In a speech Monday, Holder directed prosecutors to avoid seeking mandatory minimums for low-level drug offenses with the aim of decreasing prison population levels.
Federal judge Shira A. Scheindlin ruled today that the NYPD’s stop-and-frisk program violates the United States Constitution. The judge created a court-appointed monitor to oversee reforms to the practice.
The Brennan Center for Justice and Justice at Stake filed an amicus brief this week in support of a petition asking the Arizona Supreme Court to overturn a law that changes the selection process for judicial candidates.
The Brennan Center applauds the introduction of the Smarter Sentencing Act, a bipartisan bill that would reform overly severe drug sentencing policies and give federal judges greater flexibility in sentencing.
A military judge found Bradley Manning guilty of violating the Espionage Act but acquitted him on the more serious charge of “aiding the enemy.” Manning already has pled guilty to some charges, for which he faces up to 20 years in prison.
The Brennan Center applauds the launch of New York's Project Sunlight database, a searchable portal that discloses meetings among government officials, individuals and entities with business before those officials.
In a friend-of-the-court brief, the Brennan Center explained how striking down aggregate contribution limits would allow wealthy donors unfettered access to and influence over elected officials, mirroring the pattern of donations to Super PACs.
Today, 23 good government groups sent a letter to the DOJ urging the Attorney General to make public any reports by the Department’s Inspector General regarding the collection of Americans’ telephone records under Section 215 of the Patriot Act.
Judicial vacancies have remained uniquely high throughout Barack Obama’s presidency, creating unprecedented workloads for sitting district court judges and denying justice to millions of Americans. The president and Senate must find a way to fill these crucial seats.
The New York City Council voted overwhelmingly to pass two bills focused on improving community safety this week, one of which creates an inspector general to oversee the New York City Police Department (NYPD).
