Criminal Justice / Public News Service

According to a 2021 report, defendants in about half of all criminal cases in Pennsylvania had counsel provided by a public defender. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, September 26, 2022

New Bill Would Fund PA's Ailing Public Defender System

A new bill in Pennsylvania would provide money for public defenders, who say they're struggling to take on the cases of people charged with crimes …

The Lake County Gun Violence Prevention Initiative is partnering with community groups to interrupt cycles of gun violence. (Adobe Stock)<br />

IL Leaders to Issue Call to Action Over Youth Gun Violence, Mental Health

State and local leaders are joining community groups for a call to action this weekend to draw attention to efforts to support at-risk youth in Illino…

Some marijuana convictions, which keep people from getting a better job, joining the military, going back to school or getting a student loan, can be erased right now. (Adobe Stock)

Legal Clinic: How to Put a Pot Conviction Behind You

A special legal clinic is being held on September 24 in Buffalo about expunging certain marijuana convictions. The clinic, a collaboration between …

Gov. Tom Wolf said of a tougher gift ban, "That new standard of accountability remains an important step to restore faith in government and has worked successfully for more than seven years." (Mandritoiu/Adobe Stock)">

Group Turns Up Heat on PA Lawmakers to Pass Gift Ban

Pennsylvania law allows an elected official to accept a gift - including cash - as long as it's disclosed in annual reports. But that raises some …

Admissions to secure juvenile detention facilities dropped 51% in Pennsylvania between 2016 and 2020, but the median length of stay has nearly doubled. (Photographee.eu/Adobe Stock)

Lack of PA Juvenile Detention Space Reaches Critical Stage

One goal of youth and family support services is to keep kids out of juvenile detention, but for those who are accused of serious crimes, …

Juvenile detentions dropped dramatically nationwide during the early part of the pandemic, but numbers have bounced back up, especially for African American youth. (Sakhorn38/Adobe Stock)

IL Juvenile Justice Groups Press to Raise Age for Pre-trial Detention

Currently, children as young as 10 are held behind bars while awaiting trial in Illinois, and now, juvenile justice reform groups are calling for the …

The FTC says that in 2021, consumers reported losing a record-breaking $5.8 billion to fraud. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa Fraud Watch Tour to Address 'Scam Culture'

A statewide tour to help Iowans sharpen their fraud protection skills kicks off today. Organizers say perpetrators will never give up in trying to …

In March, the Dallas County Jail failed its state inspection for the second year in a row, with the agency noting it had been out of compliance for about three months. (fau.org)

Group Fears New Dallas Jail Could Stall Justice Reform

Members of a Texas group working to end mass incarceration thought they were making headway, but now they're not so sure. Faith in Texas has ideas …

Organizers behind a new hate-crime alert system in Maryland say it will send text messages and emails to Black leaders around the state. (Adobe Stock)

MD Civil Rights Group: Hate-Crime Alert System Provides Hope

As Maryland's "Emmett Till Alerts" system goes into effect, civil-rights leaders are expressing optimism about getting a handle on hate-crime …

Statistics show that older adults leaving incarceration after a lengthy term face a higher risk of homelessness compared with their younger counterparts. (Hvostik16/Adobestock)

Advocates Push for More Help for Older Adults After Incarceration

A new report on the plight of older adults reentering society after a long period of incarceration found they have an extremely hard time finding affo…

The lack of affordable housing has become an issue in states across the country, and it's even more dire if someone has to mention in their rental application that they have a criminal record. (BillionPhotos.com/Adobe Stock)

In Housing Crisis, Montanans with Criminal Records Face Higher Hurdles

It's hard for almost anyone to find housing in Montana right now, but the barriers are even higher for people with criminal records. Low …

To date, more than 550,000 individuals have used the Free Will platform to write a legal will. (Adobe Stock)

Online Tool Helps Create Legally Valid Will in 20 Minutes

August is National Make-a-Will Month, a gentle reminder to some seven in ten Americans who don't currently have a will or estate plan that it's never …

Financial fraud totaled nearly $6 billion in 2021, although experts believe the real cost is much higher because many victims are too ashamed to come forward. (Adobe Stock)

Report Urges Shifting Blame from Fraud Victim to Perpetrator

Changing how we talk about victims of financial fraud could lead to a shift in how Nebraska and the nation respond to this growing sector of criminal …

FBI Director Christopher Wray recently told the Senate Judiciary Committee the investigation of hate crimes is the number one priority within the agency's civil rights program. (fbi.gov)

Albuquerque's Muslim Community On Edge After Four Murders

Albuquerque has been thrown into the national spotlight after the shootings of four Muslim men, including three in the past two weeks, prompting …

According to the Federal Trade Commission, financial fraud totaled $5.9 billion in 2021, although experts like Stokes believe the real cost is much higher because many victims are too ashamed to come forward. (Adobe Stock)

Study Calls for Ending Financial-Fraud Victim Blaming

A new report suggested changing how we talk about victims of financial fraud could lead to a shift in how Wyoming and the nation respond to this growi…

A new report says saddling young offenders with debt, such as restitution, limits their opportunities for positive growth that can keep them out of trouble in the future. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Juvenile Justice Restitution Laws Need Reboot

States like North Dakota need to re-imagine their restitution laws for juvenile offenders, according to a new report, which showed the payments often …

Community Peace Builders and their mentor are beginning to carry out de-escalation and relationship building efforts in North Minneapolis. (Photo courtesy of EMERGE)

Community Peace Builders Instill Hope in Minneapolis

The summer season and violent crime can fuel narratives by the public and the media about safety in urban settings. But in Minnesota's largest city…

With 96% of all incarcerated persons returning to their communities, the Institute for Educational Empowerment wants to ensure individuals are prepared to take on the challenges of re-entering society. (Pixabay)

Some Incarcerated People to Become College Grads at Miami Dade College

Eighteen incarcerated students will become college graduates Tuesday at Everglades Correctional Institution in South Florida. Imagine taking an …

Texas' House Bill 1280, soon to take effect, makes it a second-degree felony

Texas Abortion Poll: Lawmakers Out of Step With Constituents

Texas soon will enact one of the strictest abortion bans in the country - and a majority of voters don't like it. Three out of four - 77% of the …

In a study of roughly 2,400 students spanning three years, a University of Pittsburgh study found more than a quarter of all Black students faced disciplinary actions for

Advocate: IL Schools Should Adopt Restorative-Justice Policies

The start of the fall semester is just around the corner for Illinois students. As children return to class, one advocate is urging school …

Portland, Ore., has been working to curb an uptick in gun violence, but there are mixed views about the use of different types of surveillance systems. (Tada Images/Adobe Stock)

Concerns Voiced About Gunshot Detection Technology for Portland

A police oversight group has formally recommended Portland adopt a technology known as "ShotSpotter" to help tackle gun violence, but the technology …

According to the Detention Watch Network, the U.S. detained nearly 250,000 immigrants in Fiscal Year 2021, in a network of about 200 facilities. (Gustavo Frazao/Adobe Stock)">

NY Law Regulates ‘Predatory’ Immigrant Bond Companies

A new law in New York State is expected to keep for-profit lenders from taking advantage of immigrants in detention facilities. Some people in the …

Ohio's 11 death row exonerees spent a collective 216 years in prison for crimes they didn't commit. (Adobe Stock)

Ohioans Mark 4 Years Since Last Execution with 'Day of Hope'

Ohio's last execution was four years ago today, and advocates for ending the death penalty are hopeful it remains the last. At noon, people at …

The Illinois Department of Corrections oversees more than 40 facilities, ranging from traditional prisons to work camps and transition centers. (Adobe Stock)

Groups Call for Water Infrastructure Testing in IL Prisons

After reports of water contamination in Illinois prisons, groups are calling on the state to conduct a top-down review of the water and sewer systems …

Research shows that counseling is an effective tool to slow the school-to-prison pipeline. (Seventy Four/Adobestock)

L.A. County Creates New Department of Youth Development

Los Angeles County, the nation's most populous county, is revamping its approach to juvenile justice, launching a new Department of Youth Development…

Takata airbags, which are now under recall, have been blamed for fatalities in otherwise survivable accidents. (Mohsan Dabiri-e Vaziri/Wikimedia Commons)

Consumer Group Presses for Better Protections for Used Car Buyers

Consumer advocates are out to stop cars with unrepaired recall defects from winding up with new owners. Federal law bans car dealers from selling …

Domestic violence experts say it can take seven attempts for a victim to permanently leave their situation. (Adobe Stock)

ND Groups Navigate Challenges to Expand Crime Victim Aid

Non-profits assisting North Dakota crime victims are trying to maintain services they've been building in recent years. As demand reaches pre-…

Nebraska taxpayers are on the hook for more than $38,000 a year for every person serving time in the state's prison system. (Adobe Stock)

Nebraska's Prison Overcrowding Emergency Now in Third Year

Nebraska is now in year three of a prison overcrowding emergency, according to the latest numbers released by the Nebraska Department of Correctional …

More than 1,000 young people were incarcerated in a Maryland youth detention center in 2021. (Adobe Stock)

Report Reveals Claims of Youth Crime Wave Unfounded

New research has found reports of skyrocketing youth crime are not only unfounded, but are fueling calls for stricter punishments. Data from the …

There's a wide range of religious beliefs about abortion in the U.S., but many in the Jewish faith have expressed support for reproductive rights. (Adobe Stock)

Post Roe: MN Jewish Groups Voice Support for Reproductive Rights

In mid-July, several groups will hold an abortion access rally in Minnesota. They include Jewish-led organizations, who say much of their community …

The share of arrests of young people has decreased in every major crime category over the past two decades. (sakhorn38/Adobe Stock)

Research Undermines Narrative of Youth-Led Crime Wave

Crime rates among young people have dropped dramatically in recent decades - despite media coverage that points to a supposed "crime wave" led by yout…

South Dakota's Pine Ridge Reservation has its own Public Safety Department to uphold tribal and federal law. (Adobe Stock)

SCOTUS Decision Prompts Concerns about Tribal Sovereignty

Tribal advocates are closely analyzing the potential impact of a new U.S. Supreme Court ruling dealing with state investigations of certain crimes on …

Before the pandemic, CDC statistics showed about 700 women died each year of pregnancy-related complications, with Black and American Indian/Alaska Native women about three times more likely to die compared to white women. (parentingupstream/Pixabay)

Study: Maternal Deaths Would Skyrocket with Nationwide Abortion Ban

Texas is home to one in 10 Americans of reproductive age, and mandated births due to the state's abortion ban will increase the number of maternal …

A report from The Sentencing Project found that calls for a return to get-tough youth justice policies are misguided and based on a false narrative rather that data. (BillionPhotos/Adobe Stock)

Report: Juvenile-Justice Reforms Show Progress in UT, US Systems

New research finds reports of skyrocketing youth crime are not only unfounded, but also are fueling calls for stricter punishments. A Sentencing …

The Supreme Court's ruling in the case Vega v. Tekoh may have weakened the court's position on Miranda rights, but does not entirely invalidate those rights for people who are arrested. (Adobe Stock)

Vega v. Tekoh Ruling Weakens ‘Miranda’ Protections

Another important U.S. Supreme Court ruling this month has been overshadowed by the controversy about overturning abortion rights. Legal experts say …

The share of crimes in the United States committed by young people has fallen by more than half over the past two decades, according to The Sentencing Project. (ThomasR�desheim/Pixabay)

Reports of Youth Crime Wave Debunked by Latest Research

New research by The Sentencing Project shows a drop in youth crime over the past 20 years, which debunks a so-called "false narrative" of a youth …

Report Urges Supports for Young People, Not Tough-on-Crime Policies

New research found reports of skyrocketing youth crime are not only unfounded, but are fueling calls for stricter punishments. Data from The …

Only three states - Georgia, Texas and Wisconsin - continue to prosecute 17-year-olds in adult courts, according to The Sentencing Project. (AlexasFotos/Pixabay)

Report: Blaming Youth for COVID Crime Wave is False

Data from The Sentencing Project showed the share of crimes in the U.S. committed by young people has fallen by more than half in the past two …

South Dakota will soon transition to a temporary state Attorney General following the impeachment and removal of Jason Ravnsborg. (Adobe Stock)

SD Political Expert: Attorney General's Removal Reflects Public Will

On the heels of Tuesday's removal of South Dakota's attorney general, a political expert says it appears lawmakers followed through on what voters …

Contraay to popular belief, youth crime did not surge during the pandemic and has been falling for two decades. (Digitalskillet1/Adobe Stock)

New Data Debunks Narrative of Youth Crime Wave

A new report from The Sentencing Project debunks the myth of a post-pandemic crime wave fueled by young people. In March, Congress held a hearing …

Surveys show a third of households with children have a gun, and nearly half of gun-owning households with children do not store all of their firearms safely. (Adobe Stock)

'Public Health Emergency': Protecting Youth from Gun Violence

Congress continues to debate possible changes to the nation's gun laws after the recent school shooting in Texas. In the meantime, efforts move …

Despite moving away from detention, arrest referrals for young people in Multnomah County have decreased drastically since 2011. (md3d/Adobe Stock)

Despite Scare, Data Shows Youth-Led Crime Down Sharply

Crime rates among young people has dropped dramatically in recent decades - despite media coverage pointing toward a supposed "crime wave" led by yout…

Among many other calls to action, the Connecticut Justice Alliance is asking the state to invest in a more equitable education system, as

CT Campaign Addresses Root Causes of Youth 'Criminalization'

Reducing the number of young people involved in the criminal justice system means working on the root causes which can lead them there. A youth …

Nevada has made progress in promoting restorative justice rather than youth incarceration. As of mid-June, the Nevada Department of Child and Family Services had 121 youths in custody. (Arloo/Adobe Stock)

Post-Pandemic Youth Crime Wave is a Myth: Report

A new report from The Sentencing Project debunks the myth of a post-pandemic crime wave fueled by young people. In March, Congress held a hearing …

Only one county in Michigan - Genessee County - offers Election Day opportunities for eligible voters in jail. (WESTOCK/Adobe Stock)

MI Coalition Spotlights Need for Jail-Based Voting Improvements

Voting-rights groups in Michigan are working to increase awareness about and access to voting in jails. In Michigan, anyone not serving a prison …

Report Discredits 'False' Stories of Youth-Led Crime Wave

New research found reports of skyrocketing youth crime are not only unfounded, but are also fueling calls for stricter punishments. Data from The …

The average victim of elder financial abuse loses upwards of $120,000. (Adobe Stock)

Maryland Protect Week: How to Spot and Stop Elder Financial Abuse

Through Friday, Maryland is hosting Protect Week, to help protect against elder financial abuse. That's when someone illegally uses an older …

Juvenile justice reform advocates in South Dakota say a lack of resources for diversion programs in some counties has created unintended consequences for a system overhaul several years ago. (Adobe Stock)

SD to Revisit Juvenile Justice Reform

This summer, South Dakota lawmakers are looking at a range of issues tied to the state's correctional system. That includes another dive into efforts …

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