criminal-justice

Chester County manhunt for convicted killer enters sixth day

BY: - September 5, 2023

Pennsylvania State Police said on Tuesday that they have expanded the search for a convicted murderer who escaped from the Chester County Prison after seeing evidence that he had obtained clothing and supplies and was headed south.  The search for Danelo Cavalcante entered its sixth day on Tuesday after state police and federal authorities searched […]

Updated: The Trump indictments: a seven-year timeline of key developments

BY: - August 16, 2023

Former President Donald Trump is a defendant in four criminal proceedings. Two cases are federal, brought after investigations by Special Counsel Jack Smith. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg brought the first indictment against Trump, charging him in New York state court. The most recent prosecution, in Georgia state court, is being led by Fulton County […]

Justice reform groups say bill could make probation ‘hamster wheel’ worse

BY: - August 13, 2023

[*This article was updated at 12:09 p.m., Monday, Aug. 14, 2023 to include a statement from the REFORM Alliance.] Civil rights and anti-prison groups say a probation reform bill awaiting a vote in the state House would only complicate Pennsylvania’s probation system and could lead to more people being sentenced to jail terms. The legislation, […]

Report: Racial inequities ‘pervade’ Philly’s juvenile justice system | Tuesday Morning Coffee

BY: - May 23, 2023

More kids have been diverted, but costs have 'soared' for those who remain, according to a report released Monday.

Shapiro refuses to sign execution warrants, calls on lawmakers to abolish capital punishment

BY: - February 16, 2023

Gov. Josh Shapiro also called on the Pennsylvania General Assembly to abolish capital punishment altogether.

Monroe County district judge lied to secure appointment, district attorney’s office alleges

BY: - December 2, 2022

The investigation by the Monroe County district attorney’s office showed that Caffese changed his voter registration from a home he owns in Stroudsburg to the Tobyhanna address on June 13, the day Wolf nominated him. 

State Sen. Tim Kearney, D-Delaware, attends the Senate Education Committee Hearing held at the Pennsylvania Capitol on May 24, 2022 in Harrisburg, Pa. (Photo by Amanda Berg, for the Capital-Star).

Pa. lawmakers propose pilot program to plug ‘school-to-prison’ pipeline

BY: - October 13, 2022

Youth courts are diversion programs where young people sentence their peers for minor crimes, offenses, or violations.

Philadelphia DA Krasner rejects subpoena by House panel investigating crime surge

BY: - August 23, 2022

'Bogus attacks against this committee, a committee empowered by a bipartisan majority of the House and acting under clear constitutional authority, are particularly troubling,' Rep. John Lawrence said.

What legislation did Gov. Tom Wolf approve or veto during budget season?

BY: - July 13, 2022

In a flurry of budget season legislation, Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed Republican-backed bills dealing with poll watchers, transgender athletes, and energy policy and approved laws on election funding, affordable housing and a loophole that can let people who commit serious crimes get away with a ticket.

A woman, Jackie Springer of Shippensburg, looks at a picture of her son, Austin Springer, as she talks about his death from overdosing on fentanyl.

Mastriano pitches 25-year mandatory sentences for fentanyl dealers in fatal overdose cases

BY: - June 27, 2022

With parents whose children died of fentanyl overdoses, Republican gubernatorial nominee Doug Mastriano proposed 25-year mandatory minimum sentences for dealers who provide deadly overdoses of the drug

Nigel Bowe (L), executive director of Diversion Services, and George Clark, program manager for The Choice is Yours

Philly diversion program offers option to clear criminal records

BY: - March 31, 2022

For 10 years, The Choice is Yours program has offered first-time drug offenders, ages 18-30, an alternative to going before a judge.

Pa. human services, corrections departments launch doula program for incarcerated mothers

BY: - February 14, 2022

SCI-Muncy and SCI-Cambridge Springs, both all-female facilities, can hold an average of seven to eight pregnant people at any given time, a Department of Corrections spokesperson said.