New limit on defendants' rights?: Mark Sherman, of the Associated Press, writes this story of the Obama administration's request to the Supreme Court. Obama's legal team has asked the Supreme Court to overrule the law that stops police from initiating questions unless a defendant's lawyer is present after criminal proceedings have begun and the right to counsel has attached.The case in question is Michigan v. Jackson No. 84-1531. See previous post here. Overturning the current law would allow police officers to question suspects and obtain confession statements when they agree to talk without their attorney. Defense counsel argue that the "protection offered in Stevens' 1986 opinion is especially important for vulnerable defendants, including the mentally ill and developmentally disabled...." Eleven states are also echoing the administration's call to overrule.
An end to a bad bill: The Grand Junction, Colorado Daily Sentinel this editorial. This week a legislative plan that would have significantly reduced sentences in some critical areas, prohibiting prosecutors from filing habitual criminal charges and lengthening sentences, was pulled from consideration. Colorado Attorney General John Suthers and Mesa County District Attorney Pete Hautzinger were among those who strongly opposed the bill and expressed their contentment when the bill was withdrawn.
Colorado House says 'goodbye' to death penalty: Bill Synder, of the Thornton Republican Examiner, writes on the recent House's vote in his opinion.The House "voted down the death penalty 33-32 decision on house bill 1274. In the last 40 years in Colorado has had only one execution. Lawmakers said that by eliminating the death penalty they can now fund the "cold case" unit." However, as we have noted before here and here, the savings may be illusory.
More money for local police: Jim Abrams, of the Associated Press, writes that "the House approved money Thursday to help local police departments hire and retain 50,000 officers over the next five years, expanding a Clinton-era community policing program that struggled to survive under the Bush administration." The economic stimulus package will be the source of the $1 billion for the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant program for law enforcement. Major police organizations like the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the National Association of Police Organizations are showing their support for the additional funding.
Philly DA Lynne Abraham is not running for reelection. Patrick Walters of AP has this story on the candidates vying for the job.
An end to a bad bill: The Grand Junction, Colorado Daily Sentinel this editorial. This week a legislative plan that would have significantly reduced sentences in some critical areas, prohibiting prosecutors from filing habitual criminal charges and lengthening sentences, was pulled from consideration. Colorado Attorney General John Suthers and Mesa County District Attorney Pete Hautzinger were among those who strongly opposed the bill and expressed their contentment when the bill was withdrawn.
Colorado House says 'goodbye' to death penalty: Bill Synder, of the Thornton Republican Examiner, writes on the recent House's vote in his opinion.The House "voted down the death penalty 33-32 decision on house bill 1274. In the last 40 years in Colorado has had only one execution. Lawmakers said that by eliminating the death penalty they can now fund the "cold case" unit." However, as we have noted before here and here, the savings may be illusory.
More money for local police: Jim Abrams, of the Associated Press, writes that "the House approved money Thursday to help local police departments hire and retain 50,000 officers over the next five years, expanding a Clinton-era community policing program that struggled to survive under the Bush administration." The economic stimulus package will be the source of the $1 billion for the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant program for law enforcement. Major police organizations like the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the National Association of Police Organizations are showing their support for the additional funding.
Philly DA Lynne Abraham is not running for reelection. Patrick Walters of AP has this story on the candidates vying for the job.
Leave a comment