Norfolk Elects Prosecutor Who Says Crime Is a “Symptom of Structural Racism”
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.
Daniel Nichanian Jun 10, 2021
Philadelphia D.A. Race Could Ramp Up the War on Drugs
Larry Krasner has been dropping drug possession charges at a growing pace. But his challenger in the May 18 primary wants to send these cases to drug court.
Maura Ewing Apr 12, 2021
Landmark Rulings Show ‘Untapped Potential’ of State Courts To Advance Civil Rights
An emboldened progressive majority on Washington State’s highest court struck down a law that criminalized drug possession and expanded restrictions on life without parole.
Daniel Nichanian Mar 17, 2021
How States Transformed Criminal Justice in 2020, and How They Fell Short
This year of crises, revisited: Nearly 90 state-level bills and initiatives. 16 themes. 7 maps.
Daniel Nichanian Dec 18, 2020
The Election That Could Thwart New York City’s War On Drugs
The office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor is on the chopping block in Manhattan’s 2021 DA race.
Sam Mellins Dec 17, 2020
How Criminal Justice Reform Fared at the Ballot Box on Tuesday
Voters elected new sheriffs and DAs who’ve vowed to challenge mass incarceration and ICE, and they approved initiatives to curtail drug criminalization and expand voting rights.
Four States Just Legalized Marijuana
New wins for cannabis reform in Arizona, Montana, New Jersey, and South Dakota.
Kaila Philo Nov 04, 2020
Oregon Could Become the First State to Decriminalize Drugs in November
A ballot initiative could decriminalize low-level drug possession and fund addiction treatment.
Zachary A. Siegel Sep 01, 2020
Broward County Will Elect Its First New Prosecutor in 44 Years. Will the Office Veer Left?
In South Florida, the crowded Aug. 18 Democratic primary features one candidate who says he would not prosecute sex work and marijuana possession cases.
Jerry Iannelli Aug 11, 2020
Missouri Voters Could Expand Medicaid and Curb the Overdose Crisis
A referendum to expand Medicaid may be a turning point for a state with some of the worst health outcomes related to substance use.
Zachary A. Siegel Jul 17, 2020