Heart of the Menendez Case: Who Deserves a Second Chance?

Media attention has brought the Menendez brothers to the cusp of early release from prison. Criminal justice reform proponents hope other prisoners benefit.

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Trump Depicted Youth Crime in D.C. as Rampant. Here’s What the Data Shows.

Concerns came to a head during the pandemic, when carjackings surged and many of those arrested were children. Carjackings and other crimes have declined considerably.

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For D.C., Threats of a Federal Takeover Were Familiar. Now They Are a Reality.

Federal law gives presidents the power to take over Washington’s police force after declaring an emergency, but Donald Trump is the first president to do so.

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What to Know About How Bail Works in the U.S.

President Trump called revisions in bail law a “disaster.” Conservatives argue that such policies have contributed to increased lawlessness, but the data does not support their argument.

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They Served Their Time for Sex Crimes. The State Won’t Let Them Go.

New Jersey’s secure treatment center for detaining sex offenders is supposed to keep the public safe. Critics say it violates civil liberties.

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States Look to Europe to Improve U.S. Prison Conditions

States of all political stripes, including Oklahoma, North Dakota and Massachusetts, have sent officials to tour prisons in Germany in search of ways to improve conditions for American inmates.

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After Surge During Pandemic, Homicides Fall Significantly

An analysis released Thursday by the Council on Criminal Justice shows that the majority of crimes the council tracks are continuing to decrease in 42 U.S. cities.

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Nearly Half of America’s Murderers Get Away With It

Most crimes go unsolved, emboldening criminals and potentially leading to more violence.

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In ‘Orgasmic Meditation’ Case, Did a Zealous Media Strategy Backfire?

After two leaders of OneTaste were convicted, a judge referred to the aggressive publicity campaign on their behalf as she jailed them until their sentencing.

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A DNA Technique is Finding Women Who Left Their Babies for Dead

Genetic genealogy is identifying the mothers of deceased newborns found abandoned, shedding light on crimes that went unsolved for years. Women now may face lengthy prison sentences for decades-old chapters of their pasts.

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