On January 20, 2025, as Donald Trump retook the presidency, advocates across the criminal justice reform field were all asking the same question: in his second term, would Donald Trump be a friend or foe to reform?

Despite President Trump’s “tough-on-crime” and “tough-on-the-border” campaign and the numerous actions he took to undermine criminal justice progress during his first term, it was a reasonable question. Trump’s first term saw the passage of several important federal criminal justice reforms—most notably the First Step Act, as well as the reinstatement of Pell Grants for incarcerated students, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, support for second-chance hiring, and an executive order on police reform. Throughout his first term, criminal justice reform also enjoyed strong bipartisan support at the state and local levels, with landmark reforms to bail, sentencing, conviction records, fines and fees, and more across the country.

Continue reading “First 100 Days of Trump: Friend or Foe to Criminal Justice Reform?” →

Who knew a leisurely stroll with your adorable canine companion could land you in jail? As a proud dog dad, I can personally attest to the shock of learning that walking a dog using a standard six-foot leash on Supreme Court grounds—where the maximum permitted length is a mere four feet—is a federal crime. Despite the reality that there are no signs putting potential violators on notice, use a standard-length dog leash and you could be staring down sixty days in jail.

If committing crimes with cuddly puppies isn’t your thing, bringing a stroller into the restroom at the National Zoological Park can also land you up to sixty days in jail. What’s a single parent supposed to do? Leave their baby unattended and vulnerable while they take care of essential business?

Continue reading “From Dog Leashes to Potty Breaks: Are We All Unwitting Criminals?” →

In 2001, Shawn Hatcher was arrested and later sentenced to life in prison for murder. Prosecutors used a Tennessee law to charge him with a crime he says his brother committed. He was 17 years old.

The concept of criminal responsibility for conduct of another isn’t particularly new or unheard of. It’s been a part of American common law – the sets of laws inherited from past judicial decisions – since at least the 19th century. And it’s been an official part of Tennessee’s state code for decades.

Continue reading “Tennessee can charge people for crimes they didn’t commit, advocates want reform” →

U.S. Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) and Angus King (I-Maine) have introduced legislation that would establish federal criminal penalties for assaulting hospital employees.

The Save Healthcare Workers Act would seek to deter violence against healthcare workers by authorizing federal tools to prosecute people who incite such violence. Bill sponsors claim the COVID-19 pandemic worsened the situation for healthcare employees, citing data showing 77% of emergency department staff were exposed to violence.

Continue reading “Bill would make violence against healthcare workers a federal crime” →

North Dakota officials on Tuesday described new legislation as improving “off-ramps” from the criminal justice system, with one of the off-ramps coming before offenders get into the court system.

“We know that people who get into the criminal justice system tend to stay there,” said Tom Erhardt, director for parole and probation within the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. He said by improving the off-ramps, it will reduce the number of crime victims, reduce the number of repeat offenders and save the state money.  Continue reading “North Dakota laws address avoiding criminal charges, improving life after jail” →

State and federal officeholders celebrated Wednesday in Washington, D.C., after prosecutors dropped criminal charges against a South Dakota ranch couple accused of using public land without permission or payment.

Meanwhile, basic questions went unanswered.

Will the couple continue to use the land? Will they have to start paying a fee? Or is it their land?

Continue reading “Fate of public land dispute remains unclear as politicians cheer dismissal of ranchers’ charges” →

The South Dakota Highway Patrol has announced that sobriety checkpoints will be conducted in 14 different counties throughout the state during May.

These checkpoints are scheduled to take place in the counties of Brown, Charles Mix, Codington, Hughes, Jerauld, Jones, Lawrence, Meade, Minnehaha, Moody, Pennington, Roberts, Spink, and Yankton.

Continue reading “SD Highway Patrol Announces Sobriety Checkpoints in 14 Counties for May, Including Codington” →

Iowa’s top prosecutor is proposing an amendment to the state constitution to solve what one lawmaker called an “interesting conundrum,” weighing a person’s constitutional right to confront their accuser in the courtroom against the desire to protect traumatized children and vulnerable people.

But some worry the proposal could hinder a defendant’s rights in court.

Continue reading “Iowa considers changing constitution on how traumatized witnesses testify in court” →

The Minnesota criminal justice system was created in 1857. There were 42 attorneys in the State. Lawyers just practiced “law” — every kind of law. Today, the Minnesota Bar recognizes 11 specialties. A lawyer can be good at two, three, maybe four different kinds of law; however, the one thing I can guarantee you is: If a lawyer says they practice all kinds of law, they engage in malpractice every day.

78% of Minnesota cases are criminal cases. We have 283 trial judges in the state. 39% had experience only as a prosecutor before they became a judge. Imagine being an innocent defendant facing such a judge. 34% never tried a criminal case before they became judges.

Continue reading “Minnesota needs criminal bar and bench reform” →

After years of failed starts, the Iowa Legislature has finally sent legislation banning the handheld use of cellphones while driving to Gov. Kim Reynolds.

The Iowa House passed Senate File 22 on a 84-11 vote Wednesday. The legislation is an expansion of Iowa’s current laws banning texting while driving to cover any handheld use of a cellphone. Drivers could still use a device in hands-free or voice-activated modes under the legislation.

Continue reading “Bill banning handheld cellphone use while driving heads to governor’s desk” →