The Crime Report

Viewpoints

A Victory for Independent Courts

By Matthew T. Mangino | November 27, 2020

The failure of the Donald Trump campaign to reverse the election results testifies to the strength of a court system that doesn’t succumb to political pressure. But the blizzard of questionable lawsuits filed by Trump lawyers this month demonstrates the need for continued vigilance, writes a former district attorney.

Russia Probe

Carter Page Sues U.S. Over 2016 Surveillance

By Crime and Justice News | 15 hours ago

Former Donald Trump 2016 campaign associate Page sued federal officials, saying he was the victim of “unlawful spying.”

Shootings

Two Teens Shot To Death at Sacramento Mall

By Crime and Justice News | 22 hours ago

The attack appeared to be targeted. Gun assaults and homicides have surged in the California capital during the pandemic.

Crime Trends

Are Jail Releases Police Protests Causing Crime?

By Crime and Justice News | November 28, 2020

No, says Laurie Garduque of the MacArthur Foundation, calling such critics’ contentions “dangerous misconceptions.”

Drugs

Oklahoma Leads U.S. in Medical Pot Per Capita

By Crime and Justice News | November 28, 2020

“Turns out rednecks love to smoke weed,”, says Oklahoma cannabis grower Chip Baker. Nearly 10 percent of the population have acquired medical marijuana cards.

Science & Technology

Digital Policing Tools 'Reinforce' Racial Bias, UN Panel Warns

By TCR Staff | November 27, 2020

A United Nations committee on racial discrimination found that the use of facial recognition and other algorithm-driven technologies for law enforcement and immigration control may risk deepening racism and xenophobia and could lead to human rights violations.

Juvenile Justice

L.A. County Takes First Step in ‘Care-First’ Youth Justice Reform

By Emily Riley | November 27, 2020

A five-year plan to transform juvenile justice systems in Los Angeles County will be based on a “care-first” model that emphasizes rehabilitation and support by placing youth in “home-like settings.” The plan, presented this week in a motion by the County Board of Supervisors, will create a new Department of Youth Development.

Reforming the System

Victories of Progressive DAs Caught Opponents 'Off Guard'

By TCR Staff | November 27, 2020

The victories of Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, who won her bid for re-election, George Gascon in Los Angeles and Jose Garza in Austin, Tx., reflected slow but steady support for prosecutors bent on changing the “tough on crime” approach that has driven mass incarceration. But they still represent a small percentage of prosecutors.

Clemency

Blitz of Clemency Actions Likely in Trump's Last Days

By Crime and Justice News | November 27, 2020

In addition to pardons for Trump associates, advocates are seeking hundreds of commutations for offenders in prison for crimes ranging from nonviolent drug convictions to mail fraud and money laundering.

COVID-19

Detroit Chief Says COVID-19 Jail Releases Boost Crime

By Crime and Justice News | November 27, 2020

A judge said he wouldn’t release jail inmates accused of violent crimes during the pandemic, but he has freed at least 35. Police Chief James Craig says one result is more homicides.

Research & Analysis

Reforming the System

Myriad Ways to Reduce Violence Without Police: Report

Examples include creating more green space in neighborhoods, strengthening nonviolent social norms, and providing more structure for youth, according to a recent review published by the John Jay Research and Evaluation Center. These interventions have not only reduced violence; they are also cost-effective and sustainable.
Pretrial Release

‘The Case Against Pretrial Risk Assessment’ Tools

According to a new Pretrial Justice Institute report, extensive data prove that risk assessment instruments (RAIs) used on individuals seeking release pretrial are inherently flawed. They don't accurately predict flight risk or violent crime offense risk, and are making assessments with biased data.
Guns

What Gun Rights Defenders and Police Protesters Have in Common

Protesters against police violence should be on the same side of the barricades as Second Amendment opponents of stricter gun controls, argues a Virginia law professor. Both fear the government’s “monopoly of force.”
Cybercrime

The Widening Security Holes in Our ‘Datasphere’

Cybercrime is predicted to cost the world $10.5 trillion annually by 2025. That would represent the greatest transfer of economic wealth in history, writes a computer security expert.
Policing

Law Enforcement Played ‘Minimal Role’ in COVID-19 Enforcement: Study

As Americans prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, police are unlikely to play a significant role in enforcing compliance with advisories warning against travel and limiting the number of people around the dinner table to curb the spread of COVID-19—if the results of a new survey on police enforcement of pandemic restrictions so far are any indication.
Reforming the System

Chicago Bail Reform Didn’t Increase Crime: Study

Countering police claims that people released on bail helped drive an increase in shootings, a Loyola University study argues that a key factor may be the "stress" produced by the pandemic.

WORTH A READ

Immigration

Biden’s Homeland Pick Pledges ‘Country of Welcome’ in Shadow of Immigration Backlog
By TCR Staff | November 25, 2020
More than 1.2 million cases were pending in immigration courts in October—a record number, according to the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse. That will be among the challenges faced by Alejandro Mayorkas, named by President-elect Joe Biden to head the sprawling Department of Homeland Security.
Juvenile Justice

Staff Sex Abuse of Youth in Detention Widespread, Figures Show
By TCR Staff | November 25, 2020
A new Bureau of Justice Statistics report shows that an overwhelming majority of youth who were victimized by staff reported previous inappropriate contact with their abuser.
Policing

If Cops Don’t Wear Masks, Can They Enforce COVID Safety Rules?
By Andrea Cipriano | November 24, 2020
Even in cities where mask-wearing in public is required, many police officers openly flout the rules. Some argue it’s a further manifestation of cops’ resentment over anti-police sentiments. “It’s not a good time to ask police for anything,” says one ex-New York officer.
Forensics

Can the Sixth Amendment Protect Defendants from Junk Science?
By Andrew Hamm | November 23, 2020
Two cases before the Maryland Court of Appeals are expected to address how the constitutional right to confront witnesses applies to forensic analysts whose conclusions are used as evidence in criminal cases. The cases could have far-reaching consequences in limiting the use of many aspects of forensic science that have been discredited.

Featured

Bill Moyers on Justice

By TCR Staff | December 1, 2017

Moyers was honored as TCR’s 2018 “Justice Media Trailblazer.” Watch the video of his remarks at the Feb 15, 2018 John Jay College dinner here.

The Crime Report - Your Complete Criminal Justice Resource

Russia Probe

Carter Page Sues U.S. Over 2016 Surveillance

By Crime and Justice News | 15 hours ago

Shootings

Two Teens Shot To Death at Sacramento Mall

By Crime and Justice News | 22 hours ago

Crime Trends

Are Jail Releases Police Protests Causing Crime?

By Crime and Justice News | November 28, 2020

Drugs

Oklahoma Leads U.S. in Medical Pot Per Capita

By Crime and Justice News | November 28, 2020

Clemency

Blitz of Clemency Actions Likely in Trump's Last Days

By Crime and Justice News | November 27, 2020

COVID-19

Detroit Chief Says COVID-19 Jail Releases Boost Crime

By Crime and Justice News | November 27, 2020

Capital Punishment

New DOJ Execution Rules Allow Firing Squad, Electrocution

COVID-19

Lack of Mental Health Services for Detainees Exacerbated by COVID-19

Guns

NRA Admits Executives Misused Group’s Funds

Policing

What Kind of Chief Should Washington, D.C., Name?

Immigration

Black Asylum Seekers Say Trump Forces Deportations

U.S. Settles With Women Detained for Speaking Spanish

An Ex-Sheriff Who Backed Trump Charged With Theft

CA Inmates May Have Stolen $1 Billion in Unemployment Aid

D.C. Chief Newsham Quits, Moves To Suburban County