Criminal Defense News of the Week
by: Sduclos • November 20, 2012 • no comments
Less Solitary Confinement = Safer Prisons
In the face of §1983 lawsuits, economic pressure, and growing humanitarian criticism, Mississippi prisons made a big change to their solitary confinement system. Just when prison violence was increasing, they decided to decrease, rather than increase restrictions. Those inmates that could be transferred to general population were transferred and those that could not were given increased privileges and more time away from their cells. The result? Huge success.
US v. Jones - What Will the FBI Think of Next?
Earlier this year, in US v. Jones, SCOTUS determined that a GPS tracker on the car of a suspected drug dealer without getting a search warrant violated the Fourth Amendment. However, the case reached a precarious balance and came at a time that the FBI was increasingly relying on this and similar investigation techniques. NPR discusses the impact of US v. Jones on the FBI's investigation practices.
SCOTUS Hears Arguments on Juveniles Sentenced to Life Without Parole
Last week, SCOTUS heard two cases about the constitutionality of a life sentence for a juvenile. The Court's questions suggest that a broad ruling is unlikely, there may be room for success on the narrower question: whether a mandatory life sentence is unconstitutional because the jury cannot consider the defendant's age, background or intent. NPR reviews the arguments.
NYPD Monitors Protestors & Mosques with Judicial Permission
Before 9/11, infiltrating political groups was one of the most tightly controlled powers the NYPD could use. After the attacks, a federal judge allowed NYPD to monitor entire Muslim neighborhoods, mosques, restaurants and law-abiding protesters in the name of preventing future terrorist attacks. NYPD's practices include attending rallies, mosques, websites, and even tracking responses in African American communities to verdicts in a police shooting. Read the article here.
