Crime - The Legal Examiner (Page 7)

Drones pose rising threat to prisons

Drones have dropped cigarettes, cell phones and drugs into jails and prisons across the United States, and federal authorities are worried the unmanned aircraft could pose an even greater danger

By Elaine Silvestrini

/ 14 Oct 2020

Drone flying near a razor wire fence at a prison.

Criminal history continues punishment far beyond prison term

A new report from the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law reveals exposure to the criminal justice system, no matter the length of time, carries consequences that

By Sheryl Nance-Nash

/ 8 Oct 2020

Criminal record document with handcuffs on a desk.

The Presidential Pardon has a long history, but Trump has changed it

The Presidential Pardon was back in the news recently with reports that Wikileaks founder Julian Assange had been offered a presidential pardon in exchange for providing evidence Russia was not

By Craig Kopp

/ 7 Oct 2020

Close-up of Uncle Sam's hand holding a 'Get Out of Jail' card.

Sexual abuse victims get new chances to come forward

A few weeks ago, a Catholic priest on the verge of being ordained bishop of Duluth, MN, was forced to resign after being accused of sexual abuse of a minor

By Waveney Ann Moore

/ 6 Oct 2020

Man holding a crying boy's shoulders while the boy makes the silence gesture with his finger.

Pretrial risk assessment tools under fire for bias

Two recent reports cast a disparaging light on the use of pretrial risk assessment tools to determine whether someone facing criminal charges should be released while awaiting trial.

By Yvette C. Hammett

/ 5 Oct 2020

Pretrial risk assessment with gavel on $100 bills on a desk.

New documentary closes saga of Florida’s ‘obscene’ cartoonist

Boiled Angels: The Trial of Mike Diana is available on Amazon Prime, where anyone with an Internet connection can see both Diana’s controversial drawings as well as the surreal path that justice took with his prosecution and punishment.

By Craig Pittman

/ 2 Oct 2020

Use of force by police gets more scrutiny

The use of force is getting more scrutiny from police chiefs with calls from the public for reforms that allow less use of force. But the public does not always understand why it is used, said Von Kliem, director of community relations and a policy instructor for the Force Science Institute in Minne

By Yvette C. Hammett

/ 1 Oct 2020

Police officers in riot gear marching forward with batons.

Helping stray dog leads to death of ‘sovereign citizen’ at hands of police

Robert Earl Lawrence, as a so-called "sovereign citizen,'' didn’t respect the laws or the courts of the United States. But after an animal services police officer shot Lawrence to death in front of his girlfriend and children, his estate turned to those same courts to hold the officer accountable.

By Elaine Silvestrini

/ 30 Sep 2020

Man holding a pistol, aiming and ready to shoot.

Resignations mount as calls for police reform get louder

As calls continue for police reform across the country, numerous top cops are either resigning or being fired in connection with use of force in their departments.

By Yvette C. Hammett

/ 29 Sep 2020

Activists gathered, one holding a 'Police Reform' sign.

CARES act fraud not easy to define

While Congress is working to root out CARES Act fraud connected to billions in business loans awarded during the COVID-19 crisis, small business owners are concerned about whether they followed the rules or will face the feds’ wrath if they didn’t.

By Yvette C. Hammett

/ 21 Sep 2020

The word 'Fraud' written in red marker, viewed under a magnifying glass.

Whistleblowers cash in, thanks to decade-old law

Prior to the Dodd-Frank Act, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission was hard-pressed to get corporate whistleblowers to come forward. But just last week, the SEC awarded $2.5 million to whistleblowers who aided in an investigation.

By Yvette C. Hammett

/ 18 Sep 2020

Man wearing a suit and holding a whistle attached to a red lanyard.

Your risk of being a crime victim likely not as high as you think

What are the chances you will get robbed this year, or assaulted, or otherwise be a crime victim? Many overestimate the risk.

By Yvette C. Hammett

/ 17 Sep 2020