Crime - The Legal Examiner (Page 7)

Police unions have outsized role in discipline, nonprofit says

A nonprofit organization founded to end excessive use of force by police is calling on the public to demand that all language in police union contracts related to discipline be

By Yvette C. Hammett

/ 30 Oct 2020

Coronavirus spreading swiftly through U.S. prisons

COVID-19 infection and mortality rates in prisons are much higher than in the general population, according to a national study, as crowded environments act like a petri dish for exponential

By Sheila Mullane Estrada

/ 27 Oct 2020

Family members of state prisoners protesting at the Governor's Mansion, calling for their release.

What is martial law? Can the president declare it? Good questions.

Martial Law, until recent years, was a concept for military intervention most Americans only thought of in relation to war – World War II, when it was declared in Hawaii after

By Yvette C. Hammett

/ 26 Oct 2020

Gavel resting next to a law book labeled 'Martial Law'.

It’s not just elections: Russians are targeting the U.S. justice system

Russians have targeted not only U.S. elections, but also American courts, according to national security experts, who say the justice system is being manipulated and exploited as part of

By Elaine Silvestrini

/ 23 Oct 2020

Illustration of an American flag with a magnifying glass revealing a hammer and sickle.

Down to the wire and beyond: Floridians fight for the right to vote

At the age of 53, J.C. Carlisle finally has his voice. Carlisle is one of tens of thousands of former felons who have been able to register to vote

By Elaine Silvestrini

/ 16 Oct 2020

Illustration of multiple hands of different backgrounds placing United States ballots into a polling box, symbolizing voting.

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.