Although constitutional protections have been codified into specific rules for the NYPD, we have little assurance they are being followed. An inspector general could help the police ease these concerns and hew closer to constitutional requirements in their efforts to keep the city safe.
The continued push for voting restrictions in the states shows the Voting Rights Act is more important than ever. How about a new Section 5 coverage plan that requires states with new discriminatory voting policies to justify their measures?
Voters and judges in North Carolina agree that justice should not be for sale. Unfortunately, the legislature looks poised to eliminate a successful program that helps judicial candidates say no to special interest money.
Anthony Lewis, a writer and journalist who transformed coverage of legal events and issues, died Monday in Cambridge, Massachusetts.The height of Lewis’ career as a reporter coincided precisely with the height of Justice Brennan’s power and influence on the Warren Court.
City Council Speaker Christine Quinn recently announced her support of a bill to establish independent oversight for the Police Department. Our experience in city government has shown us, again and again, that independent oversight makes agencies better and stronger.
Fifty years ago today, the Supreme Court recognized the constitutional right to an attorney for criminal defendants, even when they cannot afford one. Today, however, "the sad truth is that there is no universal right to counsel."
Nobody ever marched for election administration. But millions have marched for democracy. Thanks to the voting wars of 2012, they may be ready to do so again.
The Supreme Court faces another critical voting rights case Monday with a challenge to a restrictive Arizona voter registration law. To honor the promise of our Constitution that all Americans have the right to vote without facing discrimination, the court must step up and ensure our elections remain free, fair, and accessible.
There are many complex issues facing our voting system that President Obama’s commission needs to address. For our ballot design problems, however, the solution is simple — update our rules so they better reflect our new voting process and improve the voting experience of all New Yorkers.
Fifty years ago, the Supreme Court unanimously announced in Gideon v. Wainwright that the Sixth Amendment guarantees to every criminal defendant in a felony trial the right to a lawyer. Today, however, there is a vast gulf between the broad premise of the ruling and the grim practice of legal representation for the nation's poorest litigants.
An Inspector General for the Police: An Assurance of Constitutional Safeguards
Although constitutional protections have been codified into specific rules for the NYPD, we have little assurance they are being followed. An inspector general could help the police ease these concerns and hew closer to constitutional requirements in their efforts to keep the city safe.
The Voting Rights Act Becomes More Vital By the Day
The continued push for voting restrictions in the states shows the Voting Rights Act is more important than ever. How about a new Section 5 coverage plan that requires states with new discriminatory voting policies to justify their measures?
Public Financing Helps Keep Special Interests Out of N.C. Courts
Voters and judges in North Carolina agree that justice should not be for sale. Unfortunately, the legislature looks poised to eliminate a successful program that helps judicial candidates say no to special interest money.
Remembering Anthony Lewis and William Brennan
Anthony Lewis, a writer and journalist who transformed coverage of legal events and issues, died Monday in Cambridge, Massachusetts.The height of Lewis’ career as a reporter coincided precisely with the height of Justice Brennan’s power and influence on the Warren Court.
Oversight Will Help, Not Hurt, the NYPD
City Council Speaker Christine Quinn recently announced her support of a bill to establish independent oversight for the Police Department. Our experience in city government has shown us, again and again, that independent oversight makes agencies better and stronger.
The Lies We Tell Each Other About the Right To Counsel
Fifty years ago today, the Supreme Court recognized the constitutional right to an attorney for criminal defendants, even when they cannot afford one. Today, however, "the sad truth is that there is no universal right to counsel."
Playing Offense: An Aggressive Voting Rights Agenda
Nobody ever marched for election administration. But millions have marched for democracy. Thanks to the voting wars of 2012, they may be ready to do so again.
Congress Must Retain Power to Protect Voters
The Supreme Court faces another critical voting rights case Monday with a challenge to a restrictive Arizona voter registration law. To honor the promise of our Constitution that all Americans have the right to vote without facing discrimination, the court must step up and ensure our elections remain free, fair, and accessible.
Voter Friendly Ballot Act is Good for New York
There are many complex issues facing our voting system that President Obama’s commission needs to address. For our ballot design problems, however, the solution is simple — update our rules so they better reflect our new voting process and improve the voting experience of all New Yorkers.
How Americans Lost the Right to Counsel, 50 Years After 'Gideon'
Fifty years ago, the Supreme Court unanimously announced in Gideon v. Wainwright that the Sixth Amendment guarantees to every criminal defendant in a felony trial the right to a lawyer. Today, however, there is a vast gulf between the broad premise of the ruling and the grim practice of legal representation for the nation's poorest litigants.
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