Recently, the legislature passed a measure to change how bail is determined in Wisconsin. It has passed twice in consecutive legislative sessions, which means that it will now head to our April ballot as a constitutional amendment. How bail is determined is critically...
new laws
What will President Biden’s executive order on policing tactics do?
Recently, President Joe Biden signed an executive order meant, among other things, to restrict some of the more controversial tactics used by police. The order only applies federal law enforcement, but it could be used as a model for states to provide better...
Illinois cops can no longer lie to people under 18
The state of Illinois was once called the “false confession capital of the United States,” according to the Innocence Project. It was after many false confessions came to light in high-profile exoneration cases. "In Illinois alone, there have been 100 wrongful...
2 states pass laws to limit police use of genealogy data
Did you know that taking a genetic genealogy test could result in your DNA being uploaded to a national, searchable database that police could use to accuse you of a crime? Worse, it’s not just you who is at risk. The entry of your DNA into such a database exposes...
What has changed in the year since George Floyd’s death?
It has been just over a year since the May 24, 2020 death of 46-year-old Black man George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police. The event spurred nationwide – and worldwide – protests and a movement to change policing, especially as applied to Black people and...
Wisconsin offers job-seeking help for those released from prison
Study after study has shown that people who find employment after being released from prison are much less likely to reoffend. Unfortunately, former prisoners are often released with limited resources, little to no job training or education, and few opportunities for...
Evers pushes juvenile justice overhaul, legislature may push back
In 2018, former governor Walker and lawmakers agreed in principle to shut down the Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake youth prisons, which have a history of abuse. The idea was to replace them with several new facilities, including a new state prison for serious juvenile...
US Senate panel promotes websites’ liability for sex trafficking
The U.S. Senate's Commerce Committee has passed a measure that would change the liability rules for internet platforms that host certain exploitive materials. States and victims would be able to sue internet hosts, social media companies and advertising platforms for...