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Criminal (In)justice

Problems with police, prosecutors and courts have people asking: is our criminal justice system broken? University of Pittsburgh law professor David Harris interviews the people who know the system best, and hears their best ideas for fixing it. Criminal (In)justice is an independent production created in partnership with 90.5 WESA, Pittsburgh's NPR News Station.
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Now displaying: March, 2018
Mar 31, 2018

Former Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens offers a simple solution for the seemingly intractable problem of legislating gun safety: repeal the second amendment. Is that realistic?

Mar 30, 2018

Criminal Injustice is two years old today! A message of thanks to everyone who's made made the show a success -- especially our listeners. 

Mar 26, 2018

The close working relationship between a Texas attorney and Hidalgo County Judge Rudy Delgado illustrates the old adage: a good lawyer knows the law, but a great lawyer knows the judge.

Mar 24, 2018

Our February 10 bonus episode on the mechanics of the seemingly inevitable Mueller-Trump interview prompted a question from Eric in New York: is it true that some witnesses get immunity from prosecution when they testify in grand jury proceedings?



Mar 20, 2018

For people attempting to re-enter society from jail, a job is key to staying straight. And a driver’s license is a must for lots of jobs. So why does the law in so many states suspend drivers licenses for crimes having nothing to do with driving? Our guest is Aleks Kajstura, Legal Director of the Prison Policy Initiative. Their report, “Reinstating Common Sense: How Driver’s License Suspensions for Drug Offenses Are Falling Out of Favor,” gives us the scope of the problem.

 

“Reinstating Common Sense”

Prison Policy Initiative

 

Mar 16, 2018

If you followed the sentencing phase of U.S. gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar's sexual abuse trial, you saw dozens of victims testify about how his crimes affected them. Is it unusual for so many people to speak up?

Mar 13, 2018

Ken Starr, a guy who knows a thing or two about jurisdictional overreach, says Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller is exceeding his authority in investigating the Trump campaign's dealings with Russia. On this bonus episode: unpacking the exquisite, multi-tiered hypocrisy of Starr's analysis.

Mar 11, 2018

David discusses the unconstitutional jailing of defendants who can't afford to pay fines and court costs on public radio station 90.5 WESA.

Mar 9, 2018

A Republican gubernatorial candidate in Pennsylvania says school shooters should face automatic, mandatory execution. But the U.S. Supreme Court says only a judge can impose a death sentence. 

Mar 6, 2018

In U.S. courts using bail for pretrial release, those with enough money to get out before trial, but those without cash stay in. But support for reform has been building, and New Jersey did away with cash bail almost entirely in 2017. What happens instead of bail, and how is it working so far? Our guest Roseanne Scotti is with the Drug Policy Alliance, and she’s been part of the reform effort.

New Jersey Bail Reform in the press:

PBS: New Jersey Eliminates Cash Bail, Leads Nation in Reforms

New York Times: New Jersey Is Front Line in a National Battle Over Bail

NJ.com: Here's how much N.J. jail population fell since bail reform

NJ.com: How bail reform is playing out in N.J.'s largest city

Mar 3, 2018

Almost anywhere you find police corruption and abuse, you'll find otherwise decent cops who knew about their colleagues' misconduct and did nothing. How can police earn communities' trust when they continue to protect the worst actors within their own ranks?

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