Law

NPR's series looks at the human toll of mandatory minimum prison sentences. The White House and the Justice Department have taken the unprecedented step of asking for candidates who might win early release from prison through presidential pardons or commu

From Judges To Inmates, Finding The Human Casualties Of Mandatory Sentencing

2:34pm December 19, 2014

by Carrie Johnson

Amid the backdrop of debate inside Washington and across the country, an NPR series will focus on the human toll of the tough mandatory minimum prison terms for drug crimes.

National

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev Makes Court Appearance In Pretrial Hearing

6:32pm December 18, 2014

by Tovia Smith

Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev appeared in court on Thursday, marking his first time before the public in 17 months. The pretrial hearing comes ahead of a Jan. 5 trial.

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National

Justice Department Sues Over Conditions At Rikers Island Jail

6:32pm December 18, 2014

by Joel Rose

The Department of Justice is following through on its threat to sue the New York City over conditions at the notorious Rikers Island jail. The lawsuit announced today comes months after a scathing DOJ report that found a "culture of violence" against adolescent inmates at Rikers.

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S.C. Judge Rules 1944 Execution Of 14-Year-Old Boy Was Wrong

12:31pm December 18, 2014

by Hansi Lo Wang

An African-American boy, George Stinney Jr., who was executed in the killing of two young white girls has been exonerated, 70 years after he became the youngest person executed in the U.S.

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The Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., voted against Arizona's appeal, which would have allowed a state ban on driver's licenses for young undocumented immigrants.

National

Supreme Court Refuses To Block Arizona Driver's Licenses For 'Dreamers'

10:33am December 18, 2014

by Lauren Hodges

Arizona's appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court failed to prevent the state from having to issue driving permits to undocumented immigrants brought into the country as children.

National

Obama Issues 12 Pardons, Commutes 8 Sentences

4:34pm December 17, 2014

by Bill Chappell

President Obama commuted the prison sentences of eight people who were convicted of drug-related crimes Wednesday, in a move that also saw 12 presidential pardons issued.

President Obama announces the creation of a policing task force Dec. 1 as Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey (left) and George Mason University criminology professor Laurie Robinson look on.

National

President's Task Force To Re-Examine How Police Interact With Public

3:09pm December 17, 2014

by NPR Staff

Tensions between police and communities of color are grabbing the nation's attention — all the way up to the White House. The Obama administration has announced a new task force to tackle the problem.

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Judge John Gleeson says, about mandatory minimum sentences for drug crimes, "people in Congress meant well. ... But it just turns out that policy is wrong."

Judge Regrets Harsh Human Toll Of Mandatory Minimum Sentences

3:08pm December 17, 2014

by Carrie Johnson

Thousands of people are imprisoned for decades, if not life, because of tough drug sentences. Now judges, lawyers and advocates ask whether it's time to dial back those penalties.

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National

Bill Cosby Won't Be Charged Over 1974 Molestation Claim

1:22pm December 17, 2014

by Bill Chappell

Citing the statute of limitations, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office says it won't pursue child sexual abuse charges against the comedian, a subject of numerous allegations.

Economists: Congress Gets A Hat Tip (Barely) For Its Efforts

10:59pm December 16, 2014

by Marilyn Geewax

Congress passed no laws addressing the minimum wage, tax reform, trade or immigration this year. But judged by the low recent standards, lawmakers got light applause from economists.