A New Power for Prosecutors is on the Horizon—Reducing Harsh Sentences
Legislation in California would provide a direct route to resentencing, and a new tool for activists.
Legislation in California would provide a direct route to resentencing, and a new tool for activists.
Jacqueline Smalls was sentenced to 15 years in prison for killing a boyfriend whose ‘hands were his weapons.’ She now joins the ranks of criminalized survivors seeking clemency from Governor Cuomo.
The state’s “theft of leased property” statute allows prosecutors to seek felony charges for Pennsylvanians who miss payments on rental items.
Prosecutors can subject those convicted of sexual offenses—and sometimes, those with no conviction at all—to an indefinite period of civil punishment at the end of their criminal sentence.
A single training document uncovered in a prosecutor’s files could save Russell William Tucker’s life.
An 11-month prosecution of a ‘forcible touching’ case in Manhattan sharply diverges from the office’s treatment of Harvey Weinstein, defense attorneys say.
The ‘plea fee’ stems from a state law passed in the 1980s and can cost nearly $200, depending on the county.
Experts say New York’s Commission on Prosecutorial Conduct is an important first step, but the problem isn’t just misconduct—it’s the way prosecutors wield their discretion every day.
Before Edgar Coker was exonerated in a rape case, he underwent therapy meant to prevent sexual reoffenses. Thousands of kids involved in sexual offenses are forced into therapies like “relapse prevention” that experts say are ineffective.
In these cases, the state is moving to punish people who say they were charged before regulations were clear.
Jacqueline Dixon shot her husband to death in Alabama, “Stand Your Ground” state, after she said he charged at her. He had a history of domestic violence.
The passage of Senate Bill 10 would decimate the bail industry, but many advocates say it falls short of true reform.
Daniel Pantaleo remains with the NYPD four years after Garner’s death.
Public health advocates are concerned that ‘Kristen’s Law,’ meant to punish drug dealers, will criminalize users and fail to stem the opioid crisis.
‘Operation Streamline’ speeds up immigration prosecutions.
As the potential demise of Roe v. Wade looms, past and current prosecutions of pregnant women illustrate what lies ahead.
An email obtained by The Appeal shows Kim Ogg’s office is intentionally asking for unaffordable bail amounts to hold certain people in jail in Texas.
The City Council member now eyeing a run for Queens DA has a record of supporting reform, but some critics aren’t convinced.
His opponent in Tuesday’s primary helped establish new police accountability and court reforms in Ferguson after the police shooting of Michael Brown.
First, look to local prosecutor elections.
The tactics outlined encourage courtroom ‘dishonesty’ and ‘gamesmanship,’ legal experts argue.
In one Pennsylvania county, more than three times as many people on the registry were charged in 2016 with failing to follow registry requirements than were charged with a new sexual offense
Their attorneys say the new video-teleconferencing policy is exacerbating backlogs and prolonging detention.
Prosecutors on the “J20” case faced grave allegations of misconduct after withholding exculpatory evidence contained in videos from defense attorneys. But this is far from the first time that this office has found itself in hot water.
Catina Curley suffered physical abuse at the hands of her husband for more than a decade. When she turned a revolver on him, she was charged with murder and sentenced to life. Now, thanks to a court ruling, she has a chance at freedom.
York County resident Aaron Hinds overdosed on heroin with a friend. The friend died, and Hinds now faces a ‘drug delivery resulting in death’ charge and a 40-year prison sentence.
Pedro Hernandez’s case has inspired calls for reform, but he’s still being targeted for an alleged cell phone theft.
Legislation passed in Massachusetts and pending in California would set a minimum age for children to enter the juvenile justice system.
Prosecutors and judges across the country are starting to feel eyes on them.
A teenage girl spent weeks in jail, and her mother is still locked up on a $150,000 bond.
The Hart family’s apparent murder-suicide drew headlines, but the path to the tragedy started much earlier—in Texas.
Unfortunately for millions of Americans, only one case matters: Trump’s.
In overdose-wracked Franklin County, Pennsylvania, a small-time dealer is denied bail, while the number of drug induced homicide cases has skyrocketed.
Defense attorneys say they’ll have only minutes to meet with their clients before the immigrants are convicted en masse.
Did a Louisiana police chief and a prosecutor cross a line when they issued televised threats to a man who’d just been granted relief by a federal appeals court in a child killing?
Lists that include out-of-state visitors are inflating the numbers and keeping fear at a boil.
When Caddo voters booted their infamous district attorney, some of his toughest prosecutors found a home in Calcasieu.
Human rights groups, sex worker rights activists, a digital archive and others say they are already facing censorship.
Advocates in Philadelphia say a new tool to assist judges in sentencing could perpetuate bias.
Advocates decry court’s shift to using teleconferencing for hearings.