The Consequences of Sentencing Reform:  Opponents of progressive sentencing, which increases the punishment for repeat offenders, prefer the term "sentencing reform" over the more accurate "sentencing reduction," when discussing schemes to reduce the consequences for crimes.  "Reform" just sounds better.  But, according to a report by the Los Angeles County Sheriff and a post by the head of the LA Association of Deputy District Attorneys (ADDA), sentencing reforms adopted in California over the past seven years are hurting thousands of innocent people.  The Sheriff's report focuses on Proposition 47, which converted most property and drug crimes from felonies to misdemeanors with no additional consequences for repeat offenders.  Since its adoption in 2014, there have been 78,537 arrests for crimes converted to misdemeanors.  Over 32,000 of those arrested have be rearrested at least twice, with 25,000 arrested for major crimes, such as murder, rape, robbery, assault, and grand theft auto.  Between 2014 and 2017, homicide in the county increased by 24.5%, 37.7%, and 22.5% respectively.  Rape increased by 47.4%, 76.6%, and 60.8%.  Larceny, robbery, and auto theft also increased dramatically.  Michele Hanisee of the ADDA focuses on Proposition 57, Governor Brown's 2016 "reform," which gives repeat felons, even those with violent priors, eligibility of early release from prison.  Since it was enacted, District Attorneys across the state have reported on criminals with rape, robbery, and other violent priors, who have been released years early because Proposition 57 allows state parole officials to ignore a felon's prior crimes and declare him a "low risk" for violence.  Countering claims by proponents that the measure has not allowed the release of violent criminals, Hanisee cites a couple of recent examples of criminals who have been released that no rational person would consider non-violent.

Will Trump Rebuild the 9th Circuit?  With the death of "liberal lion" Stephen Reinhardt and resignation of Alex Kozinski, the notorious 9th Circuit Court of Appeals now has seven vacancies, which if filled with conservatives, could provide some balance to the most liberal and most powerful of the federal circuits.  Barnini Chakraborty of Fox News reports that while President Trump has nominated two judges to the court since his election, Democrats are digging in to block the confirmation of any Republican nominee.  During the Obama Administration, Democrats did away with the practice of allowing a senator to "blue slip" (void) a nominee to a federal court in his home state.  Today, Democrats are insisting that they be allowed to use the blue slip to block any Trump pick to the court.  CJLF Legal Director Kent Scheidegger noted that the 9th has been "out in left field" since President Carter packed it with liberals in the 1970s.