Prosecutors must disclose any evidence that goes against guilt or lessens punishment. The Constitution says so. But some state laws allow them to withhold the evidence until just before trial, so defendant have to make plea decisions without it. This skews the whole system, and is long overdue for change.
Read MoreFormer Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens offers a simple solution for the seemingly intractable problem of legislating gun safety: repeal the second amendment. Is that realistic?
Read MoreCriminal Injustice is two years old today! A message of thanks to everyone who's made made the show a success -- especially our listeners.
Read MoreThe close working relationship between a Texas attorney and Hidalgo County Judge Rudy Delgado illustrates the old adage: a good lawyer knows the law, but a great lawyer knows the judge.
Read MoreOur February 10 bonus episode on the mechanics of the seemingly inevitable Mueller-Trump interview prompted a question from Eric in New York: is it true that some witnesses get immunity from prosecution when they testify in grand jury proceedings?
Read MoreFor people attempting to re-enter society from jail, a job is key to staying straight. And a driver’s license is a must for lots of jobs. So why does the law in so many states suspend drivers licenses for crimes having nothing to do with driving?
Read MoreIf you followed the sentencing phase of U.S. gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar's sexual abuse trial, you saw dozens of victims testify about how his crimes affected them. Is it unusual for so many people to speak up in a single case?
Read MoreKen Starr, a guy who knows a thing or two about jurisdictional overreach, says Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller is exceeding his authority in investigating the Trump campaign's dealings with Russia. On this bonus episode: unpacking the exquisite, multi-tiered hypocrisy of Starr's analysis.
Read MoreDavid discusses the unconstitutional jailing of defendants who can't afford to pay fines and court costs on public radio station 90.5 WESA.
Read MoreA Republican gubernatorial candidate in Pennsylvania says school shooters should face automatic, mandatory execution. But the U.S. Supreme Court says only a judge can impose a death sentence.
Read MoreIn U.S. courts using bail for pretrial release, those with enough money to get out before trial, but those without cash stay in. But support for reform has been building, and New Jersey did away with cash bail almost entirely in 2017. What happens instead of bail, and how is it working so far?
Read MoreAlmost anywhere you find police corruption and abuse, you'll find otherwise decent cops who knew about their colleagues' misconduct and did nothing. How can police earn communities' trust when they continue to protect the worst actors within their own ranks?
Read MoreBill Cosby faces a second sexual assault trial after a hung jury scuttled the first one. But doesn't the Constitution protect people from being tried twice for the same crime?
Read MoreRepublican state lawmakers in Pennsylvania are threatening to impeach state Supreme Court justices over redrawn congressional districts. What could possibly go wrong?
Read MoreA tale of ethical shenanigans by two married lawyers: when she's disbarred after a fraud conviction, he looks the other way while she continues practicing without a license.
Read MoreIn the U.S., judges set bail – an amount of money defendants must deposit with the court -- to make sure people appear in court. Defendants must pay the bail amount to get released to wait for trial. Those with enough money to get out before trial, but those without cash stay in jail – regardless of the risk they pose. Could a data-based system do a better job of assessing these risks, and keep the poor out of jail before trial?
Read MoreRecreational use of marijuana is still illegal in Pennsylvania. But increasingly, jurisdiction-level policy decisions are pushing cities toward decriminalization. This week, Philadelphia's newly-elected reformist D.A. announced his office is dropping all simple-possession marijuana cases. What's his reasoning, and how will the move affect policing?
Read MoreMore U.S. cities are considering opening "safe injection sites" where addicts can inject intravenous drugs under medical supervision. The goal is harm reduction, and there's strong evidence the practice saves lives. But is it legal?
Read MoreFired for allegedly stealing from her firm, a Pennsylvania lawyer is now accused of breaking into the office to rob her former co-workers.
Read MorePresident Trump's lawyers are anxious about the prospect of an interview with Special Counsel Robert Mueller. Can they avoid it? Should they try?
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