criminal-justice-issues

Pa. Court: Allegheny Co. must release autopsy report of man who died in jail

BY: - July 17, 2023

By Jordana Rosenfeld Allegheny County administrators must release the autopsy report of a man who died in the custody of the Allegheny County Jail in late 2020, according to a new court ruling. In a 6-1 vote, Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Court determined that the county had unlawfully denied Pittsburgh-based reporter Brittany Hailer access to an autopsy […]

Pa. House approves bill extending PFAs to pets, animal companions | Tuesday Morning Coffee

BY: - July 11, 2023

Pets play 'an essential role in offering comfort' to people experiencing abuse, the bill's sponsors said

State prisons require visitors to call to schedule a visit, a pandemic-era hurdle some say has kept them from seeing incarcerated loved ones. (Getty Images)

A leftover pandemic restriction in N.J.’s prisons deprives some of ‘lifeline’ family visits

BY: - June 8, 2023

More than three years after the state closed New Jersey prisons to visitors as a pandemic precaution, they’ve opened them up again — but a lingering requirement to schedule visits has kept visiting rooms at many facilities largely empty.

COMMENTARY

‘It’ll be fine, I’ll be with a white girl’: Words of wisdom and a warning | Monday Morning Coffee

BY: - May 22, 2023

Jordan Neely died for no reason. For too many, Black lives still don’t matter enough. Words from a teen remind us of why.

Pa. Senate approves bill creating SEPTA crimes division in Philly DA’s office

BY: - May 9, 2023

The bill sponsored by Sen. Wayne Langerholc, R-Cambria, is now before the House Judiciary Committee.

COMMENTARY

The Pgh synagogue shooting case should’ve been heard in Pa. court | Bruce Ledewitz

BY: - May 3, 2023

Federal jurisdiction over this case introduces enormous complications, both practical and legal.

Philadelphia families remember loved ones during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

BY: - April 30, 2023

'He was destined for something big. He made us better people just knowing him,' the mother of one victim recalled.

COMMENTARY

Pa.’s landlord-tenant law literally can get you killed | Michael Coard

BY: - April 7, 2023

Officials have a lot of explaining to do in the shooting of a Philadelphia woman.

COMMENTARY

Here’s why some countries prosecute former presidents despite the risk | Opinion

BY: - April 4, 2023

Such legal proceedings can be dangerous and sometimes destabilizing. But they show no one is above the law.

(Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

In New Jersey, bill would track deadly car crashes caused by cannabis impairment

BY: - April 3, 2023

Experts say exploring a link between marijuana use and car crashes may not be easy.

Firing squads could return as states debate the death penalty | Analysis

BY: - March 10, 2023

Twenty-seven states allow capital punishment, but public support for it has declined.

Philadelphia City Hall

Philly’s Office of Criminal Justice receives nearly $1M MacArthur grant to enhance racial equity, safety

BY: - February 13, 2023

The money is expected to solidify the city's 'ability to sustain long-term public safety initiatives,' a spokesperson said.