COLORLINES - Criminal Justice

Video Exclusive: David Floyd on Why He Sued NYPD

by Seth Freed Wessler, Jay Smooth on March 25 2013, 6:00AM

Hours before he left the country for medical school, Colorlines.com caught up with David Floyd, the man who put his name on the biggest stop and frisk suit around. Here’s why he put himself on the line for this federal case.

Topics: Criminal Justice, Stop-and-Frisk

Will Arming Women Prevent Rape? [Reader Forum]

by Nia King on March 19 2013, 10:11AM

Zerlina Maxwell went on Fox News and put rape culture on blast. Was her message effective? The Colorlines community responds.

Topics: Criminal Justice

Dispatch From Brooklyn: Fraying Patience With NYPD’s Protection

by Jamilah King on March 18 2013, 11:03AM

As the department’s stop-and-frisk program heads to court this week, the scene in Flatbush reveals just how tired many communities have become of the city’s policing style.

Topics: Criminal Justice, Dispatches, Stop-and-Frisk

On ‘Gideon’s’ 50th, a Crisis in Public Defense Deepens Racial Inequality

by Seth Freed Wessler on March 18 2013, 9:30AM

Fifty years ago today, “Gideon v. Wainwright” locked in poor peoples’ right to court-appointed counsel. Too bad the public defense system it wrought has failed to keep pace with drug-war policies that have led to the mass incarceration of black and brown people.

Topics: Criminal Justice

Report: NYPD Spy Program Traumatized Muslim Communities

by Seth Freed Wessler on March 12 2013, 8:48AM

A new report documents the human impact of the NYPD’s sprawling Muslim surveillance program. Though there’s no evidence that the spying stopped acts of terrorism, the report found that it has stoked fear and mistrust in schools, neighborhoods—and mosques.

Topics: Criminal Justice, NYPD Spying, Wealth Gap

New Study Finds a Dramatic Drop in Youth Incarceration Rates

by Julianne Hing on March 1 2013, 9:00AM

Thanks to falling youth crime rates and cash-strapped states (seriously), juveniles are less likely to land in prison. But when it comes to racial disparities, the devil remains in the details.

Topics: Criminal Justice, School-to-Prison, Schools & Youth

Florida Task Force on ‘Stand Your Ground’ Gives the Controversial Law a Vote of Confidence

by Jamilah King on February 27 2013, 8:57AM

In the aftermath of the Trayvon Martin shooting, Florida Governor Rick Scott appointed a task force to examine the state’s ‘kill at will’ law. Their conclusion? It works just fine.

Topics: Criminal Justice, Trayvon Martin

After Trayvon: Acts of Kindness, Courage and Resistance

by Jorge Rivas on February 26 2013, 9:25AM

One year ago, unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin was shot to death by self-appointed neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman. A look at how people from all walks of life came together to support his family and call for justice.

Topics: Criminal Justice, Trayvon Martin

Obama’s Fatherhood Meme Ruffles Otherwise Ardent Supporters

by Jamilah King on February 20 2013, 10:43AM

Critics are asking why the president sees family structure as the gun problem in Chicago, but not in Newton.

Topics: Chicago, Criminal Justice, Guns

5 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Drones in the U.S.

by Seth Freed Wessler, Jamilah King on February 13 2013, 10:33AM

No, the LAPD didn’t use a drone to track and kill Christopher Dorner. But the devices are still being used in some very unsettling ways to track U.S. citizens on American soil.

Topics: Criminal Justice, National Security

Dispatch from Chicago: Stop the Violence…But How?

by Jamilah King on February 7 2013, 8:42AM

As the city becomes the face of urban gun violence, those working directly with the youth being killed struggle for satisfying answers.

Topics: Chicago, Criminal Justice, Dispatches, Guns, Schools & Youth

How Immigration Reform Could Expand Incarceration of Immigrants

by Seth Freed Wessler on February 6 2013, 9:47AM

On it’s face, reform would mean fewer immigrants locked up. But House GOP and private prison operators are working to make sure that’s not the case.

Topics: Criminal Justice, Immigration Reform

What’s in Store for Oakland With ‘Supercop’ William Bratton on the Beat?

by Ali Winston on February 5 2013, 8:48AM

The city is struggling with violent crime and police scandal. But is Bratton’s reputation for cleaning up both things earned, or just saber-rattling and good PR.

Topics: Criminal Justice, Stop-and-Frisk

Where Do You Draw the Line Between Privacy and Public Safety? [Reader Forum]

by Nia King on January 28 2013, 9:03AM

Readers sound off on the policing of people of color everywhere, from the streets to between the sheets.

Topics: Criminal Justice, Health

The School-to-Prison Pipeline Gets Its First-Ever Airing in the Senate

by Julianne Hing on December 13 2012, 9:54AM

Wednesday’s Judiciary Committee hearing comes on the heels of a Justice Department suit against Meridian, Miss., where school officials are charged with routinely locking kids up for petty offenses.

Topics: Criminal Justice, School-to-Prison, Schools & Youth

Terrorism Suspect Pleads in Yet Another NYPD Case Riddled With Questions

by Seth Freed Wessler on December 5 2012, 10:44AM

The city’s ongoing use of informants to create terror plots it can then prosecute raised concerns of even the FBI in Ahmed Ferhani’s case.

Topics: Criminal Justice, NYPD Spying, National Security

The Shocking Details of a Mississippi School-to-Prison Pipeline

by Julianne Hing on November 26 2012, 9:34AM

Wearing the wrong color socks, talking back to a teacher and being late are all infractions that landed Cedric Green in jail. The Justice Department says there are many more students like him.

Topics: Criminal Justice, School-to-Prison, Schools & Youth

Family Becomes Focal Point in Fight to Lower Prison Phone Rates

by Jamilah King on November 20 2012, 10:13AM

The criminal cost of talking to a loved one behind bars has taken center stage at the Federal Communications Commission. And that’s exactly what organizers had in mind.

Topics: Criminal Justice, Media

In Virginia, 350K Would-Be Voters Wait for Democracy’s Slow Return

by Brentin Mock on October 24 2012, 9:28AM

Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell is restoring the voting rights of more formerly incarcerated residents than any previous administration. And it’s still a drop in the bucket.

Topics: 2012 Election, Voting Rights 2012, Criminal Justice, Politics

We Can’t Afford to Participate in a ‘Justice for Some’ Culture

by Akiba Solomon on September 24 2012, 10:00AM

Coverage of the case of Michelle Kosilek, the Massachusetts prisoner who will receive state-funded gender reassignment surgery, has sparked lots of vicious, vengeful, anti-trans comments. Here’s why that’s dangerous for everyone.

Topics: Akiba Solomon, Criminal Justice, Gender & Sexuality

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