How Trump Went From 'Tough On Crime' To 'Second Chance' For Felons
President Trump's support for legislation that would reduce sentences for drug offenses stands in stark contrast to some of his calls to crack down on criminals.
criminal justice
From Convict To Criminal Justice Reporter: 'I Was So Lucky To Come Out Of This'
Keri Blakinger spent nearly two years locked up on narcotics charges before becoming a journalist. "I've been so privileged in so many ways to end up with hope and second chances," she says.
Trump Backs Package Of Changes To Criminal Justice System As Lame-Duck Session Begins
The president's support is a big win for activists who have been pushing for criminal justice measures that roll back the stiff penalties imposed as a part of America's decades-long "war on drugs."
'Jim Crow's Last Stand' In Louisiana May Fall To Ballot Measure
Louisiana is one of only two states in the country that allow non-unanimous juries to convict defendants. A ballot measure will be voted on Tuesday that would amend the state's constitution.
A Bunch Of Cocaine: Boxes Of Donated Bananas Contained $17.8 Million Worth Of Drugs
"Sometimes, life gives you lemons. Sometimes, it gives you bananas," says the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. "And sometimes, it gives you something you'd never expect!"
California Becomes First State To End Cash Bail After 40-Year Fight
"Today, California reforms its bail system so that rich and poor alike are treated fairly," Gov. Jerry Brown said. He first advocated for an overhaul in his 1979 State of the State Address.
With More Opioid Use, People Are More Likely To Get Caught Up In The Justice System
A new study shows Americans with opioid addiction are more likely to have been arrested or convicted of a crime, suggesting a need to involve police, courts and jails in treating addiction.
Bystanders To Fatal Overdoses Increasingly Becoming Criminal Defendants
Prosecutors in 20 states are using old laws to file homicide charges to hold family and friends accountable in opioid-related deaths. The penalty is steep and experts debate its effectiveness.
'She Says': One Sexual Assault Survivor's Search For Justice
A North Carolina woman was sexually assaulted almost three years ago. After navigating through the courts, dealing with the hospital and the police department, she has yet to find justice.
For Trump's Evangelical Advisers, Prison Reform Becomes a Front-Burner Issue
"The incarceration rate in this country is just insane," said Johnnie Moore, an evangelical leader and informal adviser to President Trump.