Crime - The Legal Examiner (Page 8)

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

Predictive policing is predictably controversial

As the debate over data-driven predictive policing continues to heat up, not every department is ready to back away from its use.

By Yvette C. Hammett

/ 16 Sep 2020

Police car with flashing lights at night.

Artificial intelligence can infringe on real-life civil liberties

Many people don’t realize is that there are gaps in artificial intelligence regulations, some of which allow infringement on civil rights. That can include housing and employment opportunities.

By Yvette C. Hammett

/ 16 Sep 2020

Icons representing artificial intelligence displayed on a screen.

Report: School police do not keep students safer

Posting armed police in public schools does not make schools safer, concludes a recent study of law enforcement in Florida schools. The study focuses on Florida schools, which are required by state law to have armed law enforcement officers on all campuses, even at elementary schools.

By Sheila Mullane Estrada

/ 14 Sep 2020

School resource officer standing in a lunchroom filled with students.

Judicial elections may be part of justice system reform

As the country comes to grips with systemic racism, experts say one overlooked avenue for reform is the way judges are selected across the U.S., notably judicial elections.

By Elaine Silvestrini

/ 9 Sep 2020

Woman in a suit placing a ballot into a ballot box.

War crimes investigations aided by artificial intelligence

Proving war crimes can be a long, tedious process, involving people spending many hours scouring thousands of images from war-torn countries like Yemen. Human rights groups across the globe are working to incorporate artificial intelligence into the process to speed up the time it takes to present e

By Yvette C. Hammett

/ 8 Sep 2020

People taking shelter in a bombed-out building.

Police surveillance cameras have time limits, Massachusetts court says

Can police mount surveillance cameras on phone and utility poles outside your house and watch your every move? Not in Massachusetts, at least not for extended periods.

By Yvette C. Hammett

/ 8 Sep 2020

Police reconsider facial recognition, other tech

The U.S. may see a decline in the use of certain technologies used by law enforcement, including facial recognition, as calls for reimagining policing continue to grow.

By Yvette C. Hammett

/ 4 Sep 2020

Software analyzing faces of pedestrians at a crowded street corner.