Politics - The Legal Examiner (Page 7)

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.

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.

African-American gun association sees spike in members

There’s a relatively new gun lobby in town. And the events of 2020 have resulted in a spike in the 34,000 member National African American Gun Association.

By Craig Kopp

/ 28 Sep 2020

Group of demonstrators in Washington, D.C., with one person holding a 'Keep Calm Carry On' sign.

Ginsburg leaves legacy of fighting for equality

In the days after Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death, her opinions, dissents and phrases, from eloquent writings to chuckled one-liners, are cementing her as a ferocious defender of the underrepresented, especially women.

By Katherine Snow Smith

/ 25 Sep 2020

Memorial for Ruth Bader Ginsburg with flowers and a 'Rest in Power' sign.

Are parental leave policies unfair? Trial will decide.

The question of whether fathers deserve as much parental leave as mothers when a new child comes into the home is in the hands of a Washington, D.C. district judge.

By Yvette C. Hammett

/ 23 Sep 2020

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.

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.