The chief judge of New York’s highest court has sparked controversy by publicly urging voters to reject judges who impose strict sentences. In a speech delivered at CUNY Law School, he criticized the current system for sending serious offenders to long prison terms and called for a “Second Look Act”
People often think the death penalty is only for the most terrible offenders. In reality, those who face execution are usually poor, have learning disabilities, and rarely get strong legal help. They also face higher chances of being sentenced to death when their victim is white. A case in Alabama
Reform Judaism is the biggest Jewish movement in North America, known for its focus on social justice and equality. One of its largest congregations, Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan, was hit by a violent attack last week. The temple, founded in 1941 and now home to about 12, 000 members,
The local newspaper opened a fresh style of discussion last week, letting people ask questions face‑to‑face with county officials. The first session featured the district attorney, who is also chasing a governor’s seat. He talked about crime statistics and urged tougher penalties for young offenders
The United States and Albania have found themselves oddly linked by the same man: Jack Smith. In 2020, Smith, then chief prosecutor at a special court in The Hague, announced charges against Hashim Thaci, a former Kosovar leader and close ally of U. S. President Donald Trump during his first term. T
The governor wants a new, huge jail that would cost $825 million and add 3, 000 beds to a rural area. Some Republican senators worry about the expense and how the new facility would affect local roads and water supplies. In response, the governor has targeted two senators for primary challenges. Th
A five‑judge panel at Brazil’s highest court has, after a tense week of arguments, found five men guilty of killing former councilwoman Marielle Franco and her driver in 2018. The case, long a flashpoint for political debate, shows how powerful forces can intersect with organized crime. The defenda
A U. S. Attorney in Washington decided not to press charges against six members of Congress after a federal grand jury said there was no probable cause. The lawyers had tried to indict lawmakers who posted a video urging military and intelligence people not to follow illegal orders. The grand jury r
Ramsey County is changing how it handles youth crime. Instead of sending most teens straight to court, the county’s attorney and public defender offices joined forces with community groups and police in 2021. They launched the (Re)Imagining Justice for Youth program, which looks at each case a
Ameen Alai, a father and body‑building coach, was sentenced to four years in federal prison on September 16, 2025. The charge was a single count of felony drug distribution, even though he never sold or handed out the drug in question. That drug was ibogaine, a plant‑derived alkaloid that some peopl
