TOPA — the Tenants Opportunity to Purchase Act — has been around in the District since 1980. It has probably generated more litigation than any other law enacted by the D.C. Council. It is loved by tenants, who call it “capitalism,” and hated by landlords, who call it “blackmail.” Continue reading “TOPA – Pending would slightly diminish tenant rights”
Under current law, the person on the hook for alimony in a divorce typically the higher-earning spouse can deduct payments from their income, and it is the lower-earning ex who is taxed on that sum. Continue reading “Couples rush to divorce by year-end”
The 2018 midterm elections have come to an end, and, while the outcomes of some races remain unknown, it is safe to say that the outcome for young people across the country was overwhelmingly positive. While most of the country was glued to the results in competitive U.S. House and Senate races, it was the state and local elections that that will make a huge difference in the lives of young people. Continue reading “How the nation voted on criminal justice issues that impact our youth”
The name of the Pennington County sheriff’s deputy who shot and killed a fleeing suspect Nov. 30 near New Underwood will not be released to the public, the Sheriff’s Office said Thursday, Dec. 6.
Continue reading “Marsy’s Law blocks name of deputy who shot suspect in South Dakota”
You may wonder why Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, a Republican, is putting such a major effort into passing bipartisan criminal justice reform. Grassley, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has been working with Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois for over four years. They have good reasons that are worth considering, even for those of us without much cause to think about life in the slammer. Continue reading “Why you should care if Congress finally passes criminal justice reform”
Jason Ravnsborg, South Dakota’s attorney general-elect, announced Wednesday morning that he’s selected the current Brule County State’s Attorney to serve as director of the state’s Division of Criminal Investigation.
Continue reading “Natvig to lead South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation”
Dec. 31, 2018 is the date by which couples need to get the terms of their divorce settled before the tax rules on alimony change, a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that was passed last year. Continue reading “New divorce tax rules could leave you with an alimony disadvantage”
A legislative overhaul to the criminal justice system has won widespread support from both major political parties on Capitol Hill and within the White House, but has yet to earn support from one of the key constituencies it would impact: federal law enforcement. Continue reading “Law Enforcement Not Happy With Criminal Justice Reform”
South Dakota gun rights supporters are saying newly-elected South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem gives them hope that additional gun rights laws will be passed. A concealed carry with no permit bill has been vetoed multiple times by the previous governor, but some are pointing to Noem’s record as a sign that might not be the case if a similar bill was presented to her. Continue reading “Concealed carry law expected to pass in South Dakota”
From a man who was sentenced to life after stealing $150 worth of videotapes to an offender sentenced for shoplifting a jacket worth $159, new prison reform tries to overhaul the controversial “three strikes” law that led to people spending their life in prison for petty crimes. Continue reading “Reform bill to overhaul controversial ‘three strikes’ rule”