Criminal Law Issues

I'm a criminal and so are you

May 25, 2010
Michelle Alexander sees herself as a criminal and suggests that most of us are - though we may not have been caught breaking the law. Yet, we're still criminals, no better than many of those who've been branded felons for life. (CNN)
By Michelle Alexander, Special to CNN

Prisons, Redistricting and the Census

February 16, 2010
The U.S. Census counts prisoners in the districts that the prison is located. "This practice typically increases the political power of rural areas where prisons are built and diminishes the influence of the urban areas to which inmates eventually return." (New York Times Editorial)
February 11, 2010

Imaginary fiends - Crime in America keeps going down. Why does the public refuse to believe it?

February 16, 2010
The crime rate has dropped, yet most Americans believe it has risen. Why is there a difference between public perception and the facts? (Boston Globe)
By Joe Keohane | February 14, 2010

The Brennan Center for Justice

June 25, 2009

The Brennan Center for Justice is a non-partisan law and public policy institute that works on issues of democracy and j

Human Rights and Criminal Justice Reform: An Interview with Ajamu Baraka

June 5, 2006
Western Prison Project’s Associate Director David Rogers had the opportunity to interview Ajamu Baraka, director of the U.S. Human Rights Network.

Western Prison Project’s Associate Director David Rogers had the opportunity to interview Ajamu Baraka, director of the

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    • Natl: Appeals Court Upholds 55 Year Sentence

    April 26, 2006
    In 2003, Weldon Angelos was sentenced to a mandatory minimum of 55 years in prison for selling drugs and weapons possession.

    In 2003, Weldon Angelos was sentenced to a mandatory minimum of 55 years in prison for selling drugs and weapons possession.

    OR: State Supreme Court Rules on Longer Sentences

    January 10, 2006
    On the last business day of December, the Oregon Supreme Court decided in a trio of cases to support practices that allow for longer sentences.

    On the last business day of December, the Oregon Supreme Court decided in a trio of cases to support practices that allow for longer sentences.

    National: Supreme Court Docket Includes Cases Affecting People in Prison

    December 15, 2005
    The US Supreme Court is deciding several cases that will affect the rights of incarcerated people.
    Article by Caylor Roling

    The US Supreme Court is deciding several cases that will affect the rights of incarcerated people. In early November, the court heard arguments in Goodman

    OR: Death Penalty Case Filed in Federal Court

    November 15, 2005
    The habeas corpus petition of Clinton Wendell Cunningham was filed in Portland at the US District Courthouse in October.

    The habeas corpus petition of Clinton Wendell Cunningham was filed in Portland at the US District Courthouse in October.

    Blakely v. Washington - The Effect on Oregon Sentencing

    August 31, 2005
    In June 2004 the United States Supreme Court decided Blakely v. Washington, that said that any fact – other than a prior conviction – that increased a defendant’s sentence beyond a statutory minimum had to be proven to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt.
    Article by Greg Silver 

    In June 2004 the United States Supreme Court decided Blakely v. Washington, 542 US 296 (2004).

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