TK
with Garima Malhotra
introduction by Charles Ogletree
In Kirk v. Carpeneti, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals will determine if Alaska’s judicial selection system violates the federal Equal Protection Clause. The Brennan Center filed an amicus brief in the Ninth Circuit, defending Alaska’s merit selection system.
In Doe v. Reed the Supreme Court will decide if the state of Washington can mandate the disclosure of the names of citizens who sign petitions for ballot initiatives. In an amicus brief that supports neither side, the Brennan Center for Justice urges the Supreme Court to craft a resolution to the case without impinging upon existing constitutional doctrine regarding disclosure laws in the sphere of money in politics.
Hurrell-Harring, et al. v. State of New York (Amicus Brief)
The Brennan Center co-authored an amicus brief signed by 62 former prosecutors in support of a suit that challenges New York’s indigent defense system.
Redistricting: Keeping California from reaching #1?
We’ve discussed again and again, the singular dysfunction of New York’s legislature. But California, with a $20 billion deficit contributing to the worst credit rating in the country, and a recent mess in which they either confirmed or did not confirm a lieutenant governor, is fighting for the #1 spot. Can better redistricting help?
West Virginia as Corporate Vanguard
The West Virginia House passed HR4646, a bill that would require prior shareholder consent in order for a corporation to spend money on campaigns.
A Real Fix for the Poorest Victims of the Foreclosure Crisis
Enacting the Civil Access to Justice Act is a first step toward ensuring that low-income families facing a broad range of survival-threatening civil legal issues can get the legal help they need.
Illustrations by Risko
New York’s Felon Voting Bar has Deep Roots in Jim Crow
A new study of New York’s constitutional history traces the state’s current felony disenfranchisement law to a century-long effort to keep African-American citizens out of the voting booth.
Advocates Commend Census Bureau for Enhancing States’ Access Prison Population Data in 2010
This week, the Census Bureau has agreed to produce a new data product that will assist state and local governments in avoiding prison-based gerrymandering, whereby districts that contain prisons are given extra representation in the legislature.
Morgenthau Leads 62 Former Prosecutors in Call for Better Defense of the Indigent
62 former New York prosecutors joined an amicus brief in support of a suit, now pending before New York’s highest court, which alleges that New York State’s legal services for the poor are constitutionally inadequate.
Testimony for the House Subcommittee on Corporate Governance after Citizens United
Testimony submitted 3/11/10 to the Committee on Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises.
Testimony of Adam Skaggs on MD Judicial Elections and Senate Bill 833
The subject of today’s hearing on Senate Bill 833, would conform the selection of Maryland’s circuit court judges with the selection system used to choose other judges in Maryland. In particular, Senate Bill 833 would replace contested elections with a system of appointment and retention elections.
Testimony in Support of MD Bill Aimed at Easing Burden of Criminal Justice Fees on Indigent Parolees
Testimony before the Maryland Senate’s Judicial Proceedings Committee in support of bill to fix exemption program for parole supervision fee.
Keeping Families Together, Saving Money & Other Motivations Behind New Civil Right to Counsel Laws
To inform advocates seeking expansion of the right to counsel, the Brennan Center’s Laura Abel provides an overview of existing right to counsel statutes across the states and the legislative motivations that led to their passage.
Evaluating the Reentry Hurdles of Fees and Fines Debt: A Checklist for State Reentry Taskforces
Information on the re-entry consequences of court-imposed financial obligations.
Choosing California’s State Redistricting Citizen’s Commission
Guidelines for choosing the state redistricting auditors for California. Process, Powerpoint presentation, and criteria….