criminal-justice

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.

COMMENTARY

How should the law adjust to the Rittenhouse verdict? | Bruce Ledewitz

BY: - December 21, 2021

First, government officials can take a firmer and clearer hand in dealing with violent protests. Arson and looting are not part of any legitimate political expression. State and local governments can only keep out private gunmen if officials are able to protect lives and property. No widespread arson, no Kyle Rittenhouse.

Philly Summit addresses link between gun violence and environment

BY: - October 13, 2021

The summit comes as research shows how major improvements in community habitat, living conditions and natural environment reduces violence substantially.

COMMENTARY

The 3 factors behind the perfect storm of 2020’s homicide spike | Opinion

BY: - October 3, 2021

More guns, pandemic stress and a police legitimacy crisis created perfect conditions for the 30% leap in homicides.

Pa.’s long-serving prisons chief, John E. Wetzel, is leaving, Wolf admin says

BY: - September 13, 2021

Wetzel, whose work to reform the state's sprawling and expensive prison system, won him plaudits, told the Capital-Star that he plans to open a criminal justice nonprofit in February.