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.
After the Supreme Court of Washington voided a controversial new state tax initiative last week, state senate Republicans introduced a bill to reduce the number of state Supreme Court justices from nine members to five — a move that threatens judicial independence and sends the clear message that if you render decisions which are unpopular, you may lose your job.
Members of Congress can learn from this weekend's march commemorating “Bloody Sunday." It's time to focus on what’s most important, making this country better for all Americans
The need for the Voting Rights Act will die, and it should die, on the day when Americans can say to one another with a straight face that racial discrimination in voting no longer exists there. Sadly, that day has not come.
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.
A “Court Unpacking Plan” Threatens Judicial Independence
After the Supreme Court of Washington voided a controversial new state tax initiative last week, state senate Republicans introduced a bill to reduce the number of state Supreme Court justices from nine members to five — a move that threatens judicial independence and sends the clear message that if you render decisions which are unpopular, you may lose your job.
Unexpected Lessons from Selma
Members of Congress can learn from this weekend's march commemorating “Bloody Sunday." It's time to focus on what’s most important, making this country better for all Americans
Not Yet Section 5’s Time To Die
The need for the Voting Rights Act will die, and it should die, on the day when Americans can say to one another with a straight face that racial discrimination in voting no longer exists there. Sadly, that day has not come.
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