Archives for: June 29th, 2020

Could Protests Lead to Real Criminal Justice Changes in Chicago?

Jun 29, 2020

Protests that are moving across America are meant to highlight racism in the United States and how it plays out in numerous ways in our society each day. In doing this, these protests are also highlighting the myriad ways that the criminal justice system in this country must be reformed… and starting to make those reforms a reality.

Here are just a few of the criminal justice reforms that activists are working on to help ensure all Americans are free [...]

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Flimsy Evidence and Unreliable “Expert” Testimonies: Ray Krone’s Story

Mar 22, 2014

Criminal Defense

Image source: http://bit.ly/1efAOO2

It was, according to news reports from that time, a brutal and undeserved death. A 36-year-old female bartender was found dead in the men’s restroom of the bar where she worked in Phoenix, Arizona, on December 29, 1991. Apparently, she had died from a fatal stab wound, and there was little evidence to help officers track down the killer. Besides the fact that she was found naked, there were no signs of a physical assault or semen [...]

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How public defenders are suffering across the U.S.

Jun 2, 2013

Criminal Defense

What can be done when funds and public defenders are scarce? John Stuart, Minnesota State Public Defender, wrote an editorial in the Star Tribune back in March on the 50th anniversary of Gideon v. Wainwright to call attention to the issues facing the public defense system in our nation. It seems, writes Stuart, that access to public counsel is at risk – both locally and nationally.

Gideon v. Wainwright established every person’s right to legal counsel, even if they [...]

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When Chicago Police “Crack Down” on DUIs

Nov 21, 2012

Criminal Defense

As happens with many police forces, area police recently vowed to increase their vigilance when it comes to drunk driving. Consequently, one recent weekend saw multiple DUI arrests in the area because the fact is, when law enforcement promises to “crack down” on a particular criminal activity, arrests increase. However, an increase in arrests doesn’t necessarily mean that everything is in place to see an increase in convictions, especially when the one charged has a good defense lawyer from the [...]

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