This is the most important article on the criminal justice system I’ve ever read. Why? Because it is the only article in the popular media I’ve ever come across that looks at how misdemeanors are handled. Although it was published back in April, it will stay relevant until there are fundamental reforms to the system. The piece, Why Misdemeanors Aren’t So Minor, by Professor Alexandra Natapoff, exposes the destructive mishandling of misdemeanor cases that damage the lives of rich and poor—but mostly the working poor. Continue reading “The Most Important Article on the Criminal Justice System-Ever.”
Category: Constitution
Bay Area Blood Draw Policies at Risk in U.S. Supreme Court
The United States Supreme Court is reviewing the policy of taking blood samples from DUI arrestees without a warrant. Here in the Bay area, policies vary from police department to police department. In San Jose, Palo Alto, or San Mateo, you may be forced to give a blood sample depending on whether you’re arrested by a local police department (such as the Los Altos Police Department), the County Sheriff, of the California Highway Patrol (CHP). The CHP has a consistent policy of forcing blood from people who do not consent to take a test. Continue reading “Bay Area Blood Draw Policies at Risk in U.S. Supreme Court”
If You Get Pulled Over After that Holiday Party (Christmas Party, Hannukah Party, Kwanza Party, Etc.)-Silence is Golden, But Honesty is the Best Policy
Police and CHP officers are trained to interrogate DUI suspects with a series of questions that help build the prosecution case, and dismantle your defense. Two of the most critical questions are: “What have you had to drink?” and “When did you stop drinking?” Continue reading “If You Get Pulled Over After that Holiday Party (Christmas Party, Hannukah Party, Kwanza Party, Etc.)-Silence is Golden, But Honesty is the Best Policy”