Criminal Justice Stories
- 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 who can't afford an attorney. Senate Bill 1317 would create the Indigent Defense Advisory Committee, and a Grant Fund to provide […]
- 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 Illinois. Grassroots organizing does not always have the support of elected officials, but in Lake County the […]
- 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 several Buffalo and Erie County legal agencies, helps people get smaller marijuana-related crimes expunged from their records, as part of the 2021 New […]
- 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 ethical questions and is getting a closer look. The advocacy group 'MarchOnHarrisburg' is increasing pressure on state lawmakers […]
- 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 minimum age to be set at 13. Legislation to raise the age from 10 to 13, House Bill 111, […]
- 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, Pennsylvania doesn't have enough space in its detention centers, and it is being described as a crisis. A report by the […]
- 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 steal people's hard-earned money. The Fraud Watch tour is being led by AARP and will feature voices from the state's law enforcement community. […]
- 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 for how Dallas County could reduce the prison population by 25%, and received support from a county judge to draft […]