Law

National

Dallas Police Chief David O. Brown Announces His Retirement

6:13pm September 01, 2016

by Richard Gonzales

In his statement, Brown suggests that the July 7 sniper attack that claimed the lives of five officers has taken its toll. He is ending his 33-year career with the police.

A memorial for John Berry, who was shot and killed by Los Angeles sheriff's deputies in 2015. "I've known my brother long enough he didn't mean to hurt anybody," said his brother Chris Berry. "He was terrified."

National

New Policy In LA Cracks Down On Problem Of Police Shooting At Moving Cars

5:54am September 01, 2016

by Annie Gilbertson

Los Angeles County sheriff deputies shot unarmed people in cars at least eight times between 2010 and 2014 because they said they feared being run over, an investigation by member station KPCC found.

Supreme Court Declines To Reinstate North Carolina Voter Restrictions

6:32pm August 31, 2016

by Nina Totenberg

After the high court struck down a key provision of the Voting Rights Act in 2013, North Carolina and other states enacted laws that critics said were aimed at making it harder for minorities to vote.

Divided Supreme Court Refuses To Reinstate North Carolina Voter ID Law

6:31pm August 31, 2016

by Nina Totenberg

In a 4 to 4 ruling, the Supreme Court Wednesday refused an emergency request from North Carolina Republicans to reinstate a controversial voting law.

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Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, shown here in January, wants to create a new Civilian Office on Police Accountability to investigate police shootings, allegations of excessive force and other police misconduct.

National

Chicago Mayor Creates Civilian Agency To Monitor Police

6:00pm August 31, 2016

by David Schaper

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel says the new Civilian Office on Police Accountability will be independent, but critics say it will still answer to city hall.

Obama Commutes 111 Prison Sentences; DOJ Working To Clear Backlog

10:35am August 31, 2016

by Carrie Johnson

The prisoners got word on Tuesday that their sentences are being shortened, as a result of the White House's efforts on clemency. Justice Department officials are working through a backlog of cases.

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Prisoners Granted Clemency Must Adjust To New Lives

6:27am August 31, 2016

Shauna Barry-Scott of Youngstown, Ohio, was released from prison last fall after serving 10 years of a 20-year drug conviction. She offers her perspective on making a new life after early release.

National

California Lawmakers Approve Mandatory Sentencing For Rape

7:10pm August 30, 2016

by Richard Gonzales

State sexual assault law is tightened in response to the six-month sentence imposed on former Stanford student Brock Turner. He was convicted of sexually assaulting an unconscious woman.

National

Former Inmate Gives Advice To Prisoners With Commuted Sentences

5:30pm August 30, 2016

Former inmate Norman Brown gives advice to inmates who had their sentences commuted Tuesday by President Obama.

President Obama toured the El Reno Federal Correctional Institution in Oklahoma last year, the first sitting U.S. president to visit a federal prison.

Obama Grants Clemency To 111 Prisoners; DOJ 'Confident' It Will Clear Backlog

4:31pm August 30, 2016

by Carrie Johnson

Thousands of petitions are still pending, but the Justice Department tells NPR that despite doubts from advocates it plans to consider each of them before President Obama leaves office.