VEHICLES A NEW FORM OF CIVILASSET FORFEITURE?
The city’s experiment with civil asset forfeiture was supposed to end, but the practices of its parking agency and some in state law enforcement suggest that police may be turning to other forms of property confiscation. Ryan Briggs Nov 14, 2018 BOSTON’S NEW D.A. PUSHES BACK AGAINST PROSECUTORS’ ‘PUNISHMENT-CENTRIC’ POINT OF VIEW Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins’s promise to decline to prosecute several offenses is a rejection of the punitive tradition of prosecutors and perhaps signals a new kind of reform that spurns criminal justice as a solution to public health problems.John Pfaff
NORTH CAROLINA SHERIFF CRITICIZED FOR UNLEASHING K-9 DOGS ON BLACK PEOPLE FACES RE-ELECTION Advocates say that Sheriff Donnie Harrison is unfit for a fifth term because of such abusive practices as well as his office's cooperationwith ICE.
George Joseph Nov 02, 2018 A TRUMP FAVORITE FOR HIS HARDLINE ANTI-IMMIGRATION STANCE, MARYLAND SHERIFF NOW FACES RE-ELECTION Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins seeks a fourth term as critics blast him for a record that includes poor jail conditions, in-custody suicides, and the deaths of two young people at the hands of hisdeputies.
Raven Rakia Oct 31, 2018 SOLITARY CONFINEMENT, JAIL DEATHS ROCK RACE FOR SHERIFF IN CALIFORNIA In Santa Clara County, incarcerated people, and a former undersheriff challenging six-term sheriff Laurie Smith, have turned conditions of confinement into a potent electoral issue. Victoria Law Oct 29, 2018 ADVOCATES SAY BROOKLYN D.A.’S OFFICE IS PROSECUTING TRANSGENDER PEOPLE IN SELF-DEFENSE CASES Decision-making by prosecutors in such cases, says one attorney, ‘compounds, entrenches, and ultimately authorizes the initial act of violence by prosecuting the victim.’ Aviva Stahl Oct 24, 2018 SECRETIVE CAMPUS COPS PATROL ALREADY OVERPOLICED NEIGHBORHOODS Campus police forces have become more professionalized, but critics say they operate behind a veil of secrecy and often exceed theirjurisdiction.
Ryan Briggs Oct 15, 2018 CASH BAIL YIELDS A NEW CASUALTY A Texas jail suicide involving a woman who couldn’t make bail in a shoplifting case highlights of the plight of pretrial detainees withmental illness.
Lauren Gill Oct 12, 2018 THE APPEAL PODCAST: THE CRUELTY OF FELONY MURDER LAWS With Appeal contributor Katie Rose Quandt. Adam H. Johnson Oct 04, 2018 CHICAGO MAYOR RAHM EMANUEL WON’T SEEK A THIRD TERM. THESE MOVEMENTSARE A BIG REASON.
Protesters blasting everything from punitive prosecutors to police brutality should be remembered for their role in upsetting the Windy City's political status quo. Kelly Hayes Oct 02, 2018 ‘WORSE THAN GUANTÁNAMO’ Dozens of former detainees at the Gwinnett County jail in Georgia claim they were subjected to brutality at the hands of its RapidResponse Team.
Kira Lerner Oct 01, 2018 CLAIMS OF RACISM AND BRUTALITY DOG LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF‘DEPUTY GANGS’
A lawsuit brought by a Compton resident detailing an alleged beating by deputies is just one of nearly three dozen federal civil rights lawsuits alleging brutality and racial bias at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. George Joseph, Raven Rakia and Ethan Corey Sep 28,2018
HOUSE OF CARDS
‘Cold case’ playing cards were just introduced into Delaware prisons in hopes of producing tips on unsolved homicides—but critics warn that informants cultivated behind bars can be dangerouslyunreliable.
Lauren Gill Sep 27, 2018 IN ONE PENNSYLVANIA COUNTY, RAPE VICTIMS RARELY FIND JUSTICE Since 2015, police in Adams County have taken dozens of reports of rape, yet charges were filed in just two cases. Joshua Vaughn Sep 25, 2018 CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IN THE UNITED STATES: EXPLAINED Jessica Brand, Callie HellerSep 24, 2018
IN WASHINGTON STATE, IT’S NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO PROSECUTE POLICEKILLINGS
This fall, however, an initiative goes to voters that would change the law on deadly force by the police, which has led to no officer there being convicted of wrongfully killing someone in the line of duty inmore than 30 years.
Mike Faulk Sep 20, 2018 THE INCALCULABLE COSTS OF MASS INCARCERATION Prisons carry enormous, perhaps impossible to measure social costs—but when assessing the system fiscally, reformers should focus on staffing salaries instead of the number of incarcerated people.John Pfaff
THE APPEAL PODCAST EPISODE 14: THE PRISON-TO-SCHOOL PIPELINE With activist and scholar Danny Murillo. Adam H. Johnson Sep 13, 2018 A GRAND JURY INDICTED AN ALABAMA POLICE OFFICER FOR MURDER. THEN A MAYOR CAME TO HIS DEFENSE. Jeffery Parker was shot to death by a police officer in his Huntsville home. A grand jury handed up an indictment for murder, but the mayor and City Council appear to be throwing their support behind theofficer.
Lauren Gill Sep 10, 2018 A NEW POWER FOR PROSECUTORS IS ON THE HORIZON—REDUCING HARSHSENTENCES
Legislation in California would provide a direct route to resentencing, and a new tool for activists. Kyle C. Barry Sep 07, 2018 LOUISIANA ATTORNEY GENERAL MAY RUN FOR GOVERNOR BY FEARMONGERING OVERCRIMINAL JUSTICE
Attorney General Jeff Landry has taken a number of extreme positions on policing and sentencing in response to reform. Kira Lerner Sep 06, 2018 NEW YORK WOMAN IMPRISONED FOR DEFENDING HERSELF FROM ABUSER SEEKSMERCY
Jacqueline Smalls was sentenced to 15 years in prison for killing a boyfriend whose ‘hands were his weapons.’ She now joins the ranks of criminalized survivors seeking clemency from Governor Cuomo. Victoria Law Sep 05, 2018 PENNSYLVANIA PROSECUTORS PURSUE CHARGES FOR PEOPLE WHO FALL BEHIND ON RENT-TO-OWN PAYMENTS The state’s “theft of leased property” statute allows prosecutors to seek felony charges for Pennsylvanians who miss payments on rental items.Joshua Vaughn
JUSTICE IN AMERICA EPISODE 7: THE NEW PROGRESSIVE PROSECUTORS? After Tuesday’s primary victories for reform candidates, defining a progressive agenda for prosecutors is more pressing than ever. Rashad Robinson joins Josie and Clint. Josie Duffy Rice, Clint Smith THE ENDLESS PUNISHMENT OF CIVIL COMMITMENT Prosecutors can subject those convicted of sexual offenses—and sometimes, those with no conviction at all—to an indefinite period of civil punishment at the end of their criminal sentence. Guy Hamilton-Smith Sep 04, 2018 AS NATIONAL PRISON STRIKE CONTINUES, INCARCERATED PEOPLE FACERETALIATION
Now in its second week, a strike staged by prisoners over poor conditions, low wages, and other issues is resulting in consequences, including harsh conduct reports and placements in solitaryconfinement.
Raven Rakia Aug 31, 2018 IN PENNSYLVANIA, DEFENDANTS PAY A FEE JUST TO PLEAD GUILTY The ‘plea fee’ stems from a state law passed in the 1980s and can cost nearly $200, depending on the county. Joshua Vaughn Aug 29, 2018 CASE OF INTELLECTUALLY DISABLED TEEN FALSELY ACCUSED OF SEX OFFENSE REVEALS REGISTRY FLAWS Before Edgar Coker was exonerated in a rape case, he underwent therapy meant to prevent sexual reoffenses. Thousands of kids involved in sexual offenses are forced into therapies like “relapse prevention” that experts say are ineffective. Joseph Darius Jaafari Aug 27, 2018 PROSECUTOR PURSUES MURDER CHARGE FOR WOMAN WHO DEFENDED HERSELF FROMABUSER
Jacqueline Dixon shot her husband to death in Alabama, "Stand Your Ground" state, after she said he charged at her. He had a history ofdomestic violence.
William C. Anderson Aug 23, 2018 NOTORIOUSLY BRUTAL, RACIST PLAINCLOTHES POLICING MAKES A RETURN INBALTIMORE
After the Gun Trace Task Force scandal rocked the police department, plainclothes policing was spurned. But a recently resigned commissioner championed plainclothes units, a decision the department seems to be sticking with. Larry Smith Aug 22, 2018 A TROUBLED FEDERAL PRISON UNIT GETS NEW LIFE IN A DIFFERENT STATE Instead of changing its conditions and practices, The Bureau of Prisons is simply moving a problem-plagued federal prison unit in Pennsylvania to Illinois. Victoria Law Aug 21, 2018 DEFUND THE BALTIMORE POLICE A former Baltimore cop questions how a department with a nearly half-billion-dollar budget that is riven by rampant corruption and brutality, bloated overtime spending, and unaccounted for patrol officers can continue to justify its existence Larry Smith Aug 15, 2018 MILWAUKEE CANDIDATES CLASH IN RACE TO SUCCEED THE INFAMOUS SHERIFFCLARKE
Several candidates are vying to become Milwaukee Sheriff in the wake of Sheriff David Clarke's resignation last fall. But will they truly spurn his legacy of jail deaths and cooperation with ICE? Raven Rakia Aug 10, 2018 ST. LOUIS COUNTY COULD OUST THE PROSECUTOR WHO HELPED IGNITE FERGUSONPROTESTS
His opponent in Tuesday’s primary helped establish new police accountability and court reforms in Ferguson after the police shootingof Michael Brown.
Amanda Sakuma Aug 06, 2018 FAILURE-TO-COMPLY ARRESTS REVEAL FLAWS IN SEX OFFENDER REGISTRIES In one Pennsylvania county, more than three times as many people on the registry were charged in 2016 with failing to follow registry requirements than were charged with a new sexual offense Joshua Vaughn Aug 01, 2018 JUSTICE IN AMERICA EPISODE 2: THE 94% — PLEA DEALS A podcast from The Appeal, featuring Josie Duffy Rice and Clint SmithIII.
Josie Duffy Rice, Clint Smith AFTER HEARING CONCERNS ABOUT ICE, TEXAS SHERIFF RAN APPARENT TRAFFIC STING THAT LED TO DEPORTATION PROCEEDINGS A community group met with the Bastrop County sheriff in an effort to build trust between the sheriff’s office and the immigrant community. Then, the sheriff ran a sting that led to more than one dozen arrestees being handed over to ICE. Michael Arria Jul 31, 2018 US ATTORNEY’S OFFICE THAT PROSECUTED INAUGURATION DAY PROTESTERS HAS HISTORY OF MISCONDUCT FINDINGS Prosecutors on the "J20" case faced grave allegations of misconduct after withholding exculpatory evidence contained in videos from defense attorneys. But this is far from the first time that this office has found itself in hot water. Jessica Brand, Ethan BrownJul 30, 2018
NEW ORLEANS WOMAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR KILLING ABUSIVE HUSBAND IS GRANTED NEW TRIAL Catina Curley suffered physical abuse at the hands of her husband for more than a decade. When she turned a revolver on him, she was charged with murder and sentenced to life. Now, thanks to a court ruling, she has a chance at freedom. Josie Duffy Rice Jul 27, 2018 DRUG TESTING ORGANIZATIONS SAVE LIVES, SO WHY HAVEN’T RAVE AND CONCERT ORGANIZERS EMBRACED THEM? Groups like the Loop and DanceSafe test drugs like Ecstasy and warn users of high dosages and adulterants, but federal legislation from the early 2000s has live music promoters wary of their brand of harmreduction.
Zachary A. Siegel Jul 25, 2018 JUSTICE IN AMERICA EPISODE 1: JUSTICE FOR THE RICH, MONEY BAIL Introducing a new podcast from The Appeal, featuring Josie Duffy Rice and Clint Smith III. Josie Duffy Rice, Clint Smith A PENNSYLVANIA MAN SURVIVED AN OVERDOSE ONLY TO BE CHARGED WITHHOMICIDE
York County resident Aaron Hinds overdosed on heroin with a friend. The friend died, and Hinds now faces a 'drug delivery resulting in death' charge and a 40-year prison sentence. Joshua Vaughn Jul 24, 2018 FORMER BALTIMORE POLICE OFFICER CRITICIZES THE DEPARTMENT’S GANGDATABASE
A onetime gang liaison for the Baltimore Police Department writes that its database is racist and error-ridden. Larry Smith Jul 23, 2018 PRETRIAL DETAINEES ARE BEING BILLED FOR THEIR STAY IN JAIL In jurisdictions across the country, people incarcerated before they've ever been convicted of a crime are charged a daily fee just for sitting in jail—and several courts have ruled that the practiceis legal.
Steven Hale Jul 20, 2018 CALIFORNIA BILL WOULD DEEM CHILDREN UNDER 12 TOO YOUNG FOR COURT Legislation passed in Massachusetts and pending in California would set a minimum age for children to enter the juvenile justice system. Jeremy Loudenback Jul 17, 2018 HOW FINES AND FEES CRIMINALIZE POVERTY: EXPLAINED Jessica Brand Jul 16, 2018 THE APPEAL PODCAST EPISODE 7: WHAT ABOLITIONISTS MEAN WHEN THEY TALKABOUT ABOLITION
With William C. Anderson, journalist and co-author of As Black AsResistance.
Adam H. Johnson Jul 12, 2018 PROSECUTORS AND JUDGES IN PENNSYLVANIA COUNTY HAMMER DEFENDANTS IN LOW-LEVEL DRUG CASES In overdose-wracked Franklin County, Pennsylvania, a small-time dealer is denied bail, while the number of drug induced homicide cases hasskyrocketed.
Joshua Vaughn Jul 09, 2018 THE CRIMINALIZATION OF HOMELESSNESS: EXPLAINED Bidish Sarma, Jessica BrandJun 29, 2018
THE BALTIMORE POLICE’S ‘SUMMER SURGE’ SCAM A former Baltimore Police officer says that a plan to flood the streets with local and federal law enforcement is likely to yield more of the same ineffective 'broken windows'-style arrests.Larry Smith
A BLACK MAN CALLED THE COPS NAZIS–AND WAS CHARGED WITH A HATE CRIME A Pennsylvania hate crime statute is being used by law enforcement to punish angry arrestees. Joshua Vaughn Jun 28, 2018CUOMO THE MERCILESS
New York's Democratic governor has granted only a trickle of commutations, fewer than many of his Democratic and Republicanpredecessors.
Victoria Law Jun 20, 2018 RESPONSES TO VIOLENCE MUST MOVE BEYOND POLICING The solution to problems like unsolved homicides, especially in communities of color, cannot be reinvestment in institutions that wage violence against them. William C. Anderson Jun 19, 2018 ERIC HOLDER MAY BE CONSIDERING A PRESIDENTIAL RUN. BUT HAS HIS TIMEPASSED?
As voters begin to realize that prosecutors in the world's most incarcerated nation may not be the best people to run the government, the era of the prosecutor politician could be on its way out.Chase Madar
THE APPEAL PODCAST EPISODE 4: HOW PRISON REFORM WAS CO-OPTED TO SELLMORE PRISONS
With journalists Raven Rakia and Ashoka Jegroo. Adam H. Johnson Jun 15, 2018 ALICE MARIE JOHNSON IS FREE. NOW IT’S TIME TO FREE THOUSANDS MORE PRISONERS WITH UNJUSTLY LONG SENTENCES. Kim Kardashian's successful campaign to free a 63-year-old grandmother serving a life sentence in a drug case is a reminder that we need to go big on clemency. A 52-year-old grandfather named Euka Wadlington, also doing life in a drug case, would be a great place to start.Shaun King
LOUISIANA’S LOVE AFFAIR WITH LOCKING UP KIDS FOR LIFE Years after two landmark Supreme Court rulings, prosecutors in Louisiana are still overwhelmingly seeking life sentences forchildren.
Victoria Law Jun 13, 2018 SANTA CLARA COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER EXPLAINS WHAT JUDGE PERSKY’S RECALL MEANS FOR HIS CLIENTS The judge who sentenced Brock Turner brought much-needed compassion to the bench, says public defender Sajid Khan. Paul DeBenedetto Jun 11, 2018 A MELEE BROKE OUT ON THE SUBWAY—AND THEN THE BRONX DA PROSECUTED ONEOF ITS VICTIMS
Walliris Velez thought the worst was behind her after she was slashed in a subway car, but then came an arrest and an attempted murder charge by the Bronx DA. George Joseph, Simon Davis-CohenJun 07, 2018
CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORMERS GET A CHILLY RECEPTION IN CALIFORNIA Across the state, most incumbents successfully fended off progressive challengers during the June 5 primary. Max Rivlin-Nadler Jun 06, 2018 THE APPEAL PODCAST EPISODE 1: DISTRICT ATTORNEYS ARE THE MOST POWERFUL PEOPLE YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF With Josie Duffy Rice, senior staff reporter at The Appeal. Adam H. Johnson May 31, 2018 BILL CHALLENGING ‘SAFEKEEPING’ OF TENNESSEE TEENS IN ADULT PRISONS COULD SOON BECOME LAW Victoria Law May 18, 2018 THE PERVERSE INCENTIVES OF PUNISHMENTJohn Pfaff
CRIME VICTIMS BACKING PHILLY DA LARRY KRASNER DON’T WANT TOUGHER SENTENCES — THEY WANT FAIR ONES Maura Ewing May 15, 2018 LOUISIANA PROSECUTOR TESTIFIES IN FAVOR OF JURY LAW ROOTED IN WHITESUPREMACY
Shaun King May 14, 2018 RHODE ISLAND CIVIL ASSET FORFEITURE REFORM FACES AN UNUSUAL FOE: A DEMOCRATIC ATTORNEY GENERAL Daniel Denvir May 10, 2018 ELECTIONS MATTER: FLORIDA’S 13TH JUDICIAL CIRCUITLarry Hannan
LAW ENFORCEMENT TAKES UNEARNED VICTORY LAP FOR CAPTURE OF ONE OF THEIR OWN — THE GOLDEN STATE KILLER Amelia McDonell-Parry May 09, 2018 LAWYER FOR PEDRO HERNANDEZ SAYS BRONX DA’S OFFICE IS STILL WITHHOLDING KEY EVIDENCEMax Rivlin-Nadler
THE LAPD HAS A NEW SURVEILLANCE FORMULA, POWERED BY PALANTIR George Joseph May 08, 2018 HOW WALMART IS HELPING PROSECUTORS PURSUE 10-YEAR SENTENCES FORSHOPLIFTING
Jessica Pishko
‘WE CAN MAKE HIM DISAPPEAR’: THE POWER OF COUNTY SHERIFFS Josie Duffy Rice May 07, 2018 LOUISIANA HELD A MAN IN JAIL FOR OVER 8 YEARS WITHOUT EVER CONVICTINGHIM OF A CRIME
Shaun King May 03, 2018 HOW NAMING A DRUG OPERATION FOR A FALLEN TROOPER ENDANGERS HIS ALLEGED KILLER’S FAIR TRIAL Jessica Brand, Ethan BrownMay 01, 2018
NEW FEDERAL PRISON POLICIES MAY PUT BOOKS AND EMAIL ON ICE Lauren Gill Apr 27, 2018 THE POWER OF PROSECUTORS Shaun King Apr 24, 2018 FOSTA BACKERS TO SEX WORKERS: YOUR WORK CAN NEVER BE SAFEMelissa Gira Grant
PROSECUTORS AREN’T JUST ENFORCING THE LAW — THEY’RE MAKINGIT
Josie Duffy Rice Apr 20, 2018 PUBLIC DEFENDER FOILS PROSECUTOR’S MURDER CHARGE IN DRUG OVERDOSE Zachary A. Siegel Apr 19, 2018 WHY PUBLIC DEFENDERS MATTER MORE THAN EVER IN A TIME OF REFORM John Pfaff Apr 18, 2018 DATA SHOWS POLICE BRUTALITY IN AMERICA IS GETTING WORSE — 2018 COULD BE THE MOST DEADLY IN YEARS Shaun King Apr 17, 2018 IN LOUISIANA, THREATENING TO FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST POLICE CAN LEAD TO A FIVE-YEAR PRISON SENTENCEMichael Stein
THE SECRET STORY OF CORRUPTION BEHIND MEEK MILL’S INCARCERATION Jessica Brand, Ethan BrownApr 16, 2018
ADVOCATES FIGHT TEXAS STATUTE DELAYING TRANSGENDER PRISONERS’ ABILITY TO CHANGE THEIR NAMES Aviva Stahl Apr 12, 2018 A LETTER TO JAY-Z: DON’T KEEP THIS PROMISE Andrea Armstrong Apr 10, 2018 CASCADE OF OVERTURNED CASES MAY EMERGE IN WAKE OF PHILLY DA’S ‘BADCOP’ LIST
Maura Ewing, Daniel DenvirApr 09, 2018
AS REFORM STALLS IN NEW YORK, DEFENDANTS PLEAD OUT BECAUSE THEY CAN’T AFFORD CASH BAIL Max Rivlin-Nadler Apr 06, 2018 AS DEADLINE APPROACHES FOR HOMELESS EX-OFFENDERS IN FLORIDA, COUNTY THREATENS TO JAIL THEM Steven Yoder Apr 05, 2018 TRAFFIC STOP BEGINS MAN’S KAFKAESQUE JOURNEY THROUGH A TEXAS COUNTY’S BAIL SYSTEM Melissa Gira Grant Apr 03, 2018 ‘YOU’RE BREAKING THE LAW AS SOON AS YOU STOP WALKING’: HOW COLORADO CITIES CRIMINALIZE HOMELESSNESS Bryce Covert Apr 02, 2018 JAILHOUSE INFORMANT IN HIGH-PROFILE TEXAS MURDER CASES COMES UNDER NEWSCRUTINY
Max Rivlin-Nadler Mar 30, 2018 HOUSTON POLICE CHIEF WHO CALLED MICHAEL BENNETT ‘MORALLY CORRUPT’ IS QUIET ON POLICE BRUTALITY Jessica Brand Mar 28, 2018 CAN POLICE OPPOSITION OVERTURN PAROLE REFORM? Victoria Law Mar 27, 2018 IN AN UPSTATE NEW YORK COMMUNITY WRACKED BY OVERDOSES, PROSECUTOR PURSUES USERS IN HOMICIDES CASES Zachary A. Siegel Mar 23, 2018 DO CONVICTION INTEGRITY UNITS WORK? Josie Duffy Rice Mar 22, 2018 DESPITE LEADERS’ PROGRESSIVE PROMISES, NYC REMAINS ’MARIJUANA ARREST CAPITAL OF THE WORLD’ Shaun King Mar 20, 2018 NY GOV. CUOMO’S TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD PLAN TOPROTECT YOUR KIDS
Guy Hamilton-Smith Mar 19, 2018 TEXAS’S FIRST DEATH SENTENCE OF 2018 CRYSTALLIZES THE STATE’S LONGSTANDING CAPITAL CASE CRISIS Lauren Gill Mar 16, 2018 IN LOUISIANA, DEFENDANTS FACING THE DEATH PENALTY FACE A WAIT LIST FORAN ATTORNEY
Max Rivlin-Nadler Mar 15, 2018 COLUMBUS ACTIVISTS TURN OUT TO SUPPORT ‘BLACK PRIDE 4’ PROTESTERSDURING SENTENCING
Prince Shakur
ANTI-ONLINE TRAFFICKING BILLS ADVANCE IN CONGRESS, DESPITE OPPOSITION FROM SURVIVORS THEMSELVES Melissa Gira Grant Mar 14, 2018 PENNSYLVANIA DEMOCRATIC ATTORNEY GENERAL SHUTS DOWN BIDS FOR FREEDOM Daniel Denvir Mar 13, 2018 A NATIONAL PUSH FOR VICTIMS’ RIGHTS IS NOW HITTING FLORIDA. BUT CRITICS ARE FIGHTING BACK. Meaghan Ybos Mar 12, 2018 EYEWITNESS TO BRONX MURDER ALLEGES PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT, MAKES ELEVENTH-HOUR RECANTATION But the witness may have flipped again, leaving the future of the conviction up in the air. Simon Davis-Cohen, George JosephMar 09, 2018
THE BLACK LOVE BAIL OUT AIMS TO FREE POOR DEFENDANTS — AND TEACH OTHERS TO DO THE SAME Bryce Covert Mar 08, 2018 KIM FOXX JUST RELEASED SIX YEARS OF DATA — MOST PROSECUTORS’ OFFICES REMAIN BLACK BOXES Josie Duffy Rice Mar 07, 2018 MOVEMENT TO REFORM NEW YORK’S DISCOVERY STATUTE FACES A FAMILIARFOE: PROSECUTORS
Jake Offenhartz Mar 06, 2018 FIVE WAYS THE MEDIA-DRIVEN RAPE KIT ‘BACKLOG’ NARRATIVE GETS ITWRONG
Meaghan Ybos, Heather MarloweMar 05, 2018
SAN ANTONIO DA NICO LAHOOD, AN ANTI-ISLAM, PRO-DEATH PENALTY DEMOCRAT, FACES FORMER PAL IN PRIMARY Alex Hannaford Mar 02, 2018 AS BAIL REFORM MOVES FORWARD IN CALIFORNIA, DEFENDANT WHO ADVANCED IT REMAINS INCARCERATED Max Rivlin-Nadler Mar 01, 2018 HOW ZOMBIE CRIME STATS, PHANTOM STATS AND FRANKENSTATS PAINT A MISLEADING PICTURE ON CRIMEJohn Pfaff
COURT WATCH NYC IS HERE TO HOLD NEW YORK CITY’S ‘REFORMER’ DISTRICT ATTORNEYS ACCOUNTABLE Max Rivlin-Nadler Feb 27, 2018 ACTIVISTS FED UP WITH NEW YORK MAYOR BILL DE BLASIO’S SILENCE ON SAFE INJECTION SITESZachary A. Siegel
NYC TRANSGENDER ACTIVIST SAYS SHE WAS CRIMINALIZED FOR DEFENDING HERSELF AGAINST ABUSER Her former partner assaulted her in her home. When the police arrived, she was arrested and he walked free. Emma Whitford Feb 26, 2018 MONTANA PROSECUTOR’S CRACKDOWN ON PREGNANT WOMEN WHO USE DRUGS COULD HARM WOMEN’S HEALTH Raven Rakia Feb 23, 2018 A NATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO CRACK DOWN ON MASSAGE BUSINESSES MAY HARM THE WOMEN IT WANTS TO HELP Melissa Gira Grant, Emma WhitfordFeb 22, 2018
PROTESTING ICE COURTHOUSE ARRESTS DOESN’T GET NYC PROSECUTORS OFF THE HOOK FOR EVERYDAY INJUSTICE Nick Encalada-Malinowski LOUISIANA DENIES PAROLE TO MAN BEHIND A SUPREME COURT RULING LIMITING LIFE SENTENCES FOR CHILDREN Aviva Shen Feb 21, 2018 OVER 100 PENNSYLVANIA PRISONERS ARE HELD IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT — WITH NO END IN SIGHT Maura Ewing, Matt Stroud LOUISIANA DENIES PAROLE TO MAN BEHIND A SUPREME COURT RULING LIMITING LIFE SENTENCES FOR CHILDRENAviva Shen
HOW ‘EL CHAPO’S’ ATTORNEY IS FIGHTING FOR HIS CLIENT’S RIGHTTO A FAIR TRIAL
Lauren Gill Feb 20, 2018 PHILADELPHIA CITY COUNCIL’S VOTE IN FAVOR OF ENDING CASH BAIL BOLSTERS CITYWIDE PUSH Bryce Covert Feb 16, 2018 NYPD AGREES TO NEW RULES LIMITING ITS SEIZURES OF NEW YORKERS’PROPERTY
Max Rivlin-Nadler
THE BIGGEST WINNERS IN TRUMP BUDGET: THE DEA AND THE WAR ON DRUGS Zachary A. Siegel Feb 15, 2018 NEW PHILADELPHIA DA LARRY KRASNER HITS RESET ON THE OFFICE’S TROUBLED CONVICTION REVIEW UNITChristopher Moraff
IN PORTLAND, A MOTHER SUES FOR ANSWERS ABOUT WHY THE POLICE KILLED HERSON
Max Rivlin-Nadler Feb 14, 2018 COUNTERING THE NYPD’S NEIGHBORHOOD POLICING SCAMJosmar Trujillo
THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON TO REFORM THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMIS NOT…
Shaun King Feb 13, 2018 TENNESSEE SHERIFF: SOLITARY CONFINEMENT FOR 16 YEAR-OLD GIRL IS NO DIFFERENT THAN A ‘PRIVATE ROOM’Meaghan Ybos
POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY AND PUBLIC DEFENDER GROUPS DEMAND TRANSPARENCY ON NYPD GANG POLICING Max Rivlin-Nadler Feb 12, 2018 NEW ORLEANS STRIP CLUB WORKERS BATTLE ‘AGE BAN’ IN FEDERAL COURTMelissa Gira Grant
LOS ANGELES PUBLIC DEFENDER’S OFFICE HAS A NEW INTERIM LEADER — AND SHE’S NEVER REPRESENTED INDIGENT CLIENTS Emma Whitford Feb 09, 2018 HOW A CASE OF ‘RESTORATIVE JUSTICE’ WAS ACTUALLY JUST BUSINESS AS USUAL FOR THE NEW ORLEANS DAVictoria Law
THE FALSE PROMISE OF BAIL REFORM IN DALLAS COUNTY: DEBATE CONTINUES WHILE PEOPLE LANGUISH IN JAIL Rebecca McCray Feb 08, 2018 13-YEAR-OLD CHARGED WITH FIRST-DEGREE MURDER IN OKLAHOMA FACES LIFE INPRISON
Raven Rakia Feb 07, 2018 13-YEAR-OLD CHARGED WITH FIRST-DEGREE MURDER IN OKLAHOMA, FACES LIFEIN PRISON
Raven Rakia
WHY PROSECUTORS KEEP CHEATING: THE CATHERINE FULLER MURDER AND THE FAILURE OF THE BRADY RULE Thomas Dybdahl Feb 06, 2018 THE SENTENCING OF LARRY NASSAR WAS NOT ‘TRANSFORMATIVE JUSTICE.’HERE’S WHY.
For those of us who believe our “justice” system must be transformed, moments such as this one are a test of conviction. Kelly Hayes, Mariame KabaFeb 05, 2018
PENNSYLVANIA MAN DIES IN JAIL AFTER GUARDS ALLEGEDLY IGNORED HIS OPIOID WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMSZachary A. Siegel
THE MISGUIDED CALL FOR HARSHER PUNISHMENTS AT THE HEART OF THE JUDGE PERSKY RECALL EFFORT Shon Hopwood Feb 02, 2018 AS NEW YORK DECARCERATES, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE UNDER SUPERVISION OFPAROLE RISES
Victoria Law Feb 01, 2018 FLORIDA PRISONERS ARE ON STRIKE TO PROTEST PRICE GOUGING AND THEIR ‘CURRENT SLAVE ARRANGEMENT’Bryce Covert
PENNSYLVANIA’S DEATH ROW PRISONERS ARGUE THAT THE RIGHT TO EXECUTE DOES NOT INCLUDE THE RIGHT TO ISOLATE Maura Ewing Jan 31, 2018 DID PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT RESULT IN THE INDICTMENT OF AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN LOUISIANA COUPLE IN A FEDERAL DRUG CASE? Max Rivlin-Nadler Jan 30, 2018 AFTER NEW YORK SUES OPIOID MANUFACTURERS, DRUG POLICY EXPERTS WARN THAT LEGAL ACTION WON’T SAVE LIVES Zachary A. Siegel Jan 29, 2018 CYNTOIA BROWN AND THE YEARS LOST BY JUVENILE LIFERSColin Miller
PROPOSED FEDERAL TRAFFICKING LEGISLATION HAS SURPRISING OPPONENTS: ADVOCATES WHO WORK WITH TRAFFICKING VICTIMS Melissa Gira Grant Jan 26, 2018 MASSACHUSETTS AND NEW YORK PROSECUTORS’ BAIL ‘REFORMS’ PERMITBUSINESS AS USUAL
Jessica Brand Jan 25, 2018 PHILADELPHIA TO MAKE HISTORY WITH NATION’S FIRST SUPERVISEDINJECTION FACILITY
Christopher Moraff
CALIFORNIA RULING COULD GIVE ACCUSED GANG MEMBERS A CHANCE TO CLEARTHEIR NAMES
Maura Ewing Jan 24, 2018 JURY FOR WHITE MAN WHO KILLED BLACK NFL PLAYER HAS ONE BLACK PERSON Aviva Shen Jan 23, 2018 FEDERAL COURT HEARS CONSTITUTIONAL CHALLENGE TO A NEW YORK STATUTE THAT INCARCERATES WORKING CLASS PEOPLE OF COLORJon Campbell
DEATH BY PROSECUTION: WAS THERE A BIGGER PLAYER IN DRUG CASE INVOLVING MAN WHO KILLED HIMSELF AFTER FEDERAL INDICTMENT? Zachary A. Siegel Jan 22, 2018 BROKEN COVENANT: A HOMELESS YOUTH ORGANIZATION’S ASSAULT ON TRAFFICKING IS MAKING WOMEN MORE VULNERABLEMelissa Gira Grant
HOW PHILADELPHIA’S SOCIAL MEDIA-DRIVEN GANG POLICING IS STEALING YEARS FROM YOUNG PEOPLE Max Rivlin-Nadler Jan 19, 2018 EVEN WITH A GOVERNOR’S PARDON, JESUS AGUIRRE, JR. IS STILL A GANG MEMBER ACCORDING TO ORANGE COUNTY Jessica Pishko Jan 18, 2018 INERTIA AND THE DEATH PENALTY Lee Kovarsky Jan 17, 2018 NEW DOJ REPORT DEMONSTRATES STUNNING DISINGENUITY ON CASES INVOLVING SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDRENGuy Hamilton-Smith
PHILADELPHIA MEDIA SLAM NEWLY ELECTED DA KRASNER FOR FIRINGS BUT HOUSE CLEANING ADVANCES HIS PROMISE OF EQUAL JUSTICE Daniel Denvir Jan 16, 2018 STOP AND FRISK APOLOGIES PROVE THAT THE MIC MUST BE PASSED TO PEOPLE MOST AFFECTED BY THE POLICE Josmar Trujillo Jan 15, 2018 HOW A GROUP POLICING MODEL IS CRIMINALIZING WHOLE COMMUNITIES Max Rivlin-Nadler Jan 12, 2018 FOR NEW YORK PRISONERS, A PACKAGE POLICY THAT EFFECTIVELY PITS TVAGAINST BOOKS
A little-known New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision policy has limited access to books in at least nineprisons for years.
Rebecca McCray Jan 11, 2018 “MURDER EVERY DAY BUT THE SPOTLIGHT ON BIKE LIFE”: AMID 343 HOMICIDES, BALTIMORE POLICE CRACK DOWN ON DIRT BIKES Brandon Soderberg Jan 10, 2018 DISRUPTING AND RE-IMAGINING THE ROLE OF PROSECUTORS: A NEW FOCUS ON RE-ENTRY AND REHABILITATION Courtney Oliva Jan 05, 2018 I WAS RAPED. AND I BELIEVE THE BROCK TURNER SENTENCE IS A SUCCESSSTORY.
Meaghan Ybos Jan 04, 2018 I WAS RAPED. AND I BELIEVE THE BROCK TURNER SENTENCE IS A SUCCESSSTORY.
Meaghan Ybos
NOT IN VAIN: OUR FAILURE TO CURB MISCONDUCT UNDERMINES JOHNTHOMPSON’S LEGACY
Bidish Sarma Jan 03, 2018 IN JUSTICE TODAY: JUSTICE SYSTEM PREDICTIONS FOR 2018 In Justice Today Jan 02, 2018 IN JUSTICE TODAY: JUSTICE SYSTEM PREDICTIONS FOR 2018 In Justice Today invited leading thinkers in criminal justice reform to answer the question, “2018 is the year….” This is what theysaid.
In Justice Today
THE TOP CRIMINAL JUSTICE WINS OF 2017 John Legend, Carimah TownesDec 26, 2017
PHILLY’S GANG VIOLENCE STRATEGY DOESN’T WORK. HERE’S WHY. Philadelphia implemented the “focused deterrence” model of gang policing, which includes the promise of critical social services. The reality is much different. Maura Ewing Dec 21, 2017 HOW A DALLAS DISTRICT ATTORNEY REACHED HER ‘NIXON IN CHINA’ MOMENT Faith Johnson’s recent indictment of a Mesquite police officer for shooting an innocent man follows years of work by community activists.Rebecca McCray
THESE NBA AND NFL STARS WANT PROSECUTORS TO STOP SEEKING LIFE WITHOUTPAROLE FOR KIDS
Anquan Boldin, DeAndre Levy, Tobias Harris, Anthony Tolliver, Stan VanGundy
In Justice Today
WASHINGTON’S LARGEST COUNTY BANS SOLITARY CONFINEMENT FOR KIDS INADULT JAILS
Carimah Townes Dec 20, 2017 CIVIL RIGHTS AND THE WHITE MANELLee Kovarsky
AMID OPIOID CRISIS, PENNSYLVANIA DISTRICT ATTORNEYS ADVOCATE FOR WARON DRUGS
Zachary A. Siegel
NEW RULING MAY FORCE LOUISIANA TO STOP USING POOR PEOPLE TO BANKROLLITS COURTS
Aviva Shen Dec 19, 2017 JAIL POLICIES RESTRICT LEGAL REPRESENTATION IN NORTH CAROLINA Public defenders in Charlotte say restrictions on communication hinder their ability to help jailed clients. Jessica Brand Dec 14, 2017 KENTUCKY’S HEROIN BILL WAS MEANT TO EASE THE STATE’S OPIOIDS CRISIS; INSTEAD IT’S INCREASING THE STATE’S PRISON POPULATION Michael Arria Dec 13, 2017 SEX REGISTRIES AS MODERN-DAY WITCH PYRES: WHY CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM ADVOCATES NEED TO ADDRESS THE TREATMENT OF PEOPLE ON THE SEX OFFENDERREGISTRY
Guy Hamilton-Smith Dec 12, 2017 THE TRIALS OF KEITH DAVIS, JR: HOW BALTIMORE PROSECUTORS PURSUED A POLICE SHOOTING VICTIM Brandon Soderberg Dec 11, 2017 ARE HARRIS COUNTY OFFICIALS TRYING TO ‘SABOTAGE’ BAIL REFORM WITHMISLEADING DATA?
Bryce Covert Dec 08, 2017 AMERICA HAD FEWER EXECUTIONS IN 2017 THAN IN 23 OF THE LAST 25 YEARS Why Execution Numbers Continue To Fall Off A Cliff Lee Kovarsky Dec 07, 2017 THE TRUTH ABOUT PREDICTIVE POLICING AND RACE Andrew Guthrie Ferguson NOT A CARDBOARD CUTOUT: CYNTOIA BROWN AND THE FRAMING OF A VICTIM Mariame Kaba, Brit SchulteDec 06, 2017
WILL THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL RULE OF EVIDENCE BE REFORMED?Anna Roberts
JAY-Z, MEEK MILL FRIENDS TO 21,000 CONCERT FANS: VOTE FOR JUDGES, PROSECUTORS, AND COUNCILMEN WHO WANT CJ REFORM “We have the power to replace these people.” Maura Ewing Dec 05, 2017 DISCREDITED SHAKEN BABY SCIENCE SENT THIS FATHER TO JAIL FOR 15 YEARS. HIS ORDEAL COULD END THIS WEEK.Vince Beiser
MORE THAN 50,000 CALIFORNIANS CAN GET ‘BACK ON THE ROAD’ Alameda County Superior Court reversed license suspensions for 54,000 people who were punished for their inability to pay fines. Rebecca McCray Dec 04, 2017 ‘PROGRESSIVE DA’ FIGHTS TO PUT INNOCENT MAN BACK IN PRISON MEET THE PROSECUTOR TURNED REALITY TV STAR WHO RUNS ONE OF THE WORSTOFFICES IN AMERICA.
Under District Attorney Steve Wolfson, prosecutors in Las Vegas have led the nation in new death sentences, repeatedly engaged in racist jury selection, and maintained a secret bank account to pay witnesses for their testimony in criminal cases.Dec 01, 2017
CYNTOIA BROWN CASE REVEALS ENTRENCHED PROBLEMS WITH TENNESSEE JUVENILEJUSTICE
State law makes it easier to throw Brown away than consider traumas youth face and offer them hope of rehabilitation.Demetria D. Frank
STARVING THE BEAST: CHICAGO’S FIGHT AGAINST POLICE EXPANSION ISEVERYONE’S FIGHT
Josmar Trujillo Nov 30, 2017 FOR VICTIMS OF CORRUPT CHICAGO POLICE, AN UNUSUAL TASTE OF JUSTICE Fifteen men had their tainted convictions vacated by State’s Attorney Kim Foxx’s office, but this isn’t the norm when it comesto prosecutors.
Rebecca McCray Nov 29, 2017 AS INCIDENTS OF POLICE MISCONDUCT AND ABUSE PILE UP NATIONWIDE, JUSTICE FOR THEIR VICTIMS REMAINS FLEETINGShaun King
TENNESSEE SHERIFF LAUNCHES ‘BUSTED BINGO’ TO ROUND UP PEOPLE WITHWARRANTS
“Kiss your boyfriend goodbye.” Carimah Townes Nov 27, 2017 DITCHING THE BONDSMAN IS ONLY PART OF THE BATTLE FOR BAIL REFORM The five states that have done away with commercial bond outlets still struggle with inequity when it comes to cash bail. Rebecca McCray Nov 22, 2017 MEMPHIS POLICE FAILED TO PROPERLY INVESTIGATE “HUNDREDS” OF RAPE CASES, SAYS FORMER MEMPHIS POLICE SEX CRIMES DETECTIVE Melissa Gira Grant Nov 21, 2017 IS MARK GONZALEZ THE REFORMER HE PROMISED TO BE? So far, the report card on the “Mexican Biker” prosecutor ismixed.
Carimah Townes
CRYPTOCURRENCY IS THE NEXT FRONTIER IN THE QUEST TO ABOLISH CASH BAIL A new app seeks to liberate people from more than “liberalmalaise.”
Rebecca McCray Nov 15, 2017 FREE MEEK MILL, PHILLY COPS PANIC OVER THEIR NEW DA, LAPD CAUGHT PLANTING DRUGS, 14 YEAR OLD BOY KILLED ON RESERVATION In Justice Roundup is my weekly debrief rounding up the justice newsyou need to know.
Shaun King Nov 14, 2017 COMMENTARY: CY VANCE WAS RE-ELECTED. HERE ARE SOME WAYS YOU CAN HOLDHIM ACCOUNTABLE.
Josie Duffy Rice
WHAT’S SAID IS NOT WHAT’S DONE: HOW REAGAN-ERA DRUG WARRIOR POLITICS DOMINATE IN PROGRESSIVE MASSACHUSETTS — AND WHAT WE CANDO ABOUT IT.
Kade Crockford Nov 13, 2017 COMMENTARY: MEEK MILL’S SENTENCE REVEALS PROBLEMS WITH PENNSYLVANIA’S EXTREME USE OF COURT SUPERVISIONReggie Shuford
DESPITE ‘PUBLIC HEALTH’ MESSAGING, LAW ENFORCEMENT INCREASINGLY PROSECUTES OVERDOSES AS HOMICIDES Zachary A. Siegel Nov 08, 2017 DISPATCH: A LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL FOR JUVENILE LIFERS INPENNSYLVANIA
Glenn E. Martin Nov 02, 2017 HAWAII LAW ENFORCEMENT “POWER COUPLE” FACES CRIMINAL CHARGES Larry Hannan Nov 01, 2017 CAN A PROSECUTOR-LED PROGRAM TACKLE RECIDIVISM? Community members are cautiously optimistic, but wary of the program’s emergence during election season. Rebecca McCray Oct 31, 2017 NEW DATA THROWS FUEL ON THE FIRE FOR NASHVILLE BAIL REFORM The majority of people who face misdemeanor charges remain behind bars just because they are poor Larry Hannan Oct 27, 2017 OKLAHOMA SHERIFFS PREPARE FOR A SHOWDOWN OVER CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM Will the state with the second highest incarceration rate get its acttogether?
Carimah Townes
NEW STUDY SUPPORTS LARRY KRASNER’S PLEDGE TO END CASH BAIL IN PHILLY The City Controller’s report calls on the DA’s office to “dismantle the current cash bail system” Larry Hannan Oct 26, 2017 CUOMO TALKS JUSTICE REFORM, BUT CLINGS TO ARCHAIC KNIFE LAW A law that results in disproportionate arrests and prosecutions of black and Latino New Yorkers will stand.Rebecca McCray
DESPITE PUBLIC OUTCRY OVER PAY-TO-PLAY JUSTICE, PROSECUTORS JUSTDON’T GET IT
Jessica Pishko Oct 25, 2017 INDIANA PROSECUTOR TAKES “A HARD LINE” ON OPIOID DEALERS Larry Hannan Oct 23, 2017 CALIFORNIA JAIL HUNGER STRIKERS: “WE’RE SEEKING HUMANITY” Alameda and Santa Clara County jail detainees round out the first week of a hunger strike for better conditions. Rebecca McCray Oct 20, 2017 NYPD IS ONE DELETE BUTTON AWAY FROM LOSING ITS CIVIL FORFEITURERECORDS
Criminal charges are absent from 85 percent of all forfeiture cases inthe city.
Carimah Townes
HOW TO MAKE CHANGE HAPPENShaun King
#BYECY: ORGANIZERS CALL FOR EMBATTLED MANHATTAN D.A.’S RESIGNATION A movement to oust Cyrus Vance gains steam.Oct 19, 2017
NEW ORLEANS DA BULLIES PUBLIC DEFENDERS FOR DOING THEIR JOB Aviva Shen Oct 18, 2017 PROSECUTORS: WHAT MAKES A REFORMER? Rory Fleming Oct 17, 2017 CHICAGO ACTIVISTS SAY #NOCOPACADEMY; HOSPITAL SAYS NO KIDNEY FOR SON OF JUSTICE-INVOLVED DAD … AND MORERory Fleming
LOUISIANA SHERIFF’S COMMENTS REFLECT MORE THAN RACISMHeather Schoenfeld
THIS $2.75 GATEWAY TO JAIL TARGETS NEW YORK’S POOREST BLACKNEIGHBORHOODS
Rebecca McCray
DISPATCHES FROM THE STILL RAGING DRUG WAR Matt Henry Oct 16, 2017 DALLAS DOOBIES IN DOUBTJessica Pishko
THIS WEEK’S TOP JUSTICE SYSTEM STORIES IN NEW YORK Max Rivlin-Nadler Oct 13, 2017 SPOTLIGHT ON JUVENILE LIFE WITHOUT PAROLEMatt Henry
A COUNTY IN NORTH CAROLINA WANTS TO GIVE ITS BAIL SYSTEM A SERIOUSMAKEOVER
A local solution to a national problem.Carimah Townes
INJUSTICE ROUNDUP: MY WEEKLY ROUNDUP OF STORIES ON ABUSIVE POLICE OFFICERS, PRISON GUARDS, AND PROSECUTORSShaun King
CY VANCE’S DOUBLE STANDARD Melissa Gira Grant Oct 12, 2017 SALT LAKE COUNTY DA UNDER FIRE AFTER FINDING FATAL SHOOTING BY POLICEJUSTIFIED
Rebecca McCray Oct 11, 2017 NO BACKLOG: WHY THE EPIDEMIC OF UNTESTED RAPE KITS IS NOT A SYMBOL OF INSUFFICIENT POLICE BUDGETS BUT INSTEAD A FAILURE TO INVESTIGATE RAPEMeaghan Ybos
CHANGING THE POLITICS OF MASS INCARCERATION Udi Ofer Oct 10, 2017 MUNICIPAL COURTS IN COLORADO ARE A MESS, AND THEY’RE NOT ALONE Rebecca McCray Oct 06, 2017 FEDERAL MONITORS GO WHERE THEY’RE NOT WANTED: JUVENILE COURT Memphis critic says Juvenile Court Judge’s resistance to reforms has ‘emasculated’ Department of Justice Wendi C. Thomas Oct 05, 2017 WE CAN HOLD YOUTHS ACCOUNTABLE WITHOUT LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE Eric Alexander Oct 04, 2017 MONEY BAIL SYSTEM CHALLENGED IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDALarry Hannan
WHEN SOME PEOPLE ARE BELOW THE LAW Roy L. Austin Sep 28, 2017 PRIOR CONVICTION IMPEACHMENT: IS REFORM FINALLY AFOOT? Anna Roberts Sep 26, 2017 A STEP TOWARD JUSTICE: FACING RACE AND FEAR IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICESYSTEM
Vincent M. Southerland Sep 25, 2017 WHAT DONALD TRUMP CAN LEARN FROM COLIN KAEPERNICK Shaun King Sep 23, 2017 THOSE CLOSEST TO THE PROBLEM ARE CLOSEST TO THE SOLUTION Glenn E. Martin Sep 22, 2017 CONTRA COSTA COUNTY WILL STOP FORCING FAMILIES TO PAY FOR INCARCERATEDKIDS
The decision was unanimous. Carimah Townes Sep 21, 2017 ALAMEDA COUNTY ARRAIGNMENTS HEAD BACK TO OAKLAND Rebecca McCray Sep 20, 2017 SESSIONS SCALES BACK FEDERAL REFORM AS POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONSCONTINUE TO CRUMBLE
Rebecca McCray Sep 19, 2017 FLORIDA’S GROSS CRIMINALIZATION OF DISASTER RELIEF Shaun King Sep 18, 2017 SAFETY IN NUMBERS: WILL DISTRICT ATTORNEYS SUPPORT SAVING LIVES? Jessica Pishko Sep 14, 2017 UTAH COUNTY TO CREATE A PROSECUTOR WATCHDOG GROUPLarry Hannan
LOUISIANA’S DEATH PENALTY PROSECUTOR TAKES AIM AT HIS LEGALOPPONENTS
Aviva Shen Sep 12, 2017 CAN MARILYN MOSBY STILL MAKE GOOD ON HER PROGRESSIVE PROMISES? Rebecca McCray Sep 11, 2017 CONGRESS SHOULD LEAVE MARIJUANA TO THE STATES Jonathan Blanks Sep 07, 2017 JUSTICE IS NOW FURTHER OUT OF REACH FOR ALAMEDA COUNTY RESIDENTS Rebecca McCray Sep 06, 2017 #SWIPEITFORWARD & THE DECRIMINALIZATION OF FAREBEATING IN NEW YORKCITY
Activists in New York City are engaging in profound acts of resistance against over-policing in the subways. Politicians are listening, but are they really hearing them? Jocelyn Simonson Aug 30, 2017 LIFE SENTENCE THROWN OUT FOR WYOMING JUVENILE OVER PROSECUTOROBJECTIONS
Larry Hannan Aug 29, 2017 OREGON MAKES DRUG POSSESSION A MISDEMEANOR OVER PROSECUTOR OBJECTIONSAug 25, 2017
WILL CONTRA COSTA COUNTY’S NEXT DISTRICT ATTORNEY COMMIT TO CRIMINALJUSTICE REFORM?
Rebecca McCray Aug 23, 2017 CALIFORNIA’S DISTRICT ATTORNEYS AT ODDS WITH VOTERS OVER CRIMINALJUSTICE REFORM
District attorneys want to keep an outdated system alive.Carimah Townes
ACLU OF FL URGES REFORMS TO REDUCE ESCAMBIA COUNTY’S HIGHINCARCERATION RATE
Larry Hannan Aug 21, 2017 TRAPPED — BRAVE NEW FILMS PRESENTS THE BAIL TRAP GAMERobert Greenwald
FATHER OF FIVE ARRESTED FOR LEAVING KIDS UNATTENDED WHILE AT WORKRebecca McCray
AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION ENDORSES MULTIPLE CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORMPROPOSALS
Larry Hannan Aug 18, 2017 BASIC CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS STILL DENIED IN MISDEMEANOR COURTSRebecca McCray
A CHANCE AT FREEDOM, BARELYJessica Pishko
DOES CHILDHOOD END AT 18? Jessica Pishko Aug 17, 2017 NEW HEAD OF LOUISIANA DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S ASSOCIATION NO FRIEND OFREFORM
Larry Hannan Aug 16, 2017 COOK COUNTY PROSECUTOR FIGHTS TO KEEP A NEW MOM OUT OF JAIL Larry Hannan Aug 15, 2017 MARIN COUNTY TEENAGER TRIED AS ADULT GETS NEW HEARING UNDER PROP. 57 Larry Hannan Aug 11, 2017 EVEN IN THE DEEP RED SOUTH, DEATH SENTENCES ARE ON THE DECLINE Rebecca McCray Aug 10, 2017 A DEAL WITH THE DEVIL: WHAT IT TRULY COSTS TO MAKE A PLEA DEALMehak Anwar
LIFE SENTENCE FOR LOUISIANA MAN CONVICTED FOR JUVENILE CRIME FOUND TOBE UNCONSTITUTIONAL
Larry Hannan Jul 28, 2017 LIFE SENTENCE FOR LOUISIANA MAN CONVICTED FOR JUVENILE CRIME FOUND TOBE UNCONSTITUTIONAL
Larry Hannan
BAIL BOND INDUSTRY FIGHTS BACK AGAINST REFORM Alex S. Vitale Jul 27, 2017 TOP FIVE ARTICLES ON BAIL REFORM LAST WEEK Rory Fleming Jul 25, 2017 TO FIX THE JUSTICE SYSTEM, SHRINK AND REFORM COMMUNITY SUPERVISIONMichelle S. Phelps
COURT HOLDS THAT RETROACTIVE EXTENSION OF SEX OFFENDER REGISTRATION ISPUNITIVE
Bidish Sarma
WHY IS THE BRONX DISTRICT ATTORNEY HOLDING PEDRO HERNANDEZ AT RIKERSISLAND?
Nick Encalada-Malinowski Jul 24,2017
DAVIDSON COUNTY, TN’S CASH BAIL SYSTEM UNDER SCRUTINYJul 19, 2017
DEAR JEFF SESSIONS, PROSECUTING GUNS MORE AGGRESSIVELY WON’T MAKE USSAFER
Benjamin Levin
NEW DOCUMENTARY EXPLORES THE FALSE FREEDOM OF LIFE ON PAROLE Rebecca McCray Jul 18, 2017 MANHATTAN D.A. PLEDGES TO CURTAIL PROSECUTIONS OF SUBWAY FARE JUMPERS, BUT IT’S COMPLICATED Larry Hannan Jul 17, 2017 JUDGES MATTER WHEN IT COMES TO TREATING KIDS LIKE KIDS Larry Hannan Jul 11, 2017 CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT FINDS “DISCRIMINATORY BIAS” IN PROSECUTION’S USE OF PEREMPTORY JURY STRIKES Larry Hannan Jul 05, 2017 BAIL REFORM EMBRACED BY COOK COUNTY STATE’S ATTORNEYLarry Hannan
POLICE AND PROSECUTORS SHOULD DO MORE TO PROTECT IMMIGRANTS Edgar De Leon Jun 30, 2017 THE SAD, STUPID AND TRAGIC FALL OF SETH WILLIAMS Larry Hannan Jun 28, 2017 LOS ANGELES CAN TAKE FURTHER STEPS TO PROTECT ITS IMMIGRANT NEIGHBORS DALLAS COUNTY PROSECUTORS WILL NOT CHARGE POLICE IN TEENAGER’STASING DEATH
Larry Hannan Jun 27, 2017 AUSTIN PROSECUTOR DECLINES TO RETRY COUPLE LOCKED UP FOR OVER 20 YEARS Larry Hannan Jun 23, 2017 IN MISSISSIPPI, A LOST SECOND CHANCE FOR GEROME MOORE “You look like a cold-blooded monster.” Rebecca McCray Jun 22, 2017 MICHIGAN MAN’S EXONERATION AFTER DECADES IN PRISON SHOWS IMPORTANCE OF HOLDING PROSECUTORS ACCOUNTABLE Larry Hannan Jun 16, 2017 Policing National Commentary CRASHES, INJURIES, DEATHS: THE DANGERS OF POLICE CHASES Vaidya Gullapalli Jan 17, 2020POLICING
‘WEIRD NEWS,’ ‘DUMB CRIMINALS’ AND THE MEDIA’S MONETIZATIONOF HUMAN MISERY
There’s a cynical local-to-national news pipeline designed to mock the powerless under the guise of “odd” news stories. Adam H. Johnson Jan 16, 2020 MONEY FOR MILITARIZED EVICTIONS, BUT NOT FOR HOMES Vaidya Gullapalli Jan 15, 2020 NEW LAWSUIT IS LATEST EXAMPLE OF RESIDENTS SEEKING ACCOUNTABILITY FOR WRONGFUL ARRESTS IN NEW YORK CITY Charges in each of four arrests of a city man were subsequently dropped. Now he has become one of a long line of New York City residents who have filed wrongful arrest lawsuits against the city. Dawn R. Wolfe Jan 14, 2020 A CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION COULD END MARIJUANA ARRESTS AND FINES INAUSTIN, TEXAS
The move is made possible by a Texas law that legalized the productionof hemp last year.
Jay Willis Jan 10, 2020 PROVIDENCE POLICE GANG DATABASE POLICY ‘TRAMPLES FUNDAMENTAL CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS,’ LAWSUIT SAYS The department is targeting communities of color and violating local and federal law by using broad ‘association’ criteria to list people in a gang database, a Rhode Island community organizationclaims.
Julia Rock, Lucas Smolcic Larson U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE ENDORSES AYANNA PRESSLEY’S CRIMINAL JUSTICEREFORM PLAN
Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez of Texas told The Appeal about her vision for a complete overhaul of her state’s legal system. Kira Lerner Jan 09, 2020 INTERNAL AFFAIRS INVESTIGATORS RAID NYPD’S SPECIAL VICTIMS DIVISIONFOR THIRD TIME
Logbooks were seized as part of an inquiry into misconduct allegations against high-ranking officers in the division that investigates sexcrimes.
Meg O'Connor
ILLINOIS PARDONS ARE A REMINDER OF THE SCALE OF MARIJUANA ARRESTS,PAST AND PRESENT
Vaidya Gullapalli Jan 03, 2020 ILLINOIS MAN ALLEGES POLICE ILLEGALLY FORCED HIM TO UNDERGO A STRIPSEARCH, RECTAL EXAM
According to a complaint, police in Oak Lawn, a suburb of Chicago, subjected Tylus Allen Jr. to invasive searches, all of which turned upnothing.
Aaron Morrison Dec 19, 2019 ‘THEY CAN DO THIS TO ANYBODY’ Misconduct complaints against officers in the NYPD’s 34th Precinct have risen for three years straight. In 2018, 15 officers had complaints against them substantiated, the most of any precinct in NewYork City.
Ali Winston
IN ONE CALIFORNIA CITY, POLICE KILL WITH NEAR IMPUNITY Since 2010, no Vallejo officer has been disciplined for using deadly force, despite multiple shootings of unarmed people—including a man holding a can of beer. And active police union leaders have been involved in the shooting investigations. Darwin BondGraham Dec 18, 2019 CHICAGO’S GANG DATABASE CAN HAVE ‘DEVASTATING’ CONSEQUENCES, BUT THERE’S NO WAY TO BE REMOVED FROM IT. Social media posts, tattoos, or the unvetted word of an officer can lead to inclusion on the list, which is overwhelmingly composed ofpeople of color.
Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg LEGISLATION ON NEW YORK CITY’S SPRAWLING SYSTEMS OF SURVEILLANCE FINALLY GETS A HEARING A City Council Committee considers a bill on NYPD surveillance today.Ali Winston
HOW TO RETHINK DRUG DEALING AND PUNISHMENT Criminalizing those who sell drugs by enacting more punitive laws may lead to more dangerous drug use and will disproportionately affect communities of color, a new report suggests. Zachary A. Siegel Dec 17, 2019 BOSTON LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS BEEN FIGHTING A COURT ORDER TO RELEASE DATA ON WHO POLICE TARGET ON SNAPCHAT District Attorney Rachael Rollins ran as a reformer who would work to increase transparency, but her office and the police department have been fighting the order. Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg Dec13, 2019
POLICE PLAY THE VICTIM WHEN VOTERS CHOOSE REFORM Sarah Lustbader Dec 09, 2019 THE CRISIS OF MURDERED AND MISSING INDIGENOUS WOMEN AND WHY TRIBES NEED THE POWER TO ADDRESS IT Vaidya Gullapalli Dec 02, 2019 COMMUNITY POLICING IS NOT THE ANSWER Investing billions of government dollars into programs that embed police in Black communities will not reduce police violence, nor repair years of injustice.Philip V. McHarris
THERE’S A PATTERN OF POLICE UNIONS ATTACKING PEOPLE WHO CALL FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY ARE BLACK A Philadelphia police union’s recent attack on Players Coalition co-founder Malcolm Jenkins matches rhetorical tactics that officers’ groups are using in the face of outspoken support for criminal justicereforms.
Aaron Morrison Nov 27, 2019 COURT RULES POLICE CAN’T LIE ABOUT LIE DETECTORS Kyle C. Barry Nov 26, 2019 HUNDREDS OF VICTIM AND WITNESS DNA PROFILES REMOVED FROM NEW YORK CITYDATABASE
Advocates say the removals are more evidence of a troubling and unregulated law enforcement tool, overseen by the city’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.Aaron Morrison
IN A LOUISIANA PARISH, HUNDREDS OF CASES MAY BE TAINTED BY SHERIFF’SOFFICE MISCONDUCT
During the tenure of Iberia Parish Sheriff Louis Ackal, deputies assaulted and harassed men inside the parish jail. Several deputies were convicted in federal court, and now cases brought by the office are under renewed scrutiny. Joshua Vaughn Nov 25, 2019 A TALE OF TWO MAYORS Sarah Lustbader Nov 22, 2019 MICHAEL BLOOMBERG SHOULD APOLOGIZE FOR MORE THAN STOP-AND-FRISK,CRITICS SAY
The billionaire and former New York City mayor defended the NYPD’s surveillance of Muslim Americans and mandatory minimum prison sentences for gun possession, among other policies. Aaron Morrison Nov 21, 2019 WHEN POLICE VIOLENCE IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Sarah Lustbader Nov 19, 2019 ‘I NEVER THOUGHT SELLING CORN COULD LEAD TO BEING TORN FROM MYFAMILY’
Sarah Lustbader Nov 12, 2019 PHILADELPHIA TRAUMA CENTER CLOSURE COULD MEAN MORE SHOOTING DEATHS—AND TOUGH-ON-CRIME TALK Research shows access to a trauma center is critical after a shooting. But as gun deaths are rising in Philly, one trauma center has closed. Experts say a rise in homicides may prompt more policing.Joshua Vaughn
UNCRITICAL REPORTING ON A BIASED BALTIMORE SPY PLANE POLL A close examination of a poll backed by a business group reveals loaded questions, undisclosed conflicts of interest, and the shortchanging of very real privacy concerns. Adam H. Johnson Nov 07, 2019 NEW YORK CITY VOTERS MAY EXPAND POWER OF CIVILIAN REVIEW BOARD, ALLOWING IT TO INVESTIGATE POLICE WHO LIE If passed, Question 2 would also allow the board to force police commissioners to provide more insight into disciplinary decisions. Aaron Morrison Nov 05, 2019 NEW YORK SUBWAY POLICE MAKE US LESS SAFE Recent violent arrests in the city subways should make New Yorkers question the push by Governor Andrew Cuomo and the MTA to hire 500 newtransit police.
Jonathan Ben-Menachem IT’S TIME TO FIGHT THE DEMOCRATIC MAYORS WHO ARE CHAMPIONS OF THECARCERAL STATE
The mayors of New York, Chicago, and San Francisco wrap themselves in the language of progressivism, but when it comes to the criminal legal system they’re Trumpian. Kelly Hayes Nov 04, 2019 PEOPLE BEHIND THE GIRLS DO PORN WEBSITE WERE JUST CHARGED WITH SEX TRAFFICKING. BUT COMPLAINTS WERE FILED ABOUT THEM YEARS AGO. At least three women made police reports about Girls Do Porn in 2015, but recruiters continued to exploit women until the FBI stepped inlast month.
Meg O'Connor
‘A GREEN LIGHT FOR ABUSE’: DESPITE REFORMS, CALIFORNIA COUNTIES STILL CONCEAL RECORDS ON POLICE USE OF FORCE A lawsuit in Los Angeles and a motion in Orange County highlight battles to get key information. Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg Oct31, 2019
CALIFORNIA COURT DESTROYS FILES IN HISTORIC POLICE CORRUPTION CASE Criminal case files from Oakland’s seminal Riders scandal were among documents shredded by the Alameda County Superior Court in 2015. Ali Winston, Darwin BondGrahamOct 30, 2019
AUSTIN BRACES AS TEXAS OFFICIALS PLAN CRACKDOWN ON HOMELESSENCAMPMENTS
Last week, the City Council reinstated a “no camping” ordinance meant to discourage people experiencing homelessness from sleeping on sidewalks and outside a shelter. Advocates say the city is criminalizing poverty. Aaron Morrison Oct 25, 2019 ATATIANA JEFFERSON’S DEATH WAS A FAILURE OF POLICING Sarah Lustbader Oct 18, 2019 VIRGINIA SHERIFF SEEKING RE-ELECTION TOOK CAMPAIGN DONATIONS FROM HEALTHCARE PROVIDER FOR JAIL HE OVERSEES Sheriff Mike Chapman, who runs the Loudoun County jail, has received close to $15,000 in contributions from the provider since takingoffice in 2012.
Aaron Morrison Oct 17, 2019 NEW LAWSUIT FOCUSES ON ALLEGED L.A. COUNTY DEPUTY ‘GANGS’ Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva was elected on the promise of reforming the scandal-plagued sheriff’s department. But eight deputies now accuse Sheriff Villanueva of allowing a violent group, the Banditos, to thrive in his department's ranks. Ali Winston Oct 10, 2019 AMBER GUYGER SHOULD NOT GO TO PRISON The former Dallas police officer should be held accountable for killing Botham Jean, but sending her to prison does not keep us safe. Elisabeth Epps Oct 07, 2019 CALIFORNIA GANG LAWS ARE NORMALIZED RACISM The gang database in the state gives police increased authority to approach and harass people for virtually no reason at all. Emily Galvin-Almanza Oct 04, 2019 MISSISSIPPI SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT ACCUSED OF RACIAL PROFILING AGREES TO REFORMS THAT SETTLE BLACK RESIDENTS’ LAWSUIT The Madison County Sheriff’s Department was sued in 2017 for allegedly subjecting Black motorists and pedestrians to unconstitutional stops and searches. Aaron Morrison Oct 03, 2019 EMPATHY AND FORGIVENESS AT AMBER GUYGER’S TRIALSarah Lustbader
A CALIFORNIA SHERIFF AND PROSECUTOR WANT TO JAIL HOMELESS PEOPLE. THEIR PLAN IS UNLAWFUL. Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood and District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer intend to openly defy a 1975 state Supreme Court precedent that says law enforcement cannot intentionally discriminate against a person or group of people.Kate Chatfield
HELPING ICE STIR UP ANTI-IMMIGRANT FERVOR IN MARYLAND WJLA’s Kevin Lewis selectively reports on immigrants arrested for sex crimes to paint a misleading picture of violence in MontgomeryCounty.
Adam H. Johnson Oct 01, 2019 MENTAL HEALTH CRISES REQUIRE MENTAL HEALTH, NOT POLICING, RESPONSES Vaidya Gullapalli Sep 27, 2019 THE OFFICER WHO ARRESTED A 6-YEAR-OLD WAS FIRED BUT DON’T EXPECTMUCH CHANGE
Sarah Lustbader Sep 24, 2019 THEIR JUVENILE RECORDS WERE SEALED. DECADES LATER, THEY’VEREAPPEARED.
The Washington State Patrol has added thousands of old sealed juvenile records to a database it shares with law enforcement agencies across the country—erasing for many their chance of a clean slate.Tori Marlan
ON HOMELESSNESS, TRUMP AND DEMS BOTH LOOK TO POLICE Sarah Lustbader Sep 19, 2019 HOW LOCAL MEDIA SHOULD REPORT ON SAFE INJECTION SITES In a rare case of local media nuance, a Boston TV news station provided a humane and health-focused segment on safe drug use. Adam H. Johnson Sep 17, 2019 WHEN PROSECUTORS BURY POLICE LIES Court records and interviews with former prosecutors show that internal assessments of police dishonesty are rarely memorialized, potentially violating the rights of people charged in criminal cases and sometimes keeping the records of bad cops clean. George Joseph, Ali Winston LAW ENFORCEMENT CRACKS DOWN ON CLIMATE ACTIVISTS Vaidya Gullapalli Sep 16, 2019 CAN A SHERIFF FORCE YOU TO HELP LAW ENFORCEMENT? NOT IN CALIFORNIA. Sarah Lustbader Sep 10, 2019 ‘NO KNOCK’ WARRANTS SPUR WAVE OF CIVIL RIGHTS LAWSUITS IN LITTLEROCK
Police are accused of lying to obtain the warrants to conduct military-style raids on the homes of poor people and people of color. Joshua Vaughn Sep 06, 2019 MEET THE LATINX 19-YEAR-OLD RUNNING FOR SHERIFF IN A MAJORITY-WHITELOUISIANA PARISH
Jose ‘Lil Joe’ Chapa says one way to make Beauregard Parish ‘great again’ is to stop construction of a new jail and divert resources to services that keep people out of lockup altogether. Aaron Morrison Sep 05, 2019 NEW LAWSUIT CLAIMS A SACRAMENTO DEPUTY UNLAWFULLY ARRESTED ACTIVIST WHO PROTESTED CLEARING OF HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT Advocates and homeless people are suing Sacramento County over its treatment of homeless—and the city responded by filing a lawsuit against seven men for being a ‘public nuisance.‘ Meg O'Connor Sep 04, 2019 WHAT’S NOT TO LOVE ABOUT THE NYPD SLOWDOWN? Sarah Lustbader Sep 03, 2019 ASSUMING GUILT WHILE REPORTING ON MASS ARRESTS Kansas City news outlets called scores of people ‘violent criminals’ based solely on the word of police and the federalgovernment.
Adam H. Johnson
A PENNSYLVANIA POLICE DEPARTMENT IS ACCUSED OF KLAN INVOLVEMENT ANDDISCRIMINATION
In a civil rights lawsuit, an officer in Allentown claims he was subjected to racial discrimination before he was fired. Joshua Vaughn Aug 29, 2019 PENNSYLVANIA COUNTY OWES $67 MILLION AFTER MAN FINDS ARREST RECORDS ONMUGSHOTS.COM
Elsewhere in the country, lawsuits and legislation seek to protect people from predatory mugshot sites. Katie Rose Quandt Aug 27, 2019 POLICE RESPOND TO ACCOUNTABILITY BY THREATENING A SLOWDOWN Sarah Lustbader Aug 20, 2019 ‘IS THIS THE GUY?’ Police and prosecutors claimed facial recognition technology wasn’t at the center of a shoplifting case, but defense attorneys say it was the sole basis for probable cause to arrest.Mike Hayes
INEQUALITY, NOT VIOLENCE, IS KILLING AMERICANS AT RECORD RATES Media coverage obsessively focuses on homicides, which are at historical lows. Meanwhile, suicides and overdoses skyrocket, quietly driving record declines in American life expectancy. Jonathan Ben-Menachem PAINTING A DISTORTED PICTURE OF CRIME ‘SPIKES’ IN NEW YORK CITY Murder rates are at an all-time low in Brooklyn, but one would hardly know it reading the New York Times. Adam H. Johnson Aug 16, 2019 A NEW MEXICO MAN ACCUSED A DEPUTY OF ‘GESTAPO’-LIKE TRAINING. THENHE WAS ARRESTED.
In Valencia County, a sheriff’s deputy who once faced allegations of excessive force in Albuquerque is accused of assaulting an elderlyman.
Joshua Vaughn
RAPE SURVIVOR PETITIONS SUPREME COURT OVER HOW POLICE HANDLED HER CASE Heather Marlowe, now an activist, says neglected kits are a reflection of who and what police prioritize. Raven Rakia Aug 15, 2019 PULLING BACK THE CURTAIN ON BOSTON’S ‘OPERATION CLEAN SWEEP’ Most coverage of police raids targeting homeless people and substance users parroted official—and fraught—talking points. Jonathan Ben-Menachem CHICAGO POLICE POINTED GUNS AT AND TRAUMATIZED CHILDREN IN BOTCHED RAIDS, LAWSUITS ALLEGE Children as young as 4 years old are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder as a result, the complaints say. Lauren Gill Aug 14, 2019 OAKLAND POLICE HAVE BEEN SYSTEMATICALLY UNDERREPORTING USE OF FORCE A new internal audit shows that officers disproportionately strike, tussle with, and draw guns on Black people but then fail to disclose the incidents in their reports. Darwin BondGraham Aug 12, 2019 ‘SEE HOW QUICKLY THEY BEHAVE ONCE WE PUT OUR FOOT DOWN?’ A federal lawsuit claims that Palo Alto, California, police falsely detained, arrested, and beat a gay Latinx man—then boasted abouttheir brutality.
Joshua Vaughn Aug 08, 2019 CAUGHT ON VIDEO: A TEXAS MAN’S FATAL PURSUIT BY POLICE The family of Ricardo Treviño, an unarmed 21-year-old killed by police last year, says they’ve spent months waiting for answers onwhy he was shot.
Aaron Morrison Aug 07, 2019 FOR NEW YORK’S POLICE UNION, ANY ACCOUNTABILITY FOR ERIC GARNER’SDEATH IS TOO MUCH
Vaidya Gullapalli Aug 05, 2019 SPENDING BILLIONS ON POLICING, THEN MILLIONS ON POLICE MISCONDUCT Vaidya Gullapalli Aug 02, 2019 PROTECTING CAMPUS POLICE The New Jersey General Assembly unanimously passed a bill to extend qualified immunity to police officers at private colleges anduniversities.
Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg MAYORS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT TAKE HEAT ON POLICE BRUTALITY AND RACIAL PROFILING DURING DEBATES Current and former mayors were questioned about how they managed theirpolice departments.
Aaron Morrison Aug 01, 2019 WHAT ICE REVEALS ABOUT ITSELF WHEN IT DETAINS U.S. CITIZENSSarah Lustbader
STOKING HOSTILITY TOWARD HOMELESS PEOPLE Dozens of reports about an indigent man in Bradenton, Florida, showed the cruel excesses of local news’s homelessness coverage. Adam H. Johnson Jul 31, 2019 MY YEAR AS A NEW ORLEANS CONSENT DECREE INSIDER The Crescent City is in the final stages of a multimillion-dollar federal police reform process. Here‘s why it and other programs like it fail to achieve real reform. Matthew Nesvet Jul 30, 2019 ‘WE’VE GOT ONE IN THE SWEEP’ Three Bronx friends recount their 2012 arrests in the NYPD’s ‘Operation Crew Cut,’ along with their experiences with the court system and incarceration, and reflect on their lives seven yearslater.
Olivia Heffernan
WHEN COPS LIE, SHOULD PROSECUTORS RELY UPON THEIR TESTIMONY AT TRIAL? In California, Texas and Florida, advocates sent letters to district attorneys, demanding that they refuse to work with officers with histories of misconduct. Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg Jul29, 2019
NEW YORK CITY’S HOMELESS DIVERSION PROGRAM IS ‘SMOKE AND MIRRORS’ REFORM, ADVOCATES SAY A new effort to reduce arrests and summonses is criticized as continuing to criminalize homelessness. Raven Rakia Jul 26, 2019 FLORIDA SHERIFFS ARREST HUNDREDS IN ‘TRAFFICKING’ STINGS Offices across the state conduct operations under the guise of saving victims of human trafficking. But the vast majority of people detained, including sex workers, are charged with prostitution. Molly Minta Jul 25, 2019 AMERICA’S NEW ‘SHERIFF OF THE YEAR’ PUSHED TO ALLOW TEACHERS TO CARRY WEAPONS IN SCHOOL Sheriff Bob Gualtieri of Pinellas County, Florida, is one of the state’s most controversial lawmen. Jessica Pishko Jul 23, 2019 MEDIA FRAME: STOP QUOTING BILL BRATTON For far too long, the press has leaned on wrong-headed tough-on-crime officials like the former NYPD commissioner when reporting on the criminal legal system. Jonathan Ben-Menachem Jul 22, 2019 SPOTLIGHT: DANIEL PANTALEO WON’T FACE FEDERAL CHARGES. WILL HE BEFIRED?
Vaidya Gullapalli Jul 17, 2019 IN PENNSYLVANIA, A KIDNAPPING LAW COULD UNRAVEL A LIFE A Shippensburg man faces 15 years on the sex offense registry for offering a girl a ride.Joshua Vaughn
OAKLAND POLICE CONDUCTED AN ILLEGAL SEARCH AND THEN LIED ABOUT IT. BUT THEY MAY BE SPARED FROM DISCIPLINE. A California Superior Court ruling gives officers accused of misconduct access to investigator notes and files while cases are inprogress.
Darwin BondGraham
MEDIA FRAME: FENTANYL PANIC IS WORSENING THE OVERDOSE CRISIS Sensational and false news reports about the drug are pushing lawmakers to enact harmful policies. Zachary A. Siegel, Maia SzalavitzJul 16, 2019
NEW REPORTS HIGHLIGHT BEHAVIOR OF PORT AUTHORITY POLICE IN ‘LEWDACT’ ARRESTS
Expert reports in a 2017 federal lawsuit explore an alleged pattern of discrimination against men perceived to be gay. Kira Lerner Jul 12, 2019 AN INFAMOUS LOUISIANA SHERIFF IS ON HIS WAY OUT. NOW WHAT? Louis Ackal has said he isn’t seeking re-election. But advocates fear that may not be enough to bring change. Jessica Pishko Jul 08, 2019 SPOTLIGHT: THE DANGERS OF GANG DATABASES AND GANG POLICING Vaidya Gullapalli Jul 03, 2019 MEDIA FRAME: A ‘WAR ON COPS’ NARRATIVE WITHOUT EVIDENCE ABC News claims anti-police violence is on the rise but offers nodata.
Adam H. Johnson Jul 02, 2019 ‘A TOWN WITHOUT PITY’: LAWSUITS ALLEGE POLICE COVER-UP OF SEX ABUSE BY OFFICERS IN MAINE The accusations span decades and involve two separate Biddeford cops and at least seven alleged victims. Roxanna Asgarian Jul 01, 2019 PENNSYLVANIA POLICE DEPARTMENT ACCUSED OF SEXISM Brandi Courtesis lost her job with the Gettysburg force after saying a colleague sexually harassed her. The accused, fired for another reason, may be back in uniform soon. Joshua Vaughn Jun 27, 2019 SPOTLIGHT: AFTER NIPSEY HUSSLE’S KILLING, GANG MEMBERS CALL FOR ANEND TO VIOLENCE
Vaidya Gullapalli Jun 24, 2019 MEDIA FRAME: TIME TO BAN RIDE-ALONG POLICE TV Reality shows like ‘The First 48,’ ‘Live PD,’ and ‘Cops’ are interfering in legal cases, exploiting people of color, andthreatening lives.
Adam H. Johnson
FREMONT POLICE SAID A MAN WIELDED A DEADLY WEAPON WHEN THEY SHOT HIM. BUT RECORDS REVEAL HE WAVED A TENT POLE. The police union’s newly elected vice president led the investigation into the shooting that cleared Officer William Gourleyof any wrongdoing.
Darwin BondGraham Jun 21, 2019 SPOTLIGHT: WHEN POLICE SPREAD RACISM AND HATE ONLINE, IT SAYS SOMETHING ABOUT HOW THEY WORK Vaidya Gullapalli Jun 19, 2019 ORANGE COUNTY’S ‘STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE’ The California county has a thin blue line that appears to protect not just the police, but also the DA’s office, criminal justiceadvocates say.
Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg SPOTLIGHT: DEPARTING ALABAMA SHERIFFS DEPLETE FUNDS AND (USUALLY) FACENO CONSEQUENCES
Sarah Lustbader Jun 18, 2019 ARIZONA MAN FACES DEPORTATION AFTER FILING LAWSUIT AGAINST COCONINOCOUNTY SHERIFF
Jose Montelongo-Morales challenged the jail’s immigration detainer policy. He and some of his family members were arrested months later.Lauren Gill
FLORIDIANS ARE SUING A COP FIRED FOR PLANTING DRUGS IN THEIR VEHICLES Thanks to the diligence of one assistant state attorney, 119 cases were thrown out and the officer is under state investigation. Katie Rose Quandt Jun 17, 2019 SPOTLIGHT: DE BLASIO—THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF LAYLEEN POLANCO’S DEATH SHOULDN’T BE SO PERPLEXING Sarah Lustbader Jun 13, 2019 SPOTLIGHT: WILL CHICAGO GET A MEMORIAL TO HONOR THE SURVIVORS OFPOLICE TORTURE?
Vaidya Gullapalli Jun 12, 2019 BODY CAMERAS AND TASERS RAKE IN BILLIONS FOR AXON, BUT THEY’RE NO PANACEA FOR POLICE VIOLENCE The popularity of Axon’s tech soared after the police killing of Michael Brown in 2014, but it may be doing more harm than good in protecting people from excessive force. Jonathan Ben-Menachem Jun 10, 2019 SPOTLIGHT: A CITY COUNCIL SAYS NO TO MORE POLICEVaidya Gullapalli
MEDIA FRAME: STOKING PANIC OVER ‘FLOOD’ OF ‘JUVENILES’ IN BALTIMORE’S INNER HARBOR The sensationalist coverage of a handful of fights highlights local media’s misplaced priorities. Adam H. Johnson Jun 07, 2019 SPOTLIGHT: NEIGHBORHOOD CRIME APPS STOKE FEARS, REINFORCE RACIST STEREOTYPES, AND DON’T PREVENT CRIME Sarah Lustbader Jun 04, 2019 SPOTLIGHT: IN A STUDY OF COPS’ FACEBOOK ACCOUNTS, 1 IN 5 HAD POSTED RACIST, VIOLENT CONTENT Vaidya Gullapalli Jun 03, 2019 NEW ORLEANS POLICE APPEAR TO USE SURVEILLANCE TO INITIATEINVESTIGATIONS
City officials say its vast network of cameras are simply a tool when responding to 911 calls and complaints of criminal activity. But several cases suggest the system serves an additional purpose.Mike Hayes
A NEW MORAL PANIC TARGETS MOMS In Pennsylvania, mothers are harshly penalized for leaving children unattended in vehicles, even for several minutes. Joshua Vaughn May 30, 2019 IT’S TIME TO MAKE CHICAGO POLICE PAY FOR THEIR MISDEEDS—OUT OFTHEIR OWN BUDGET
Chicago hands out millions in settlements and legal fees for police misconduct. Its newly inaugurated mayor should take a dollar from the department’s budget for every dollar the city spends settling withits victims.
Jonathan Ben-Menachem May 29, 2019 COMMANDER OF MAJOR CALIFORNIA NARCOTICS TASK FORCE FIRED FOR A STRINGOF THEFTS AND LIES
Newly released records show that task force members faced allegations of theft and questionable overtime, all under the watch of a commander later fired for lying as the misconduct was investigated. Darwin BondGraham May 23, 2019 STATE TROOPER SAID MAN TOOK BAG FROM FENTANYL SUPPLIER, BUT VIDEO DEMONSTRATED THAT THE DEAL NEVER WENT DOWN Trooper testimony inconsistent with video and misconduct among state and local law enforcement in New Hampshire and Massachusetts have caused at least 15 drug cases to unravel. Zachary A. Siegel May 20, 2019 JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY’S PRIVATE POLICE FORCE WOULD BRING MORE COPS TO AN OVERPOLICED BALTIMORE A former Baltimore officer says the Hopkins plan should be viewed skeptically because campus police have a history of deadly force and its officials come from troubled Baltimore Police units. Larry Smith May 16, 2019 INCARCERATION IS ALWAYS A POLICY FAILURE Instead of building ‘humane jails’ to replace Rikers Island, let’s push the NYPD to cut down on arrests. Jonathan Ben-Menachem May 15, 2019 BRONX COPS CELEBRATED A COPWATCHER’S ARREST. THEY HAD NO IDEA THEY WERE CAUGHT ON TAPE. New York City just paid Jose LaSalle of the Copwatch Patrol Unit nearly $900,000 over claims of false arrest related to the 2016 incident, but his fight for justice is far from over. Ashoka Jegroo May 09, 2019 A WHITE WOMAN WAS CAUGHT ON TAPE SELLING HEROIN, BUT POLICE ARRESTED ABLACK WOMAN INSTEAD
In a case of mistaken identity, Jada Noone was arrested by Pennsylvania State Police, spent 15 days in jail and faced a felony drug case before charges were dismissed. She’s now suing over herfalse arrest.
Joshua Vaughn May 07, 2019 POLICE IN CALIFORNIA ARE KILLING SLEEPING PEOPLE The fatal shooting by Oakland police of an unconscious man as he woke is putting pressure on the California department to rethink its deployment of force. Darwin BondGraham May 02, 2019 BORDER PATROL IN NEW MEXICO STOOD BY AS RIGHT-WING MILITIA TERRORIZEDMIGRANTS
Videos and audio posted by the group and its supporters on social media raise questions about the agency’s role. Debbie Nathan Apr 29, 2019 ARE SHERIFFS NECESSARY? Advocates are pushing to abolish the office in Los Angeles andelsewhere.
Jessica Pishko Apr 24, 2019 HOUSTON COP WHO LED BOTCHED DRUG RAID OVERWHELMINGLY ARRESTED BLACKPEOPLE
After a drug bust involving Houston narcotics officer Gerald Goines turned deadly, questions are being raised about how he operated during his time on the force. Mike Hayes Apr 23, 2019 ‘IT WAS ALMOST WORSE THAN THE INCIDENT ITSELF’ New NYPD data show that in 2018 the department closed nearly 500 rape cases due to an alleged lack of participation from victims and had a declining clearance rate for rape, raising questions over its handlingof sexual assault.
Meg O'Connor
THE APPEAL PRESENTS: RAIDED A new documentary explores the notorious ‘Bronx 120’ raid—and what it says about the evolution of policing in New York City. Simon Davis-Cohen Apr 18, 2019 CALIFORNIA CITIES HAVE SHREDDED DECADES OF POLICE MISCONDUCT RECORDS Police union lawsuits delayed many local governments from complying with a new transparency law. In the meantime, some cities havedestroyed files.
Darwin BondGraham Apr 17, 2019 ‘PLEASE HELP ME, SIR’ In September, Marcus Smith experienced a mental health crisis and begged Greensboro, North Carolina police for help. Instead, they tied him with restraints. Moments later, his body went lifeless. William C. Anderson Apr 09, 2019 DID BALTIMORE COPS ‘CONSPIRE’ TO SUPPRESS EVIDENCE, LEADING TO A WRONGFUL MURDER CONVICTION? Attorneys for a man exonerated in a Baltimore murder say detectives suppressed exculpatory evidence and that the police’s homicide unit has a pattern and practice of similar conduct in decades of cases. Amelia McDonell-Parry Apr 02, 2019 NEW YORK LAWMAKERS WANT TO BAN SEX OFFENDERS FROM THE SUBWAY. THAT WON’T SOLVE ANYTHING. Banishing people from the subway will only marginalize them without addressing the problem. Guy Hamilton-Smith Apr 01, 2019 WOMEN DESCRIBE HOW A COLUMBUS VICE COP PRESSURED THEM TO TRADE SEX FORRENT
Andrew Mitchell, a former officer in Ohio who was recently indicted on charges he kidnapped women and forced them to have sex for their freedom, will soon face a grand jury for killing Donna Dalton during a prostitution arrest. Melissa Gira Grant Mar 28, 2019 FLORIDA WOMAN FACED 10 YEARS FOR ‘METH’ THAT WAS ‘JUST A ROCK’ A scandal of falsified drug arrests is spreading at a Florida sheriff’s office that has also spent more than $1.33 million settling excessive force lawsuits and is at the center of the increasingly troubled Robert Kraft case. Meg O'Connor Mar 26, 2019 WOMEN SAY PENNSYLVANIA COP COMMITTED SEXUAL ASSAULTS, RECORDED THEM ONBODY CAMERA
Their claims are part of a federal lawsuit; other women say they, too, were assaulted and the officer now faces a raft of criminal charges. Joshua Vaughn Mar 19, 2019 MIAMI POLICE ARREST THOUSANDS OF HOMELESS BUT LEAVE RAPES, ROBBERIESUNSOLVED
In 2017, over 2,000 homeless people were arrested on charges including drinking in public and panhandling. That same year, roughly 1,400 people were arrested in Miami-Dade County for rape, murder, androbbery.
Meg O'Connor Mar 18, 2019 WHAT HAPPENS BEFORE POLICE PRESS ‘RECORD’? Critics say New York’s new interrogation recording law falls short. Curtis Stephen Mar 14, 2019 ‘I’M NOT GOING ANYWHERE UNTIL THEY STOP KILLING PEOPLE’ In 2009, Anaheim police shot and killed Theresa Smith’s son. A new California law promises police transparency, but her quest for answers faces a substantial cost. Aaron Morrison Mar 13, 2019 PARTY GUESTS SUING OVER MASS ARREST FOR LESS THAN AN OUNCE OFMARIJUANA
Attorneys representing the arrestees in Cartersville, Georgia, say they were mistreated in jail, lost jobs, and endured publichumiliation.
Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg Mar11, 2019
TEXAS SHERIFFS STAND AGAINST MARIJUANA POLICY REFORM New bills would expand access to medical marijuana, but the state's sheriffs' association promises to fight even such modest legislation. Michael Arria Mar 04, 2019 POLICE UNIONS FIGHT TO RESCIND PAROLE FOR FORMER BLACK PANTHER In April 2018, Herman Bell was paroled after spending 45 years in prison in a case involving the shooting deaths of two police officers. Now, New York police unions and the widow of one of the slain officers are challenging the decision in court. Victoria Law Feb 26, 2019 CHICAGO COP’S SENTENCE FOR KILLING A BLACK TEENAGER IS ‘EXCEPTIONALLY SHORT’ Jason Van Dyke’s sentence for the 2014 murder of Laquan McDonald is approximately half the average sentence for a person convicted of second-degree murder in Cook County, Illinois. Rob Arthur Feb 25, 2019 ‘THE POLICE ACT LIKE WE ARE NOTHING’ A new coalition of people in the sex trades wants New York to become the first state to fully decriminalize their work.Melissa Gira Grant
INSIDE ‘THE STOP-AND-FRISK CAPITAL OF AMERICA’ Claims including sexual assault of a woman with mental illness to lying in reports haunt the Miami Gardens police; payouts in federal lawsuits have cost the city's taxpayers at least $3.5 million. Meg O'Connor Feb 21, 2019 THE MAYOR OF JACKSON WANTS TO HOLD ITS POLICE ACCOUNTABLE. EASIER SAIDTHAN DONE.
Since Chokwe Antar Lumumba’s 2017 election, at least five people have died at the hands of the law enforcement in Mississippi’scapital city.
Ko Bragg Feb 20, 2019 CALIFORNIA POLICE UNIONS FIGHT NEW STATE LAW PROMISING TRANSPARENCY ONMISCONDUCT RECORDS
Senate Bill 1421 requires law enforcement agencies to make public investigative records of officer-involved shootings and uses of force resulting in great bodily harm. But law enforcement unions argue that the law threatens the privacy of their members.Darwin BondGraham
POLICE POLICY FOR SALE Lexipol, a private for-profit company, has quietly become one of the most powerful voices in law enforcement policymaking in the country. Scott Morris Feb 13, 2019 I ARRESTED A MAN ON MARIJUANA CHARGES. THEN HE TOOK HIS OWN LIFE. A former Baltimore Police officer says it’s time for the department to stop wasteful, harmful marijuana arrests, especially after Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby’s announcement that her office would not prosecute cases of possession. Larry Smith Feb 11, 2019 HOW A NO-KNOCK RAID IN AUSTIN TURNED INTO A LETHAL SHOOTOUT ‘There were explosions everywhere ... I had no idea who was in thehouse.’
Jessica Pishko Feb 05, 2019 FAMILY OF DONNA DALTON, WHO WAS SHOT BY A COLUMBUS POLICE OFFICER DURING ARREST, DEMANDS INDEPENDENT INQUIRY Advocates say the case hasn’t been handled fairly and there’s little hope for justice. Melissa Gira Grant Feb 01, 2019 ‘I FEEL THE OXYGEN GOING OUT OF MY MOUTH’ In October 2018, Marshall Miles was taken into custody by Sacramento County sheriff‘s deputies outside a convenience store. About 14 hours later, he was dead. Aaron Morrison Jan 31, 2019 NEW STUDY FINDS BODY CAMERAS AREN’T OBJECTIVE WITNESSES People who view body cam footage of an incident are less likely to attribute blame to a police officer than those who see the same incident through the lens of a dashboard camera. Nicole Wetsman Jan 29, 2019 NEW YORK AGENCY DECLINES TO HELP TRANS WOMAN ALLEGEDLY HARASSED BY LAWENFORCEMENT
She is suing the Division of Human Rights for saying it’s not authorized to investigate her complaint. Emma Whitford Jan 22, 2019 BATTLE OVER FARE EVASION DECRIMINALIZATION BOILS OVER IN D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser vetoed decriminalization legislation that advocates say would curb the discriminatory policing tactics associated with fare evasion enforcement. Today, the D.C. City Council will decide if it will override her veto.Ella Fassler
ST. LOUIS COUNTY IS PROFITING OFF THE ‘MUNI SHUFFLE’ LONG AFTERFERGUSON PROTESTS
A new proposal to abolish small police forces seeks to end the cycle of debt and incarceration. Teresa Mathew Jan 18, 2019 YEARS AFTER PROTESTS, NYPD RETAINS PHOTOS OF BLACK LIVES MATTERACTIVISTS
The records raise questions about the department’s compliance with its protest monitoring rules. George Joseph Jan 17, 2019 CANNABIS ALARMISM HINDERS SMART REGULATIONS Alex Berenson says he’s concerned there’s not enough research into cannabis risks, but his misleading arguments set scientists back. Alex Gertner, Kelsey PriestJan 14, 2019
‘A CONVENIENT SCAPEGOAT’ Cherie Townsend is suing the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department after she says they falsely imprisoned her for murder and destroyedher reputation.
Raven Rakia Jan 11, 2019 JUDGE ATTACKS NYPD PRACTICE OF SEIZING TEENS’ DNA WITHOUT PARENTALCONSENT
The decision also held that the city’s routine storage of DNA profiles from nonconvicted people in a permanent database violatesstate law.
George Joseph Jan 10, 2019 TRUMP HAS TURNED THE WAR ON TRAFFICKING INTO A WAR ON IMMIGRANTS The president is drawing on two decades of bipartisan support for crackdowns on traffickers to secure support for his agenda at theborder.
Melissa Gira Grant, Debbie NathanJan 09, 2019
ICE IS USING DRIVER’S LICENSE APPLICATIONS TO ARREST IMMIGRANTS More states are giving undocumented immigrants driver’s licenses, but many DMVs are sharing their information with ICE. Debbie Nathan Dec 21, 2018 LOUISIANA STRIP CLUB DANCERS FEAR MORE CRACKDOWNS AS ‘ANTI-TRAFFICKING’ LAW GOES INTO EFFECT A ban on dancers under 21 raises questions on the growing role of the state's Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control in policing clubs.Melissa Gira Grant
VIDEO SHOWS BATON ROUGE POLICE PINNING MAN TO THE GROUND AND BEATINGHIM
The officers were part of the department's Street Crimes Unit, known among residents for its aggressive patrols. Daryl Khan, Clarissa SosinDec 20, 2018
NEW JERSEY COP SUED OVER SHOOTING RANKS FIRST IN HIS DEPARTMENT FORUSE OF FORCE
Officer Sheehan Miles of the Trenton Police Department had 43 force encounters between 2012 and 2016, according to a new database. George Joseph Dec 19, 2018 IS THE NYPD’S SPECIAL VICTIMS DIVISION PREMATURELY CLOSING SEXUALASSAULT CASES?
Advocates say victims are being pressured to sign ‘withdrawal’ forms to quickly close investigations and protect the department fromlegal liability.
Meg O'Connor Dec 17, 2018 NYPD COMMANDER’S TEXT MESSAGES SHOW HOW THE QUOTA SYSTEM PERSISTS Officers say the language used now is more subtle but still encourages numbers-driven policing. George Joseph Dec 12, 2018 ‘THINGS HAVE CHANGED’: A NEW TEXAS ANTI-IMMIGRATION MEASURE FEEDSFEAR OF THE POLICE
SB 4 encourages officers to ask for the status of anyone they detain. Debbie Nathan Dec 10, 2018 BLACK LIVES MATTER DC’S BATTLE TO END STOP-AND-FRISK IN THENATION’S CAPITAL
Advocates say the city has dragged its feet on legislation meant to ensure transparency on the police practice, and that data released so far—from 2010 to 2016, nearly 82 percent of stops involved Black people—signals that it’s time to end stop-and-frisk entirely. Ella Fassler Dec 03, 2018 IMMIGRANT WHO FLED GANGS AND TORTURE CHALLENGES ICE DETAINERS Attorneys for a Honduran woman are suing over the widespread jailhouse practice of honoring ICE requests to hold incarcerated immigrants forpickup.
Debbie Nathan
GEORGIA WOMAN ENDURED ARREST, MILLION-DOLLAR BOND, AND MONTHS OF JAIL OVER ‘METH’ THAT WAS ACTUALLY COTTON CANDY A notoriously unreliable roadside drug test administered by Monroe County sheriff's deputies led to Dasha Fincher being charged with methamphetamine trafficking. Lauren Gill Nov 27, 2018 A YEAR AFTER POLICE SHOT CALVIN TONEY, HIS FAMILY STILL DOESN’T KNOWWHAT HAPPENED
Baton Rouge residents say little has changed after Alton Sterling. Clarissa Sosin, Daryl KhanNov 19, 2018
BLACK MEN DISPROPORTIONATELY REPRESENTED ON SEX OFFENDER REGISTRIES Even though it’s unlikely that they commit sexual assault at higher rates than other ethnic or racial groups, nearly one of every 100 Black men is on a sex offender registry, a rate double that of whitemen.
Debbie Nathan Nov 15, 2018 COULD NEW CASH TO FIGHT HOMELESSNESS IN SAN FRANCISCO MEAN LESSRELIANCE ON POLICE?
Supporters hope the passage of Prop C may herald a more compassionate—and effective—approach.Melissa Gira Grant
IS A PHILADELPHIA AGENCY’S SEIZURE OF VEHICLES A NEW FORM OF CIVILASSET FORFEITURE?
The city’s experiment with civil asset forfeiture was supposed to end, but the practices of its parking agency and some in state law enforcement suggest that police may be turning to other forms of property confiscation. Ryan Briggs Nov 14, 2018 LAWSUIT ACCUSES A LOUISIANA POLICE CHIEF OF PUNCHING A MAN AND THROWING HIS WIFE TO THE GROUND Then he ordered another officer to arrest the man. George Joseph Nov 13, 2018 NEW EVIDENCE REVEALS COLUMBUS POLICE FILED MISLEADING REPORTS ON STORMY DANIELS ARREST In internal documents obtained by The Appeal, the vice unit’s supervisor admits no specific complaints were lodged against Daniels or the club before the police took action. George Joseph Nov 12, 2018 A SUIT ON BEHALF OF 6,000 WOMEN DECRIES LAW ENFORCEMENT’S HANDLING OF SEXUAL ASSAULT CASES In Travis County, detectives refused training that would have helped them interview victims of trauma. Kira Lerner Nov 09, 2018 STATES ARE ENACTING THEIR OWN BANS AGAINST ‘SANCTUARY CITY’POLICIES
In response, a new ‘Freedom Cities’ movement is rising to defend immigrants’ rights.Debbie Nathan
HOW TUESDAY’S SHERIFF ELECTIONS DEALT A BLOW TO ICE Local allies of the Trump administration fought challengers overimmigration policy.
Daniel Nichanian Nov 08, 2018 NORTH CAROLINA SHERIFF CRITICIZED FOR UNLEASHING K-9 DOGS ON BLACK PEOPLE FACES RE-ELECTION Advocates say that Sheriff Donnie Harrison is unfit for a fifth term because of such abusive practices as well as his office's cooperationwith ICE.
George Joseph Nov 02, 2018 IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PEOPLE ARRESTED WITH CELL PHONES CAN BE CHARGED WITH ‘POSSESSING INSTRUMENTS OF CRIME’ Advocates say these charges endanger sex workers and urge the policeto stop using them.
Melissa Gira Grant Oct 31, 2018 A TRUMP FAVORITE FOR HIS HARDLINE ANTI-IMMIGRATION STANCE, MARYLAND SHERIFF NOW FACES RE-ELECTION Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins seeks a fourth term as critics blast him for a record that includes poor jail conditions, in-custody suicides, and the deaths of two young people at the hands of hisdeputies.
Raven Rakia
RURAL OREGON SHERIFFS LEAD CHARGE TO REPEAL STATE’S SANCTUARY LAW More than one dozen sheriffs support Measure 105 that would allow for cooperation with federal authorities even when an immigrant suspect has not been apprehended for any crime. Mike Faulk Oct 30, 2018 BALTIMORE’S ‘EYE IN THE SKY’ PLANE IS BACK WITH A NEW PITCH:SURVEIL THE POLICE
Dismal police accountability has made communities vulnerable toprivate vendors.
Brandon Soderberg, Raven RakiaOct 26, 2018
THIS FLORIDA COUNTY’S SHERIFF IS CONTROVERSIAL. BUT HIS ELECTIONWON’T BE CLOSE.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office stands accused of violating immigrants’ rights and dismissing a shocking number of jail deaths. George Joseph Oct 23, 2018 PROGRAM MEANT TO FIGHT TERRORISM AND NARCOTRAFFICKING IS BEING USED TO TARGET THE UNDOCUMENTED COMMUNITY Opposition to Operation Stonegarden, however, is spreading; one Arizona county just rejected over $1 million of its funds. Debbie Nathan Oct 22, 2018 U.S. MARSHALS EXAGGERATED A RECENT ‘CHILD RECOVERY’ SWEEP IN MICHIGAN. HERE’S WHY THAT MATTERS. Experts say playing up the risk of sex trafficking fuels anxiety andcriminalization.
Melissa Gira Grant Oct 19, 2018 NYPD UNIT THAT MONITORED PROUD BOYS EVENT HAS TROUBLED HISTORY The Strategic Response Group was created for counter-terrorism but it's involved in everything from Broken Windows policing to suppressing protest.Ashoka Jegroo
IN ALABAMA, BLACK PEOPLE ARE 4 TIMES MORE LIKELY THAN WHITE PEOPLE TO BE ARRESTED FOR MARIJUANA POSSESSION A new report details Alabama’s “War on Marijuana” ahead of a keyDA election.
George Joseph Oct 18, 2018 MAN CONVICTED OF OBSTRUCTION FOR REFUSING TO OPEN HIS DOOR FOR POLICE If his conviction stands, it could criminalize people who refuse to do things like unlock their phones or garages at police request. Levi Pulkkinen Oct 17, 2018 SECRETIVE CAMPUS COPS PATROL ALREADY OVERPOLICED NEIGHBORHOODS Campus police forces have become more professionalized, but critics say they operate behind a veil of secrecy and often exceed theirjurisdiction.
Ryan Briggs Oct 15, 2018 THE APPEAL PODCAST: HOW ACTIVISTS BROUGHT DOWN THE MOST POWERFUL MANIN CHICAGO
With writer Kelly Hayes. Adam H. Johnson Oct 11, 2018 BALTIMORE’S GUN OFFENDER REGISTRY IS A MISFIRE Established to track anyone convicted of a gun-related offense, the registry has proved to be both racist and ineffective in reducing gunviolence.
Larry Smith Oct 09, 2018 SUIT FILED BY STRIP CLUB WORKERS IN COLUMBUS SHEDS LIGHT ON TROUBLEDVICE SQUAD
The women, who were arrested alongside Stormy Daniels in July, allege that they were smeared by arresting officers, but they’re just the latest to raise concerns. Melissa Gira Grant Oct 05, 2018 AFTER PITTSBURGH DECRIMINALIZES POT, BLACK PEOPLE ARE STILL DISPROPORTIONATELY CHARGED WITH POSSESSION About 51 percent of the people charged with possession of a small amount of marijuana in Allegheny County are Black. Joshua Vaughn Oct 03, 2018 WHEN HANDING OUT CANDY TO TRICK-OR-TREATERS MEANS RISKING ARREST Lawyer seeks end to Halloween restrictions that target people convicted of sex offenses. Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg Oct01, 2018
CLAIMS OF RACISM AND BRUTALITY DOG LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF‘DEPUTY GANGS’
A lawsuit brought by a Compton resident detailing an alleged beating by deputies is just one of nearly three dozen federal civil rights lawsuits alleging brutality and racial bias at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. George Joseph, Raven Rakia and Ethan Corey Sep 28,2018
INSIDE NY COURTS WHERE SEX WORKERS ARE ‘PAINTED AS VICTIMS AND TREATED AS CRIMINALS’ Two new reports challenge the efficacy and ethics of prostitution diversion programs in New York City and nationwide. Melissa Gira Grant Sep 21, 2018 IN WASHINGTON STATE, IT’S NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO PROSECUTE POLICEKILLINGS
This fall, however, an initiative goes to voters that would change the law on deadly force by the police, which has led to no officer there being convicted of wrongfully killing someone in the line of duty inmore than 30 years.
Mike Faulk Sep 20, 2018 PUBLIC DEFENDERS SAY NEW YORK’S NEW POLICY TO REDUCE MARIJUANA ARRESTS DOESN’T GO FAR ENOUGH The exceptions to the policy change could actually worsen the racial disparities in marijuana-related arrests, defense attorneys told TheAppeal.
Raven Rakia Sep 17, 2018 OHIO STATE REP: IF POLICE TASE OR SHOOT A CHILD, SHE PROBABLY ACTED ‘STUPID’ OR WAS ‘A PUNK’ Rep. John Becker doubles down on his recent comments about the tasing of an 11-year-old for allegedly shoplifting. Melissa Gira Grant Sep 14, 2018 JUST 6% OF COLUMBUS POLICE OFFICERS ACCOUNT FOR HALF OF ALL FORCEREPORTS
Between 2001 and 2017, the department justified officers in 99 percent of use-of-force cases, according to data released through a publicrecords request.
Ethan Corey, George JosephSep 13, 2018
A GRAND JURY INDICTED AN ALABAMA POLICE OFFICER FOR MURDER. THEN A MAYOR CAME TO HIS DEFENSE. Jeffery Parker was shot to death by a police officer in his Huntsville home. A grand jury handed up an indictment for murder, but the mayor and City Council appear to be throwing their support behind theofficer.
Lauren Gill Sep 10, 2018 HOW DECRIMINALIZING SEX WORK BECAME A CAMPAIGN ISSUE IN 2018 State Senate candidate Julia Salazar explains how sex workers’ rights is a key part of reforming criminal justice in New York. Melissa Gira Grant Sep 07, 2018 COLUMBUS OFFICER WAS UNDER INVESTIGATION WHEN HE SHOT AND KILLED DONNADALTON
Community outrage mounts over Officer Andrew Mitchell’s killing of Dalton during an attempted prostitution arrest. Melissa Gira Grant Aug 30, 2018 TWO COPS SAID THEY SAW A MAN GROPE WOMEN. THE WOMEN DISAGREED. THE DACHARGED HIM ANYWAY
An 11-month prosecution of a ‘forcible touching’ case in Manhattan sharply diverges from the office’s treatment of Harvey Weinstein, defense attorneys say. George Joseph, Simon Davis-CohenAug 29, 2018
LOUISIANA LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ARE MOONLIGHTING FOR A CONTROVERSIAL PIPELINE COMPANY Off-duty law enforcement officers are using state resources to work side jobs for the pipeline company. Karen Savage Aug 28, 2018 DOXXED BY BERKELEY POLICE Critics say the Berkeley Police Department’s unusual practice of posting anti-fascist protesters’ mugshots on Twitter endangers activists and violates free speech rights. Scott Morris Aug 24, 2018 NOTORIOUSLY BRUTAL, RACIST PLAINCLOTHES POLICING MAKES A RETURN INBALTIMORE
After the Gun Trace Task Force scandal rocked the police department, plainclothes policing was spurned. But a recently resigned commissioner championed plainclothes units, a decision the department seems to be sticking with. Larry Smith Aug 22, 2018 IT IS NOW EVEN HARDER FOR TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS TO GET VISAS Local advocates are struggling with a new immigration memo that makes it more difficult to support these survivors.Melissa Gira Grant
PROPOSED PENNSYLVANIA BILL WOULD FORCE PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC PAIN INTO A TREATMENT AGREEMENT A bill introduced in the state would require all chronic pain patients to enter into an agreement with their doctor before being prescribed opioid medication for the first time. Joshua Vaughn Aug 17, 2018 DEFUND THE BALTIMORE POLICE A former Baltimore cop questions how a department with a nearly half-billion-dollar budget that is riven by rampant corruption and brutality, bloated overtime spending, and unaccounted for patrol officers can continue to justify its existence Larry Smith Aug 15, 2018 AN INSIDE LOOK AT AN OHIO POLICE FORCE’S RACE PROBLEM A white cop joked about bringing explosives to a Black Lives Matter protest in Columbus with no consequences. A black cop joked about ‘black on black’ crime and may be fired. George Joseph Aug 13, 2018 IN NEW YORK, A HARM-REDUCTION ORGANIZATION IS LEVERAGING PARTICIPATORY DEFENSE TO EMPOWER ITS CLIENTS Grassroots group VOCAL-NY is teaching people with substance use disorder how to avoid getting ensnared in the criminal justice system. Christopher Moraff Aug 09, 2018AGAINST INNOCENCE
In the wake of Nia Wilson’s murder, it’s critical that calls for justice in response to anti-Black violence are not contingent upon appeals to white-approved notions of innocence andrespectability.
Zoé Samudzi Aug 08, 2018 MEET ‘BOB SMITH,’ THE FAKE FACEBOOK PROFILE MEMPHIS POLICE ALLEGEDLY USED TO SPY ON BLACK ACTIVISTS New records obtained by the Appeal show the account seems to have been monitoring Black Lives Matter activists for years. George Joseph Aug 02, 2018 AFTER HEARING CONCERNS ABOUT ICE, TEXAS SHERIFF RAN APPARENT TRAFFIC STING THAT LED TO DEPORTATION PROCEEDINGS A community group met with the Bastrop County sheriff in an effort to build trust between the sheriff’s office and the immigrant community. Then, the sheriff ran a sting that led to more than one dozen arrestees being handed over to ICE. Michael Arria Jul 31, 2018 MULTIPLE POLICE CARS SUMMONED TO ARREST SELMA CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST FOR ALLEGEDLY STEALING A CAMPAIGN SIGN Faya Rose Touré, a 73-year-old former judge, says she’s determined to fight the charges against her. Lauren Gill Jul 30, 2018 MEMPHIS POLICE COLLECTED BLACK LIVES MATTER ACTIVISTS’ PRIVATEFACEBOOK POSTS
Police appear to have used a fake Facebook account to 'friend' activists and archive who 'liked' their posts. George Joseph Jul 27, 2018 DRUG TESTING ORGANIZATIONS SAVE LIVES, SO WHY HAVEN’T RAVE AND CONCERT ORGANIZERS EMBRACED THEM? Groups like the Loop and DanceSafe test drugs like Ecstasy and warn users of high dosages and adulterants, but federal legislation from the early 2000s has live music promoters wary of their brand of harmreduction.
Zachary A. Siegel Jul 25, 2018 NYPD DETECTIVE WITH A SHADY PAST HELPED LOCK UP A POT DEALER FORFEDERAL CONSPIRACY
Jurors were barred from hearing about the eight civil rights lawsuits against Detective Jeremiah Williams. George Joseph Jul 24, 2018 FORMER BALTIMORE POLICE OFFICER CRITICIZES THE DEPARTMENT’S GANGDATABASE
A onetime gang liaison for the Baltimore Police Department writes that its database is racist and error-ridden. Larry Smith Jul 23, 2018 A DISTRESSED MAN CAME TO A POLICE STATION LOOKING FOR HELP. HOURS LATER, HE WAS IN A COMA. Earl McNeil’s family is demanding answers from the National City, California, police department. Max Rivlin-Nadler Jul 19, 2018 BUFFALO LAWSUIT CHALLENGES ‘RACIAL PROFILING’ IN TRAFFIC STOPS Advocacy group demands an end to traffic checkpoints concentrated in Black and Latinx areas. Prince Shakur Jul 18, 2018 IMMIGRANTS SHARE HORROR STORIES FROM INSIDE MASSACHUSETTS’S‘WORST’ JAIL
“Jail is not a country club,” the Bristol County sheriff said. “That’s why once you’ve done time in the Bristol County House of Corrections, you won’t want to come back.” Eoin Higgins Jul 17, 2018 CALIFORNIA COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT PUTS KIDS ON PROBATION FOR BADGRADES
A new lawsuit says Riverside County’s probation officers threaten to prosecute kids for ‘pre-delinquent’ behavior. Carimah Townes Jul 10, 2018 AUSTIN COPS SAID THEY SHOT A MAN WHO FIRED ON THEM–BUT IT TURNS OUT HE DIDN’T FIRE A SHOT Lawrence Parrish faces charges including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and remains jailed on $500,000 bond even though the Austin police admitted he never shot at them. Michael Arria Jul 02, 2018 THE BALTIMORE POLICE’S ‘SUMMER SURGE’ SCAM A former Baltimore Police officer says that a plan to flood the streets with local and federal law enforcement is likely to yield more of the same ineffective 'broken windows'-style arrests. Larry Smith Jun 29, 2018 A BLACK MAN CALLED THE COPS NAZIS–AND WAS CHARGED WITH A HATE CRIME A Pennsylvania hate crime statute is being used by law enforcement to punish angry arrestees. Joshua Vaughn Jun 28, 2018 RESPONSES TO VIOLENCE MUST MOVE BEYOND POLICING The solution to problems like unsolved homicides, especially in communities of color, cannot be reinvestment in institutions that wage violence against them. William C. Anderson Jun 19, 2018 THE FAMILY OF AN UNARMED HIGH SCHOOLER SHOT BY POLICE BEGS FOR ‘REALCHANGE’
The King County Sheriff's Office told reporters Tommy Le had a knife. He was actually holding a pen. Levi Pulkkinen Jun 18, 2018 NEW EVIDENCE IN THE DEATH OF A QUEENS MASSAGE WORKER Surveillance video sheds some light on the police raid that killed Yang Song last year while, advocates say, the raids continue. Emma Whitford, Melissa Gira GrantJun 15, 2018
THE NEW ORLEANS POLICE RAID THAT LAUNCHED A DANCER RESISTANCE From local charities, to the editorial pages, to city politicians, New Orleans strip clubs were blamed for human trafficking, leading to abusive police raids – harming the dancers they claimed they were protecting, and pushing the dancers to fight back. Melissa Gira Grant May 30, 2018 A FLORIDA SHERIFF’S DRAMATIC DRUG RAID WENT VIRAL, BUT IT WASN’TWHAT IT SEEMED
In the ‘fentanyl’ bust at a ‘narcotics house,’ no opioids wereseized at all.
George Joseph
A MAN MENACED ME WITH A GUN — BUT I STRUGGLED WITH CALLING THECOPS
Wendi C. Thomas May 25, 2018 LAWSUIT TESTS THE SUPREME COURT’S ‘IMMUNITY PROTECTION PROGRAM’ FOR POLICE OFFICERS WHO KILLKyle C. Barry
TWO STATES JUST MADE IT EASIER TO TAKE BABIES AWAY FROM MOTHERS WHO USE DRUGS DURING PREGNANCY Lisa Sangoi May 17, 2018 THE HIDDEN POLICE VIOLENCE EPIDEMIC BEHIND A ‘SWATTING’ DEATH Aviva Shen May 16, 2018 THE LAPD HAS A NEW SURVEILLANCE FORMULA, POWERED BY PALANTIR George Joseph May 08, 2018 ‘WE CAN MAKE HIM DISAPPEAR’: THE POWER OF COUNTY SHERIFFS Josie Duffy Rice May 07, 2018 NEW DOCUMENTS REVEAL HOW ICE MINES LOCAL POLICE DATABASES ACROSS THECOUNTRY
George Joseph Apr 26, 2018 FOSTA BACKERS TO SEX WORKERS: YOUR WORK CAN NEVER BE SAFE Melissa Gira Grant Apr 24, 2018 DATA SHOWS POLICE BRUTALITY IN AMERICA IS GETTING WORSE — 2018 COULD BE THE MOST DEADLY IN YEARS Shaun King Apr 17, 2018 IN LOUISIANA, THREATENING TO FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST POLICE CAN LEAD TO A FIVE-YEAR PRISON SENTENCEMichael Stein
THE SECRET STORY OF CORRUPTION BEHIND MEEK MILL’S INCARCERATION Jessica Brand, Ethan BrownApr 16, 2018
CHICAGO ACTIVISTS ORGANIZE AGAINST MASSIVE POLICE TRAINING ACADEMY TO BE BUILT AS SCHOOLS CLOSE Prince Shakur Apr 13, 2018 POLICE KILLED SAHEED VASSELL IN A GENTRIFYING NEIGHBORHOOD. DID THATMAKE A DIFFERENCE?
Brenden Beck Apr 11, 2018 HOUSTON POLICE CHIEF WHO CALLED MICHAEL BENNETT ‘MORALLY CORRUPT’ IS QUIET ON POLICE BRUTALITY Jessica Brand Mar 28, 2018 CAN POLICE OPPOSITION OVERTURN PAROLE REFORM? Victoria Law Mar 27, 2018 DESPITE LEADERS’ PROGRESSIVE PROMISES, NYC REMAINS ’MARIJUANA ARREST CAPITAL OF THE WORLD’ Shaun King Mar 20, 2018 NY GOV. CUOMO’S TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD PLAN TOPROTECT YOUR KIDS
Guy Hamilton-Smith Mar 19, 2018 COLUMBUS ACTIVISTS TURN OUT TO SUPPORT ‘BLACK PRIDE 4’ PROTESTERSDURING SENTENCING
Prince Shakur Mar 15, 2018 FIVE WAYS THE MEDIA-DRIVEN RAPE KIT ‘BACKLOG’ NARRATIVE GETS ITWRONG
Meaghan Ybos, Heather MarloweMar 05, 2018
NYC TRANSGENDER ACTIVIST SAYS SHE WAS CRIMINALIZED FOR DEFENDING HERSELF AGAINST ABUSER Her former partner assaulted her in her home. When the police arrived, she was arrested and he walked free. Emma Whitford Feb 26, 2018 A NATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO CRACK DOWN ON MASSAGE BUSINESSES MAY HARM THE WOMEN IT WANTS TO HELP Melissa Gira Grant, Emma WhitfordFeb 22, 2018
NYPD AGREES TO NEW RULES LIMITING ITS SEIZURES OF NEW YORKERS’PROPERTY
Max Rivlin-Nadler Feb 16, 2018 THE BIGGEST WINNERS IN TRUMP BUDGET: THE DEA AND THE WAR ON DRUGS Zachary A. Siegel Feb 15, 2018 IN PORTLAND, A MOTHER SUES FOR ANSWERS ABOUT WHY THE POLICE KILLED HERSON
Max Rivlin-Nadler Feb 14, 2018 COUNTERING THE NYPD’S NEIGHBORHOOD POLICING SCAMJosmar Trujillo
POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY AND PUBLIC DEFENDER GROUPS DEMAND TRANSPARENCY ON NYPD GANG POLICING Max Rivlin-Nadler Feb 12, 2018 NYC AGENCY USES BROOKLYN GANG RAID TO ENCOURAGE EVICTIONS OF ENTIRE FAMILIES FROM PUBLIC HOUSING Emma Whitford Jan 31, 2018 IN ‘ANTI-TRAFFICKING’ NEW ORLEANS STRIP CLUB RAIDS, POLICE MAKE NOTRAFFICKING ARRESTS
Melissa Gira Grant Jan 30, 2018 AFTER NEW YORK SUES OPIOID MANUFACTURERS, DRUG POLICY EXPERTS WARN THAT LEGAL ACTION WON’T SAVE LIVES Zachary A. Siegel Jan 29, 2018 PHILADELPHIA TO MAKE HISTORY WITH NATION’S FIRST SUPERVISEDINJECTION FACILITY
Christopher Moraff Jan 25, 2018 CALIFORNIA RULING COULD GIVE ACCUSED GANG MEMBERS A CHANCE TO CLEARTHEIR NAMES
Maura Ewing Jan 24, 2018 HOW PHILADELPHIA’S SOCIAL MEDIA-DRIVEN GANG POLICING IS STEALING YEARS FROM YOUNG PEOPLE Max Rivlin-Nadler Jan 19, 2018 STOP AND FRISK APOLOGIES PROVE THAT THE MIC MUST BE PASSED TO PEOPLE MOST AFFECTED BY THE POLICE Josmar Trujillo Jan 15, 2018 HOW A GROUP POLICING MODEL IS CRIMINALIZING WHOLE COMMUNITIES Max Rivlin-Nadler Jan 12, 2018 “MURDER EVERY DAY BUT THE SPOTLIGHT ON BIKE LIFE”: AMID 343 HOMICIDES, BALTIMORE POLICE CRACK DOWN ON DIRT BIKES Brandon Soderberg Jan 10, 2018 SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON PREDICTIVE POLICING AND RACE William Isaac, Kristian LumJan 03, 2018
PHILLY’S GANG VIOLENCE STRATEGY DOESN’T WORK. HERE’S WHY. Philadelphia implemented the “focused deterrence” model of gang policing, which includes the promise of critical social services. The reality is much different. Maura Ewing Dec 21, 2017 AMID OPIOID CRISIS, PENNSYLVANIA DISTRICT ATTORNEYS ADVOCATE FOR WARON DRUGS
Zachary A. Siegel Dec 20, 2017 FAMILY, FORMER ATTORNEY OF QUEENS WOMAN WHO FELL TO HER DEATH IN VICE STING SAY SHE WAS SEXUALLY ASSAULTED, PRESSURED TO BECOME AN INFORMANT Melissa Gira Grant, Emma WhitfordDec 15, 2017
TO END THE OPIOID CRISIS, SKIP THE HANDCUFFS AND RETHINK HEALTH INSURANCE, REPORT SAYS A new report from The Sentencing Project offers a blueprint for putting an end to a deadly epidemic. Rebecca McCray Dec 13, 2017 BALTIMORE’S LATEST PLAN TO CLAMP DOWN ON CRIME: TRICKING ANDTRAPPING YOUTH
Once again, police are vilifying kids. Carimah Townes Dec 08, 2017 THE TRUTH ABOUT PREDICTIVE POLICING AND RACE Andrew Guthrie Ferguson Dec 07,2017
MORE THAN 50,000 CALIFORNIANS CAN GET ‘BACK ON THE ROAD’ Alameda County Superior Court reversed license suspensions for 54,000 people who were punished for their inability to pay fines. Rebecca McCray Dec 04, 2017 STARVING THE BEAST: CHICAGO’S FIGHT AGAINST POLICE EXPANSION ISEVERYONE’S FIGHT
Josmar Trujillo Nov 30, 2017 AFTER DEADLY VICE STING, ADVOCATES SAY END TO PROSTITUTION ARRESTS ISLONG OVERDUE
Emma Whitford, Melissa Gira Grant FOR VICTIMS OF CORRUPT CHICAGO POLICE, AN UNUSUAL TASTE OF JUSTICE Fifteen men had their tainted convictions vacated by State’s Attorney Kim Foxx’s office, but this isn’t the norm when it comesto prosecutors.
Rebecca McCray Nov 29, 2017 AS INCIDENTS OF POLICE MISCONDUCT AND ABUSE PILE UP NATIONWIDE, JUSTICE FOR THEIR VICTIMS REMAINS FLEETINGShaun King
TENNESSEE SHERIFF LAUNCHES ‘BUSTED BINGO’ TO ROUND UP PEOPLE WITHWARRANTS
“Kiss your boyfriend goodbye.” Carimah Townes Nov 27, 2017 MEMPHIS POLICE FAILED TO PROPERLY INVESTIGATE “HUNDREDS” OF RAPE CASES, SAYS FORMER MEMPHIS POLICE SEX CRIMES DETECTIVE Melissa Gira Grant Nov 21, 2017 SYMBOLIC “JUSTICE”: CALIFORNIA’S NEW RAPE KIT LAWS FAIL TO ADDRESS EXISTING PROBLEMS WITH INVESTIGATING RAPE Dispatches is our series from organizers, attorneys, officials, and others working at the frontlines of local criminal justice reform. Heather Marlowe Nov 20, 2017 FREE MEEK MILL, PHILLY COPS PANIC OVER THEIR NEW DA, LAPD CAUGHT PLANTING DRUGS, 14 YEAR OLD BOY KILLED ON RESERVATION In Justice Roundup is my weekly debrief rounding up the justice newsyou need to know.
Shaun King Nov 14, 2017 CONTROVERSIAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY CHARGES CALIFORNIA OFFICER FOR STOLENHANDGUN
The prosecutor rarely holds officers accountable. Carimah Townes Nov 13, 2017 LOS ANGELES COUNTY TO PAY $4 MILLION TO FAMILIES OF COUPLE KILLED IN CAR CRASH CAUSED BY POLICE OFFICER District Attorney Jackie Lacey chose not to prosecute officerLarry Hannan
INDIANAPOLIS POLICE OFFICERS WILL NOT BE CRIMINALLY CHARGED FOR SHOOTING UNARMED BLACK MAN But the police chief recommends the officers’ dismissal Larry Hannan Nov 09, 2017 NEW JERSEY GOVERNOR-ELECT PROMISING BOLD CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORMAGENDA
Phil Murphy has promised marijuana legalization, end of cash bail and will look at ending minimum mandatory sentencesLarry Hannan
DISPATCH: THE TORRID LOVE AFFAIR BETWEEN LIBERALS AND BILL “BROKENWINDOWS” BRATTON
Dispatches is our series from organizers, attorneys, officials, and others working at the frontlines of local criminal justice reform. Josmar Trujillo Nov 08, 2017 DESPITE ‘PUBLIC HEALTH’ MESSAGING, LAW ENFORCEMENT INCREASINGLY PROSECUTES OVERDOSES AS HOMICIDESZachary A. Siegel
COPS WHO SLAP HOMELESS WOMEN, RAPE PRISONERS, ASSAULT CHILDREN, AND KEEP THEIR JOBS … AND OTHER UNSEEN NEWS FROM THE WORLD’S MOSTCARCERAL STATE
Shaun King Nov 07, 2017 MIXED SIGNALS: GPS MONITORS ON MEMPHIS VICTIMS Meaghan Ybos Nov 03, 2017 TRAFFICKING IN VAGARIES: HOW A TIMES PICAYUNE SERIES THAT FOUND ONLY “TRAFFICKING OPPORTUNITY” IN STRIP CLUBS PAVED THE WAY FOR A BOURBON STREET CRACKDOWNMelissa Gira Grant
INJUSTICE ROUNDUP: MY WEEKLY ROUNDUP OF STORIES ON ABUSIVE POLICE OFFICERS, PRISON GUARDS, AND PROSECUTORS Shaun King Oct 30, 2017 NYPD IS ONE DELETE BUTTON AWAY FROM LOSING ITS CIVIL FORFEITURERECORDS
Criminal charges are absent from 85 percent of all forfeiture cases inthe city.
Carimah Townes Oct 20, 2017 CHICAGO ACTIVISTS SAY #NOCOPACADEMY; HOSPITAL SAYS NO KIDNEY FOR SON OF JUSTICE-INVOLVED DAD … AND MORE Rory Fleming Oct 17, 2017 GOODBYE TENT CITY; PHILLY’S NEWSPAPER MAKES A CRAZY ENDORSEMENT; OOPS — ICE’S MANUAL TELLS TOO MUCH … AND MORE Matt Henry Oct 16, 2017 PROSECUTORS FORCED TO REDEFINE ‘GANG MEMBER’Maura Ewing
WHAT HAPPENS TO COPS WHO LIE? Max Rivlin-Nadler Oct 13, 2017 INJUSTICE ROUNDUP: MY WEEKLY ROUNDUP OF STORIES ON ABUSIVE POLICE OFFICERS, PRISON GUARDS, AND PROSECUTORSShaun King
SALT LAKE COUNTY DA UNDER FIRE AFTER FINDING FATAL SHOOTING BY POLICEJUSTIFIED
Rebecca McCray Oct 11, 2017 NO BACKLOG: WHY THE EPIDEMIC OF UNTESTED RAPE KITS IS NOT A SYMBOL OF INSUFFICIENT POLICE BUDGETS BUT INSTEAD A FAILURE TO INVESTIGATE RAPEMeaghan Ybos
ICE IS MAKING ITS MASSIVE DATA COLLECTION EFFORT SECRET AS IT LABELS MORE AND MORE IMMIGRANTS ‘GANG MEMBERS’ Max Rivlin-Nadler Oct 03, 2017 WHEN SOME PEOPLE ARE BELOW THE LAW Roy L. Austin Sep 28, 2017 THE ARREST AND CHARGING OF KARLA FRYE MARKS A PIVOTAL MOMENT FOR PROTEST IN ST. LOUIS COUNTY Her case says a lot about prosecutorial discretion.Carimah Townes
ST. LOUIS POLICE TEAM UP WITH MEDIA TO SMEAR BLACK LIVES MATTERPROTESTERS
Adam H. Johnson
IN SPITE OF POLICY CHANGE, MINNEAPOLIS BODY CAMERA PROGRAM FALLS SHORT Rebecca McCray Sep 27, 2017 A STEP TOWARD JUSTICE: FACING RACE AND FEAR IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICESYSTEM
Vincent M. Southerland Sep 25, 2017 CONTRA COSTA COUNTY WILL STOP FORCING FAMILIES TO PAY FOR INCARCERATEDKIDS
The decision was unanimous. Carimah Townes Sep 21, 2017 DECEPTIVELY TRAGIC: QUALIFIED IMMUNITY IN POLICE SUITSJennifer Laurin
ALLEGATIONS OF POLICE CORRUPTION IN CHICAGO PRESENT A BIG OPPORTUNITYFOR KIM FOXX
Who is she accountable to? Carimah Townes Sep 20, 2017 EX-DA FACES SUSPENSION AFTER FAILING TO DISCLOSE THAT COP PLANTED EVIDENCE IN MURDER CASELarry Hannan
SESSIONS SCALES BACK FEDERAL REFORM AS POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONSCONTINUE TO CRUMBLE
Rebecca McCray Sep 19, 2017 BALTIMORE BODY CAMERA CONTROVERSY GROWSAlex S. Vitale
PORTLAND IS SAYING GOODBYE TO ITS CONTROVERSIAL GANG DATABASE Police say the tool is outdated. Carimah Townes Sep 12, 2017 SAN FRANCISCO WANTS SAFE INJECTION SITES. LAW ENFORCEMENT STANDS INITS WAY.
There are approximately 22,000 intravenous drug users in the city. Carimah Townes Sep 08, 2017 CONGRESS SHOULD LEAVE MARIJUANA TO THE STATES Jonathan Blanks Sep 07, 2017 #SWIPEITFORWARD & THE DECRIMINALIZATION OF FAREBEATING IN NEW YORKCITY
Activists in New York City are engaging in profound acts of resistance against over-policing in the subways. Politicians are listening, but are they really hearing them? Jocelyn Simonson Aug 30, 2017 CRIMINAL PROSECUTION OF CALIFORNIA CANNABIS ATTORNEY RAISES CONCERNS Larry Hannan Aug 28, 2017 COUNTY ATTORNEY DROPS EIGHT CRIMINAL CASES DUE TO AN ILLEGAL SEARCH BYNEW JERSEY COPS
The officers’ credibility is under fire.Carimah Townes
HOUSTON POLICE OFFICERS WILL NOT BE TRIED OVER INVASIVE BODY CAVITY SEARCH OF BLACK WOMAN Larry Hannan Aug 24, 2017 TEXAS DISTRICT ATTORNEY TO POLICE: DO BETTER. Carimah Townes Aug 22, 2017 SPECIAL PROSECUTOR REQUESTED IN INDIANAPOLIS POLICE SHOOTING Larry Hannan Aug 17, 2017 THE FUTURE OF CIVIL ASSET FORFEITURE IN ALBUQUERQUE AT STAKE INMAYORAL RACE
Carimah Townes
CALIFORNIA PROSECUTOR DECLINES TO CHARGE POLICE OFFICER WHO SHOTUNARMED TEENAGER
Larry Hannan Aug 14, 2017 LIKE RACIST POLICE, RACIST POLICIES NEED TO GO Jonathan Blanks Aug 10, 2017 CHARGES DROPPED AGAINST BLACK TEENAGER, BUT NO EXPLANATION FOR HOW SHE WAS MISTAKEN FOR MAN WIELDING MACHETE Larry Hannan Aug 09, 2017 POLICE REFORM ACTIVISTS “CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC” ABOUT NEW PORTLANDCHIEF
Rebecca McCray
THE EPIDEMIC OF WHITE SUPREMACIST POLICE Vida B. Johnson Aug 07, 2017 RESPONSE TO TRUMP’S SPEECH FAILS TO ACKNOWLEDGE POLICE BRUTALITY David Menschel Aug 02, 2017 WHY IS PORTLAND’S MAYOR CONSIDERING A DOMESTIC ABUSER FOR POLICECHIEF?
David Menschel Jul 25, 2017 BALTIMORE LAWMAKERS ARE EYEING POTENTIALLY DISASTROUS MANDATORYMINIMUM SENTENCES
Carimah Townes Jul 21, 2017 COURT RULES MIAMI PROSECUTOR WAS WRONG TO THREATEN POLICE CRITIC Larry Hannan Jul 20, 2017 HAMILTON COUNTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY HAS USED FORFEITURE FUNDS TO HELP PAY $2.2 MILLION IN NO-BID CONTRACTS TO FRIEND AND FORMER COLLEAGUE Larry Hannan Jul 19, 2017 MANHATTAN D.A. PLEDGES TO CURTAIL PROSECUTIONS OF SUBWAY FARE JUMPERS, BUT IT’S COMPLICATED Larry Hannan Jul 17, 2017 MULTNOMAH D.A. QUIETLY IMPOSES SIGNIFICANT POLICY CHANGE CONCERNING POLICE USE-OF-FORCE INVESTIGATIONSRebecca McCray
IN MINNEAPOLIS, A FATAL POLICE SHOOTING RAISES IMPORTANT QUESTIONSABOUT BODY CAMERAS
Alex S. Vitale
LAS VEGAS AREA COPS SEIZING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FROM LOW-INCOME PEOPLEOF COLOR
Carimah Townes Jul 11, 2017 UNDER CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION, CALIFORNIA D.A. RESIGNS Rebecca McCray Jul 03, 2017 POLICE AND PROSECUTORS SHOULD DO MORE TO PROTECT IMMIGRANTS Edgar De Leon Jun 30, 2017 HONOLULU PROSECUTOR SUBJECT OF CRIMINAL PROBE Larry Hannan Jun 26, 2017 LARRY KRASNER GETS ENDORSEMENT OF PHILADELPHIA BLACK POLICE OFFICERSUNION
Larry Hannan Jun 21, 2017 Death Penalty Southeast MAN SPARED FROM EXECUTION AFTER RARE CLEMENCY GRANT It’s the first time since 2014 that someone on Georgia’s death row has been granted clemency. Braden Goyette Jan 16, 2020 Incarceration NortheastCommentary
NEW JERSEY TAKES ON VESTIGE OF THREE-FIFTHS CLAUSE: PRISONGERRYMANDERING
Sarah Lustbader Jan 16, 2020CIVIL RIGHTS
PROVIDENCE POLICE GANG DATABASE POLICY ‘TRAMPLES FUNDAMENTAL CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS,’ LAWSUIT SAYS The department is targeting communities of color and violating local and federal law by using broad ‘association’ criteria to list people in a gang database, a Rhode Island community organizationclaims.
Julia Rock, Lucas Smolcic LarsonJan 10, 2020
ILLINOIS MAN ALLEGES POLICE ILLEGALLY FORCED HIM TO UNDERGO A STRIPSEARCH, RECTAL EXAM
According to a complaint, police in Oak Lawn, a suburb of Chicago, subjected Tylus Allen Jr. to invasive searches, all of which turned upnothing.
Aaron Morrison Dec 19, 2019 NEW LAWSUIT CLAIMS TEXAS PRISON GUARDS SEXUALLY ASSAULTED FEMALE GUARD Guards at the Mark Stiles Unit in Beaumont are alleged to have led the victim to a hallway where there were no security cameras. , Roxanna Asgarian Dec 17, 2019 NEW LAWSUIT ALLEGES ABUSE AT ‘ONE OF THE WORST’ COUNTY JAILS INAMERICA
Officers at the Cuyahoga County Jail in Ohio are accused of pepper-spraying and assaulting a man for merely asking about hisrelease date.
Joshua Vaughn Dec 12, 2019 SAN FRANCISCO POLICE BRUTALITY CLAIM PUTS PRESSURE ON NEXT D.A. TO HOLD COPS ACCOUNTABLE Ahead of the city’s district attorney election on Tuesday, the alleged baton beating last month of Dacari Spiers has renewed debate over police accountability. Darwin BondGraham Nov 01, 2019 THE APPEAL PODCAST: A LACK OF BASIC RIGHTS FOR INCARCERATED WORKERS With journalist Sessi Kuwabara Blanchard Adam H. Johnson Oct 24, 2019 MISSISSIPPI SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT ACCUSED OF RACIAL PROFILING AGREES TO REFORMS THAT SETTLE BLACK RESIDENTS’ LAWSUIT The Madison County Sheriff’s Department was sued in 2017 for allegedly subjecting Black motorists and pedestrians to unconstitutional stops and searches. Aaron Morrison Oct 03, 2019 THIS LOUISIANA GULF WAR VETERAN IS SERVING LIFE FOR SELLING $30 WORTHOF MARIJUANA
Derek Harris awaits arguments in the state Supreme Court about the sentencing, which one judge called ‘unconscionable.’ Aaron Morrison Sep 24, 2019 CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT FAILS TO RESOLVE ‘CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS’ CREATED BY POLICE PRIVACY LAWS A narrow ruling on Brady lists ensures that protecting the police will continue to prevail over due process. Kyle C. Barry Sep 18, 2019 WHEN PROSECUTORS BURY POLICE LIES Court records and interviews with former prosecutors show that internal assessments of police dishonesty are rarely memorialized, potentially violating the rights of people charged in criminal cases and sometimes keeping the records of bad cops clean. George Joseph, Ali WinstonSep 17, 2019
LOUISIANA PROSECUTORS USE THE ‘HABITUAL OFFENDER’ STATUTE TO JAIL PEOPLE FOR LIFE. ATTORNEYS FOR LIFERS ARE FIGHTING BACK. Henri Lyles is challenging his life sentence under a statute that penalizes people for prior convictions. A favorable decision by the state Supreme Court would mean that he and a dozen people sentenced to life could one day be freed. Aaron Morrison Sep 12, 2019 ‘NO KNOCK’ WARRANTS SPUR WAVE OF CIVIL RIGHTS LAWSUITS IN LITTLEROCK
Police are accused of lying to obtain the warrants to conduct military-style raids on the homes of poor people and people of color. Joshua Vaughn Sep 06, 2019 MEET THE LATINX 19-YEAR-OLD RUNNING FOR SHERIFF IN A MAJORITY-WHITELOUISIANA PARISH
Jose ‘Lil Joe’ Chapa says one way to make Beauregard Parish ‘great again’ is to stop construction of a new jail and divert resources to services that keep people out of lockup altogether. Aaron Morrison Sep 05, 2019 NEW LAWSUIT CLAIMS A SACRAMENTO DEPUTY UNLAWFULLY ARRESTED ACTIVIST WHO PROTESTED CLEARING OF HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT Advocates and homeless people are suing Sacramento County over its treatment of homeless—and the city responded by filing a lawsuit against seven men for being a ‘public nuisance.‘ Meg O'Connor Sep 04, 2019 NUMBER OF YOUNG PEOPLE CHARGED IN PHILADELPHIA’S ADULT COURT DROPSSHARPLY
The decline under DA Larry Krasner, who took office in 2018, marks a significant change in juvenile justice in Pennsylvania. Joshua Vaughn Aug 30, 2019 A PENNSYLVANIA POLICE DEPARTMENT IS ACCUSED OF KLAN INVOLVEMENT ANDDISCRIMINATION
In a civil rights lawsuit, an officer in Allentown claims he was subjected to racial discrimination before he was fired. Joshua Vaughn Aug 29, 2019 ‘YOU DON’T OWN ME’ At 16, Larry Rosser was imprisoned for killing a woman who sexually and physically abused him. He served 22 years in the California prison system before being released in 2017, after parole commissioners became convinced he was a rehabilitated victim. Aaron Morrison Aug 28, 2019 THE PERSISTENT HISTORY OF EXCLUDING BLACK JURORS IN NORTH CAROLINA A statewide pattern of discrimination in jury selection has gone largely uncorrected, while lives remain in the balance, advocates say. Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg Aug26, 2019
INEQUALITY, NOT VIOLENCE, IS KILLING AMERICANS AT RECORD RATES Media coverage obsessively focuses on homicides, which are at historical lows. Meanwhile, suicides and overdoses skyrocket, quietly driving record declines in American life expectancy. Jonathan Ben-Menachem Aug 20, 2019 A NEW MEXICO MAN ACCUSED A DEPUTY OF ‘GESTAPO’-LIKE TRAINING. THENHE WAS ARRESTED.
In Valencia County, a sheriff’s deputy who once faced allegations of excessive force in Albuquerque is accused of assaulting an elderlyman.
Joshua Vaughn Aug 16, 2019 A NO-HOLDS-BARRED ASSAULT ON PROSECUTORS Attorney General William Barr pushed back against reforms by progressive prosecutors—but perhaps his greatest vitriol was reserved for the Boston DA’s attempt to rein in police. John Pfaff Aug 13, 2019 OAKLAND POLICE HAVE BEEN SYSTEMATICALLY UNDERREPORTING USE OF FORCE A new internal audit shows that officers disproportionately strike, tussle with, and draw guns on Black people but then fail to disclose the incidents in their reports. Darwin BondGraham Aug 12, 2019 ‘SEE HOW QUICKLY THEY BEHAVE ONCE WE PUT OUR FOOT DOWN?’ A federal lawsuit claims that Palo Alto, California, police falsely detained, arrested, and beat a gay Latinx man—then boasted abouttheir brutality.
Joshua Vaughn Aug 08, 2019 CALIFORNIA MAN CHARGED WITH MURDER EVEN THOUGH HE DIDN’T FIRE A SHOT Last year, lawmakers repealed the felony murder rule, which allowed prosecutors to charge defendants with murders they didn‘t commit. Prosecutors are trying to overturn the new law, but AG Xavier Becerra believes that the reform should stand. Darwin BondGraham Aug 05, 2019 IT’S TIME TO ALLOW PEOPLE WITH FELONY CONVICTIONS TO SERVE ON JURIES Vaidya Gullapalli Jul 31, 2019 IN ALABAMA, DECADES-DELAYED JUSTICE IN A DOUBLE HOMICIDE—OR A BRANDNEW INJUSTICE?
Police in Ozark said they solved the 1999 murders of two teenage girls using a genealogy database. But Coley McCraney‘s attorneys say that the case against their client is far from certain. Lauren Gill Jul 24, 2019 MEDIA FRAME: STOP QUOTING BILL BRATTON For far too long, the press has leaned on wrong-headed tough-on-crime officials like the former NYPD commissioner when reporting on the criminal legal system. Jonathan Ben-Menachem Jul 22, 2019 I WAS SEXUALLY ASSAULTED. AND I BELIEVE INCARCERATING RAPISTS DOESN’T HELP VICTIMS LIKE ME. The carceral system fails to heal victims and perpetuates trauma by caging human beings. It‘s time to try something else. Stefanie Mundhenk HarrelsonJul 18, 2019
OAKLAND POLICE CONDUCTED AN ILLEGAL SEARCH AND THEN LIED ABOUT IT. BUT THEY MAY BE SPARED FROM DISCIPLINE. A California Superior Court ruling gives officers accused of misconduct access to investigator notes and files while cases are inprogress.
Darwin BondGraham Jul 17, 2019 SAN FRANCISCO IS PAYING FOR JAMAL TRULOVE’S WRONGFUL CONVICTION.WILL KAMALA HARRIS?
Police and prosecutors framed a father of four in a 2007 murder case with local and national political implications. Kyle C. Barry Jul 02, 2019 FREMONT POLICE SAID A MAN WIELDED A DEADLY WEAPON WHEN THEY SHOT HIM. BUT RECORDS REVEAL HE WAVED A TENT POLE. The police union’s newly elected vice president led the investigation into the shooting that cleared Officer William Gourleyof any wrongdoing.
Darwin BondGraham Jun 21, 2019 QUALIFIED IMMUNITY: EXPLAINED Amir H. Ali, Emily ClarkJun 20, 2019
BODY CAMERAS AND TASERS RAKE IN BILLIONS FOR AXON, BUT THEY’RE NO PANACEA FOR POLICE VIOLENCE The popularity of Axon’s tech soared after the police killing of Michael Brown in 2014, but it may be doing more harm than good in protecting people from excessive force. Jonathan Ben-Menachem Jun 10, 2019 PLEADING GUILTY TO GET OUT OF JAIL The criminalization of poverty in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, has led to a staggering increase in incarcerated people, all at a huge cost for defendants and taxpayers alike. Joshua Vaughn Jun 06, 2019 NEW ORLEANS POLICE APPEAR TO USE SURVEILLANCE TO INITIATEINVESTIGATIONS
City officials say its vast network of cameras are simply a tool when responding to 911 calls and complaints of criminal activity. But several cases suggest the system serves an additional purpose. Mike Hayes Jun 03, 2019 AN ALABAMA WOMAN GOT PREGNANT WHILE IN JAIL. SHE HAS NO MEMORY OFHAVING SEX.
Since 2017, LaToni Daniel has been incarcerated pretrial in a capital murder case. During that time, Daniel became pregnant, and she just delivered a baby boy. But as she brings in new life, she also facesthe death penalty.
Lauren Gill May 31, 2019 IT’S TIME TO MAKE CHICAGO POLICE PAY FOR THEIR MISDEEDS—OUT OFTHEIR OWN BUDGET
Chicago hands out millions in settlements and legal fees for police misconduct. Its newly inaugurated mayor should take a dollar from the department’s budget for every dollar the city spends settling withits victims.
Jonathan Ben-Menachem May 29, 2019 NEW DATA REVEALS THE RACIAL DISPARITIES IN PENNSYLVANIA’S MONEY BAILINDUSTRY
Despite accounting for less than 12 percent of the state’s adult population, roughly 40 percent of all bail bonds were issued in cases involving a Black defendant. Joshua Vaughn May 22, 2019 NEW YORK PRISONS OFFER ‘TOUGH LOVE’ BOOT CAMP PROGRAMS. BUT PRISONERS SAY THEY’RE ‘TORTURE’ AND ‘HELL.’ Prisoners can shave time off their sentences by participating in shock incarceration programs. More than a dozen former shock prisoners say that comes at a steep cost. Keri Blakinger May 21, 2019 JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY’S PRIVATE POLICE FORCE WOULD BRING MORE COPS TO AN OVERPOLICED BALTIMORE A former Baltimore officer says the Hopkins plan should be viewed skeptically because campus police have a history of deadly force and its officials come from troubled Baltimore Police units. Larry Smith May 16, 2019 INCARCERATION IS ALWAYS A POLICY FAILURE Instead of building ‘humane jails’ to replace Rikers Island, let’s push the NYPD to cut down on arrests. Jonathan Ben-Menachem May 15, 2019 BRONX COPS CELEBRATED A COPWATCHER’S ARREST. THEY HAD NO IDEA THEY WERE CAUGHT ON TAPE. New York City just paid Jose LaSalle of the Copwatch Patrol Unit nearly $900,000 over claims of false arrest related to the 2016 incident, but his fight for justice is far from over. Ashoka Jegroo May 09, 2019 A WHITE WOMAN WAS CAUGHT ON TAPE SELLING HEROIN, BUT POLICE ARRESTED ABLACK WOMAN INSTEAD
In a case of mistaken identity, Jada Noone was arrested by Pennsylvania State Police, spent 15 days in jail and faced a felony drug case before charges were dismissed. She’s now suing over herfalse arrest.
Joshua Vaughn May 07, 2019 POLICE IN CALIFORNIA ARE KILLING SLEEPING PEOPLE The fatal shooting by Oakland police of an unconscious man as he woke is putting pressure on the California department to rethink its deployment of force. Darwin BondGraham May 02, 2019 ‘THEY SENT HIM TO HIS CELL TO DIE’ Rashad McNulty entered a guilty plea in a series of federal gang indictments in New York that have been criticized as racist and overly punitive. But before McNulty was even sentenced, he died in jail. Now, his family is seeking justice. Aaron Morrison May 01, 2019 DEPUTIES ‘TORTURED, THEN KILLED’ MAN AT GEORGIA JAIL ON ‘TASER TUESDAY,’ ATTORNEYS SAY Antonio May, a 32 year-old father of three, died in the Fulton County Jail in September after deputies pepper-sprayed and shot him with aTaser.
Aaron Morrison Apr 25, 2019 HOUSTON COP WHO LED BOTCHED DRUG RAID OVERWHELMINGLY ARRESTED BLACKPEOPLE
After a drug bust involving Houston narcotics officer Gerald Goines turned deadly, questions are being raised about how he operated during his time on the force. Mike Hayes Apr 23, 2019 CALIFORNIA CITIES HAVE SHREDDED DECADES OF POLICE MISCONDUCT RECORDS Police union lawsuits delayed many local governments from complying with a new transparency law. In the meantime, some cities havedestroyed files.
Darwin BondGraham Apr 17, 2019 ‘THEY’RE TRYING TO KILL US IN HERE’ At Virginia’s Hampton Roads Regional Jail, reform has been slow even after high-profile tragedies including the death of mentally disabled man incarcerated who allegedly stole $5 worth of snacks. Aaron Morrison Apr 16, 2019 ‘PLEASE HELP ME, SIR’ In September, Marcus Smith experienced a mental health crisis and begged Greensboro, North Carolina police for help. Instead, they tied him with restraints. Moments later, his body went lifeless. William C. Anderson Apr 09, 2019 DID BALTIMORE COPS ‘CONSPIRE’ TO SUPPRESS EVIDENCE, LEADING TO A WRONGFUL MURDER CONVICTION? Attorneys for a man exonerated in a Baltimore murder say detectives suppressed exculpatory evidence and that the police’s homicide unit has a pattern and practice of similar conduct in decades of cases. Amelia McDonell-Parry Apr 02, 2019 BLACK MISSISSIPPIANS SAY SHERIFF’S OFFICE DEPUTIES ‘TERRORIZE THE COMMUNITY LIKE A GANG WOULD’ Attorneys and advocates call for change in Madison County after the deaths of three Black people at its jail and because of what they allege is a system of roadblocks targeting Black residents. Aaron Morrison Mar 27, 2019 FLORIDA WOMAN FACED 10 YEARS FOR ‘METH’ THAT WAS ‘JUST A ROCK’ A scandal of falsified drug arrests is spreading at a Florida sheriff’s office that has also spent more than $1.33 million settling excessive force lawsuits and is at the center of the increasingly troubled Robert Kraft case. Meg O'Connor Mar 26, 2019 WOMEN SAY PENNSYLVANIA COP COMMITTED SEXUAL ASSAULTS, RECORDED THEM ONBODY CAMERA
Their claims are part of a federal lawsuit; other women say they, too, were assaulted and the officer now faces a raft of criminal charges. Joshua Vaughn Mar 19, 2019 ‘I’M NOT GOING ANYWHERE UNTIL THEY STOP KILLING PEOPLE’ In 2009, Anaheim police shot and killed Theresa Smith’s son. A new California law promises police transparency, but her quest for answers faces a substantial cost. Aaron Morrison Mar 13, 2019 FEDERAL PRISONS OFFICIAL USED PRISON LABOR FOR WORK ON HIS CHURCH The Bureau of Prisons’ South Central regional director utilized incarcerated people from a Texas prison to work on a landscaping project at his church. Lauren Gill Mar 12, 2019 CONFESSION THROWS PRISON UPRISING TRIALS INTO CHAOS A judge excluded a confession that exonerated defendants in one trial related to a Delaware prison uprising, but a pair of defendants were nonetheless acquitted, promising further problems for prosecutors. Ella Fassler Mar 05, 2019 POLICE UNIONS FIGHT TO RESCIND PAROLE FOR FORMER BLACK PANTHER In April 2018, Herman Bell was paroled after spending 45 years in prison in a case involving the shooting deaths of two police officers. Now, New York police unions and the widow of one of the slain officers are challenging the decision in court. Victoria Law Feb 26, 2019 INSIDE ‘THE STOP-AND-FRISK CAPITAL OF AMERICA’ Claims including sexual assault of a woman with mental illness to lying in reports haunt the Miami Gardens police; payouts in federal lawsuits have cost the city's taxpayers at least $3.5 million. Meg O'Connor Feb 21, 2019 CALIFORNIA POLICE UNIONS FIGHT NEW STATE LAW PROMISING TRANSPARENCY ONMISCONDUCT RECORDS
Senate Bill 1421 requires law enforcement agencies to make public investigative records of officer-involved shootings and uses of force resulting in great bodily harm. But law enforcement unions argue that the law threatens the privacy of their members. Darwin BondGraham Feb 20, 2019 MAN EXONERATED IN MURDER, BUT DIAGNOSED WITH TERMINAL CANCER AS HEAWAITED FREEDOM
William J. Richards was cleared in the death of his wife. But he says he was the victim of medical neglect while he was behind bars, which led to a cancer diagnosis becoming terminal. Now he's suing. Erika Stallings Feb 19, 2019 BAIL ACTIVIST JAILED FOR TRYING TO HELP WHEN COPS CONFRONTED MAN IN MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS Colorado-based attorney and bail activist Elisabeth Epps was just released after serving a short jail stint related to a 2015 encounter with Aurora Police. The experience gave her a new understanding of the experiences of the people she has bailed out. Aaron Morrison Feb 12, 2019 I ARRESTED A MAN ON MARIJUANA CHARGES. THEN HE TOOK HIS OWN LIFE. A former Baltimore Police officer says it’s time for the department to stop wasteful, harmful marijuana arrests, especially after Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby’s announcement that her office would not prosecute cases of possession. Larry Smith Feb 11, 2019 SENTENCED TO LIFE AT 16 IN SLAYING OF MAN WHO SHE SAID PULLED A GUN ONHER
In 1996, Michele Benjamin was sentenced to life without parole for killing a man who she said solicited her for sex and menaced her with a weapon in New Orleans. A Supreme Court decision led her to be re-sentenced to life with a chance at parole in 2016. Today, a parole hearing brings the possibility of freedom.Josie Duffy Rice
‘I FEEL THE OXYGEN GOING OUT OF MY MOUTH’ In October 2018, Marshall Miles was taken into custody by Sacramento County sheriff‘s deputies outside a convenience store. About 14 hours later, he was dead. Aaron Morrison Jan 31, 2019 EXPANSION OF LARGEST JAIL SYSTEM IN THE UNITED STATES MUST END Los Angeles County’s jail system incarcerates tens of thousands of people at a multi-billion dollar cost. The communities most impacted by mass incarceration have had enough. Patrisse Cullors, Lex StepplingJan 23, 2019
BATTLE OVER FARE EVASION DECRIMINALIZATION BOILS OVER IN D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser vetoed decriminalization legislation that advocates say would curb the discriminatory policing tactics associated with fare evasion enforcement. Today, the D.C. City Council will decide if it will override her veto. Ella Fassler Jan 22, 2019 THE ‘FAILURE TO APPEAR’ FALLACY Prosecutors denounce bail reform efforts when people miss court dates, but ‘failure to appear’ rates obscure the fact that many who miss court aren’t on the run. Ethan Corey, Puck Lo Jan09, 2019
DISABLED PRISONERS DECRY TREATMENT IN NEW YORK’S PRISON SYSTEM Prisoners in the state’s Regional Medical Units allege that they are being denied access to essential programs and services like lawlibraries.
Keri Blakinger Jan 08, 2019 CAGING KIDS IS AN AMERICAN TRADITION Trump didn’t start it, but we can end it. Ethan Brown Jan 03, 2019 OVERDOSES, RIOTS, AND ESCAPES ROIL A RURAL KENTUCKY JAIL The Boyd County Detention Center has been consumed in chaos, even as the DOJ investigates it. Now, the community is pinning hopes for reform on a new jailer. Zachary A. Siegel Jan 02, 2019 BLACK LIVES MATTER DC’S BATTLE TO END STOP-AND-FRISK IN THENATION’S CAPITAL
Advocates say the city has dragged its feet on legislation meant to ensure transparency on the police practice, and that data released so far—from 2010 to 2016, nearly 82 percent of stops involved Black people—signals that it’s time to end stop-and-frisk entirely. Ella Fassler Dec 03, 2018 GEORGIA WOMAN ENDURED ARREST, MILLION-DOLLAR BOND, AND MONTHS OF JAIL OVER ‘METH’ THAT WAS ACTUALLY COTTON CANDY A notoriously unreliable roadside drug test administered by Monroe County sheriff's deputies led to Dasha Fincher being charged with methamphetamine trafficking. Lauren Gill Nov 27, 2018 IN A PENNSYLVANIA COUNTY, BLACK CHILDREN ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY CHARGED IN ADULT COURT In 2016 and 2017, more than 80 percent of children charged as adults by the Allegheny County district attorney were Black.Joshua Vaughn
BLACK MEN DISPROPORTIONATELY REPRESENTED ON SEX OFFENDER REGISTRIES Even though it’s unlikely that they commit sexual assault at higher rates than other ethnic or racial groups, nearly one of every 100 Black men is on a sex offender registry, a rate double that of whitemen.
Debbie Nathan Nov 15, 2018 IS A PHILADELPHIA AGENCY’S SEIZURE OF VEHICLES A NEW FORM OF CIVILASSET FORFEITURE?
The city’s experiment with civil asset forfeiture was supposed to end, but the practices of its parking agency and some in state law enforcement suggest that police may be turning to other forms of property confiscation. Ryan Briggs Nov 14, 2018 NORTH CAROLINA SHERIFF CRITICIZED FOR UNLEASHING K-9 DOGS ON BLACK PEOPLE FACES RE-ELECTION Advocates say that Sheriff Donnie Harrison is unfit for a fifth term because of such abusive practices as well as his office's cooperationwith ICE.
George Joseph Nov 02, 2018 A TRUMP FAVORITE FOR HIS HARDLINE ANTI-IMMIGRATION STANCE, MARYLAND SHERIFF NOW FACES RE-ELECTION Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins seeks a fourth term as critics blast him for a record that includes poor jail conditions, in-custody suicides, and the deaths of two young people at the hands of hisdeputies.
Raven Rakia Oct 31, 2018 SOLITARY CONFINEMENT, JAIL DEATHS ROCK RACE FOR SHERIFF IN CALIFORNIA In Santa Clara County, incarcerated people, and a former undersheriff challenging six-term sheriff Laurie Smith, have turned conditions of confinement into a potent electoral issue. Victoria Law Oct 29, 2018 CASH BAIL YIELDS A NEW CASUALTY A Texas jail suicide involving a woman who couldn’t make bail in a shoplifting case highlights of the plight of pretrial detainees withmental illness.
Lauren Gill Oct 12, 2018 ‘WORSE THAN GUANTÁNAMO’ Dozens of former detainees at the Gwinnett County jail in Georgia claim they were subjected to brutality at the hands of its RapidResponse Team.
Kira Lerner Oct 01, 2018 NEW YORK WOMAN IMPRISONED FOR DEFENDING HERSELF FROM ABUSER SEEKSMERCY
Jacqueline Smalls was sentenced to 15 years in prison for killing a boyfriend whose ‘hands were his weapons.’ She now joins the ranks of criminalized survivors seeking clemency from Governor Cuomo. Victoria Law Sep 05, 2018 THE ENDLESS PUNISHMENT OF CIVIL COMMITMENT Prosecutors can subject those convicted of sexual offenses—and sometimes, those with no conviction at all—to an indefinite period of civil punishment at the end of their criminal sentence. Guy Hamilton-Smith Sep 04, 2018 AS NATIONAL PRISON STRIKE CONTINUES, INCARCERATED PEOPLE FACERETALIATION
Now in its second week, a strike staged by prisoners over poor conditions, low wages, and other issues is resulting in consequences, including harsh conduct reports and placements in solitaryconfinement.
Raven Rakia Aug 31, 2018 DEFUND THE BALTIMORE POLICE A former Baltimore cop questions how a department with a nearly half-billion-dollar budget that is riven by rampant corruption and brutality, bloated overtime spending, and unaccounted for patrol officers can continue to justify its existence Larry Smith Aug 15, 2018 MILWAUKEE CANDIDATES CLASH IN RACE TO SUCCEED THE INFAMOUS SHERIFFCLARKE
Several candidates are vying to become Milwaukee Sheriff in the wake of Sheriff David Clarke's resignation last fall. But will they truly spurn his legacy of jail deaths and cooperation with ICE? Raven Rakia Aug 10, 2018AGAINST INNOCENCE
In the wake of Nia Wilson’s murder, it’s critical that calls for justice in response to anti-Black violence are not contingent upon appeals to white-approved notions of innocence andrespectability.
Zoé Samudzi Aug 08, 2018 ST. LOUIS COUNTY COULD OUST THE PROSECUTOR WHO HELPED IGNITE FERGUSONPROTESTS
His opponent in Tuesday’s primary helped establish new police accountability and court reforms in Ferguson after the police shootingof Michael Brown.
Amanda Sakuma Aug 06, 2018 FAILURE-TO-COMPLY ARRESTS REVEAL FLAWS IN SEX OFFENDER REGISTRIES In one Pennsylvania county, more than three times as many people on the registry were charged in 2016 with failing to follow registry requirements than were charged with a new sexual offense Joshua Vaughn Aug 01, 2018 MULTIPLE POLICE CARS SUMMONED TO ARREST SELMA CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST FOR ALLEGEDLY STEALING A CAMPAIGN SIGN Faya Rose Touré, a 73-year-old former judge, says she’s determined to fight the charges against her. Lauren Gill Jul 30, 2018 NEW ORLEANS WOMAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR KILLING ABUSIVE HUSBAND IS GRANTED NEW TRIAL Catina Curley suffered physical abuse at the hands of her husband for more than a decade. When she turned a revolver on him, she was charged with murder and sentenced to life. Now, thanks to a court ruling, she has a chance at freedom. Josie Duffy Rice Jul 27, 2018 FORMER BALTIMORE POLICE OFFICER CRITICIZES THE DEPARTMENT’S GANGDATABASE
A onetime gang liaison for the Baltimore Police Department writes that its database is racist and error-ridden. Larry Smith Jul 23, 2018 PRETRIAL DETAINEES ARE BEING BILLED FOR THEIR STAY IN JAIL In jurisdictions across the country, people incarcerated before they've ever been convicted of a crime are charged a daily fee just for sitting in jail—and several courts have ruled that the practiceis legal.
Steven Hale Jul 20, 2018 HOW FINES AND FEES CRIMINALIZE POVERTY: EXPLAINED Jessica Brand Jul 16, 2018 PROSECUTORS AND JUDGES IN PENNSYLVANIA COUNTY HAMMER DEFENDANTS IN LOW-LEVEL DRUG CASES In overdose-wracked Franklin County, Pennsylvania, a small-time dealer is denied bail, while the number of drug induced homicide cases hasskyrocketed.
Joshua Vaughn Jul 09, 2018 AUSTIN COPS SAID THEY SHOT A MAN WHO FIRED ON THEM–BUT IT TURNS OUT HE DIDN’T FIRE A SHOT Lawrence Parrish faces charges including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and remains jailed on $500,000 bond even though the Austin police admitted he never shot at them. Michael Arria Jul 02, 2018 THE BALTIMORE POLICE’S ‘SUMMER SURGE’ SCAM A former Baltimore Police officer says that a plan to flood the streets with local and federal law enforcement is likely to yield more of the same ineffective 'broken windows'-style arrests. Larry Smith Jun 29, 2018 ERIC HOLDER MAY BE CONSIDERING A PRESIDENTIAL RUN. BUT HAS HIS TIMEPASSED?
As voters begin to realize that prosecutors in the world's most incarcerated nation may not be the best people to run the government, the era of the prosecutor politician could be on its way out. Chase Madar Jun 19, 2018 ALICE MARIE JOHNSON IS FREE. NOW IT’S TIME TO FREE THOUSANDS MORE PRISONERS WITH UNJUSTLY LONG SENTENCES. Kim Kardashian's successful campaign to free a 63-year-old grandmother serving a life sentence in a drug case is a reminder that we need to go big on clemency. A 52-year-old grandfather named Euka Wadlington, also doing life in a drug case, would be a great place to start. Shaun King Jun 15, 2018 THE HIDDEN POLICE VIOLENCE EPIDEMIC BEHIND A ‘SWATTING’ DEATH Aviva Shen May 16, 2018 NEW FEDERAL PRISON POLICIES MAY PUT BOOKS AND EMAIL ON ICE Lauren Gill Apr 27, 2018 PENNSYLVANIA DEMOCRATIC ATTORNEY GENERAL SHUTS DOWN BIDS FOR FREEDOM Daniel Denvir Mar 13, 2018 SAN ANTONIO DA NICO LAHOOD, AN ANTI-ISLAM, PRO-DEATH PENALTY DEMOCRAT, FACES FORMER PAL IN PRIMARY Alex Hannaford Mar 02, 2018 AS BAIL REFORM MOVES FORWARD IN CALIFORNIA, DEFENDANT WHO ADVANCED IT REMAINS INCARCERATED Max Rivlin-Nadler Mar 01, 2018 IN PORTLAND, A MOTHER SUES FOR ANSWERS ABOUT WHY THE POLICE KILLED HERSON
Max Rivlin-Nadler Feb 14, 2018 NEW ORLEANS STRIP CLUB WORKERS BATTLE ‘AGE BAN’ IN FEDERAL COURT Melissa Gira Grant Feb 12, 2018 LOS ANGELES PUBLIC DEFENDER’S OFFICE HAS A NEW INTERIM LEADER — AND SHE’S NEVER REPRESENTED INDIGENT CLIENTS Emma Whitford Feb 09, 2018 ACTIVISTS FIGHT BACK AFTER NYPD TURNS PROSECUTOR TO AVOID CIVIL SUITS Max Rivlin-Nadler, Ashoka JegrooFeb 06, 2018
PENNSYLVANIA MAN DIES IN JAIL AFTER GUARDS ALLEGEDLY IGNORED HIS OPIOID WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS Zachary A. Siegel Feb 05, 2018 FLORIDA PRISONERS ARE ON STRIKE TO PROTEST PRICE GOUGING AND THEIR ‘CURRENT SLAVE ARRANGEMENT’ Bryce Covert Feb 01, 2018 NYC AGENCY USES BROOKLYN GANG RAID TO ENCOURAGE EVICTIONS OF ENTIRE FAMILIES FROM PUBLIC HOUSING Emma Whitford Jan 31, 2018 FOR NEW YORK PRISONERS, A PACKAGE POLICY THAT EFFECTIVELY PITS TVAGAINST BOOKS
A little-known New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision policy has limited access to books in at least nineprisons for years.
Rebecca McCray Jan 11, 2018 CIVIL RIGHTS AND THE WHITE MANEL Lee Kovarsky Dec 20, 2017 NEW RULING MAY FORCE LOUISIANA TO STOP USING POOR PEOPLE TO BANKROLLITS COURTS
Aviva Shen Dec 19, 2017 JAIL POLICIES RESTRICT LEGAL REPRESENTATION IN NORTH CAROLINA Public defenders in Charlotte say restrictions on communication hinder their ability to help jailed clients. Jessica Brand Dec 14, 2017 MORE THAN 50,000 CALIFORNIANS CAN GET ‘BACK ON THE ROAD’ Alameda County Superior Court reversed license suspensions for 54,000 people who were punished for their inability to pay fines. Rebecca McCray Dec 04, 2017 CHANGING THE POLITICS OF MASS INCARCERATION Udi Ofer Oct 10, 2017 LIKE RACIST POLICE, RACIST POLICIES NEED TO GO Jonathan Blanks Aug 10, 2017__ __
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