By Frank Morris The theory that correcting racial and other demographic disparities in the administration of criminal justice can be achieved by electing reformist prosecutors who promise to use their broad discretionary and nolle prosequi privileges to reduce incarceration—so-called “progressive prosecution”—has gained traction in recent years.[1] The election of progressive prosecutors such as Larry Krasner in Philadelphia, Kim Ogg in Houston, and Rachel Rollins in Boston … Continue reading The Potential Pitfalls of Progressive Prosecution

By Zach Lisner The Problem When it comes to sentencing, who should have control? Currently, our nation is divided in every aspect; criminal sentencing is no exception. For most of our nation’s legal history, judges were entrusted by citizens to decide what an individual’s sentence was, based on the crime and specific circumstances. However, after the crime waves of the 1970s, Congress reacted with the … Continue reading Should Mandatory Minimum Penalties Be Mandatory?

By Claudia Leonor For violators of criminal law, the process of stigmatization begins with arrest and conviction.[1] Arrest and conviction create “a panoply of economic, social, and political post-conviction penalties . . . intended to assure that the shame of incarceration is not forgotten or avoided.”[2] A felony conviction, in particular, carries collateral civil consequences that condemn a criminal offender to a lifetime of second-class … Continue reading Felony Convictions: The Disenfranchisement and Disempowerment of Black Communities

By Jessica Rooke Hey all you cool cats and kittens, remember Tiger King? This sensational Netflix documentary premiered in the height of the 2020 pandemic displaying Joseph Maldonado-Passage, the star known better as “Joe Exotic” and his concerning roadside zoo in Oklahoma. [1]    This documentary did not only just provide entertainment for us stuck at home, it also sparked a movement. A movement of animal … Continue reading Virginia’s Own Tiger King: How the Netflix Documentary Impacted Roadside Zoos