Ohio’s Journey to End Predatory Collection Practices: The Long Road to Reform . . . and the Miles Still to Travel

I am going to brag on my state a little . . . but before I do let me say that Ohio has a long way to go before it prevents all predatory collection practices in the collection of costs, […]

Amicus Update: Ninth Circuit Affirms Appellant’s Position

NAPD's Amicus Committee is pleased to announce that the appellant in United States v. Elizabeth Rodriguez-Vega was successful in her appeal in the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.  That case was argued on July 7th, and the opinion, to be published, was announced […]

Where’s the Evidence for Sex Offender Registries

Let’s see your evidence.  Evidence-based practices are all the rage now.  Legislators are interested in data.  Foundations want to see the evidence before funding a new project.  Reform is a no-go unless there is solid evidence to support it. It’s […]

5,000+ SF Kids to Receive Backpacks, Resources at 2 August Events

At a time when families are struggling to remain in the city amid record income inequality, the San Francisco Public Defender’s MAGIC programs will distribute backpacks stuffed with school supplies to a combined 5,000 kindergartners through 12th graders during two August […]

Sometimes the Road is Long

Last week I read an article in The Marshall Project digest that reported that in the last 10 years in Texas, over 4,200 individuals have died “in custody” of police, corrections or other law enforcement. That’s 420 people each year, […]

The Inadvertent Empowerment of the Accused

Sir Alexander Fleming was awarded a Nobel Prize for his discovery of penicillin – by accident. While he may not be worthy of such notoriety, the Honorable Judge Jeff Weill, Sr. of the Hinds County Circuit Court in Jackson, Mississippi, […]

Participatory Defense and Struggle for Criminal Justice Reform in Albany Law Review

Special thanks to Andrew Davies and the people at Albany Law Review for publishing our co-authored piece for their law journal entitled, “Make Them Hear You: Participatory Defense and the Struggle for Criminal Justice Reform.” It was humbling and inspiring to share […]

North Carolina House Bill 879: An Unlikely Smooth Ride to Reform

This essay was first published by the Juvenile Justice Blog. In June 2015, North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory signed House Bill 879into law.  While there was no ceremony and little press, the new “Juvenile Justice Reform Bill” contained the most significant changes that […]

Back to Work: Thoughts from the 4th ABA Parent Attorney Conference

Here are some quotes that stick with me from Prof. Marty Guggenheim’s plenary address to the 4th ABA Parent Attorney Conference: “We are the world’s leader in destroying families” “Removing a child from his family is an act of extreme violence” […]

DOJ Releases Findings on Family Court in St. Louis County

The Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice has released its findings on the family court in St Louis County, Missouri.  The findings are simple; the system is flawed.   A flawed justice system is nothing new and similar findings could probably […]