More from this issue:

1. Faulty Forensics and Wrongful Convictions, by Matthew Clarke
2. Seventh Circuit Affirms Vacatur of Death Sentence Based on Newly Discovered Evidence of Defendant’s Intellectual Disability, by Douglas Ankney
3. Machinery of Death: When the Government Acts as Judge, Jury and Executioner, by John W. Whitehead
4. Seventh Circuit: Indiana’s Sex Offender Registration Act’s ‘Other Jurisdiction Requirement’ Unconstitutional Violation of Right to Travel, by Douglas Ankney
5. Ohio Supreme Court: Retroactive Application of Sexually Violent Predator Law Violates Ex Post Facto Clause, by Dale Chappell
6. Alabama Supreme Court Announces Testimony About Cell-Site Location Data Is ‘Scientific’ Expert Testimony, Not Lay, Triggering Daubert Analysis, by Anthony Accurso
7. Maryland Court of Appeals: MTA’s Fare Sweep Constitutes Suspicionless Seizure in Violation of Fourth Amendment, by Douglas Ankney
8. North Carolina Supreme Court: Judge May Not Reject Informed Guilty Plea Because Defendant Refuses to Admit He’s Factually Guilty, by David Reutter
9. How the Criminal Justice System Fails People With Mental Illness, by Jordan Smith
10. Third Circuit: Brady Claims in Habeas Petitions Timely When Filed Within One Year of Date Reason to Believe Prosecutor Violated Duty To Disclose, by Douglas Ankney
11. Pennsylvania Supreme Court Announces Departure From SCOTUS’ Vehicle Exception to Warrant Requirement, Commonwealth’s Constitution Provides Greater Protections, by Anthony Accurso
12. California Court of Appeal: Lack of Notice of Filing Deadline Due Process Violation, Allowing Late Challenge to Erroneous Parole Designation, by Dale Chappell
13. Ninth Circuit Announces Un-Mirandized Statement Used in Criminal Proceeding Violates Fifth Amendment and Supports § 1983 Claim, by Douglas Ankney
14. Massachusetts Supreme Court Announces ‘Habitual Offender’ Statute Allows for Sentence of Probation Only, by Dale Chappell
15. Hawai’i Supreme Court Announces Clarification of When Self-Induced Intoxication Exception of HRS § 702-230 Applies, by Matthew Clarke
16. STAR Program Redirecting Mental Health Emergency Calls Away From Police a Success in Denver, by Kevin Bliss
17. Kentucky Supreme Court Announces Appellate Standard of Review for Domestic Abuse Exemption to Violent Offender Parole Eligibility, by Anthony Accurso
18. Fifth Circuit: Evidence of Simple Drug Possession Insufficient to Search Cellphone Photos for Evidence of Drug Trafficking, by Anthony Accurso
19. California Supreme Court Announces SB 1437 Bars Second-Degree Murder Based on Natural and Probable Consequences Doctrine, by Douglas Ankney
20. New Drone Tech Being Deployed by Police, by Anthony Accurso
21. Pennsylvania Supreme Court: Officer Testified as Expert on Child Sexual Abuse Without First Being Qualified and 42 Pa.C.S. § 5920 Overruled Dunkle, by Douglas Ankney
22. "Kentucky Supreme Court: Hearing on Defense Counsel’s Fitness Is Critical Stage at Which Defendant Has Right to Be Present With Conflict-Free Counsel", by Douglas Ankney
23. D.C. Circuit: Differing Counsel Effectiveness Findings Create Possible Injustice in Wired Plea Offer, by David Reutter
24. Second Circuit: Jury Instructions Regarding Defendant’s Motive to Testify Falsely Improper, by Anthony Accurso
25. California Court of Appeal Overturns Child Sex Abuse Convictions Based on Prosecution’s Violation of Brady Obligations by Withholding Witness Impeachment Evidence, by Matthew Clarke
26. Fourth Circuit: Conditions of Release Banning Internet Access and Legal Pornography Overbroad and Not Reasonably Related, by Douglas Ankney
27. Kentucky Supreme Court Reverses Murder Convictions Due to ‘Flagrant Prosecutorial Misconduct’ in Misleading Jury, by Matthew Clarke
28. Capitol Police Department Repeatedly Sued Over Racial Discrimination, by Casey Bastian
29. Hundreds Serving Life Due to Less Than Unanimous Jury Verdicts, by Edward Lyon
30. Nevada Supreme Court Reverses Conviction for Murdering Sixth Wife Due to Improper Prior Bad-Act Evidence Regarding Murder of Second Wife, by Matthew Clarke
31. Washington Supreme Court Announces Misconduct of Petitioner’s Own Counsel Can Be Basis for Equitable Tolling in Habeas Proceeding, by Douglas Ankney
32. Hidden Sentences, by Jayson Hawkins
33. Law Degree for South Carolina Magistrates Optional, by Michael Fortino, Ph.D
34. Policing Prostitution in New York, by Jayson Hawkins
35. Tech Company Enables Total Surveillance, by Jayson Hawkins
36. Image of Men Urinating on Grave Protected by First Amendment, by Michael Fortino, Ph.D
37. Shifting View of Criminal Justice in U.S., by Jayson Hawkins
38. Philadelphia Man Exonerated After Police Cover-Up Exposed, by Casey Bastian
39. New Jersey Man Wrongly Arrested Due to Flawed Face Recognition Match, by Anthony Accurso
40. Man Serving 505-Year Sentence Granted Compassionate Release Due to COVID-19
41. Police Robo Stalkers in a Location Near You, by Douglas Ankney
42. News in Brief

More from Douglas Ankney:

• Community Supervision: America’s Hidden Wellspring to Mass Incarceration, Feb. 15, 2025
• Rikers Island Continues Long Practice of Denying Education to Young Adults, Feb. 15, 2025
• Monterey County Pays $1 Million to Settle Suit Over Detainee Suicide by Toilet Tissue; Wellpath Pays Another Undisclosed Sum, Feb. 15, 2025
• Sixth Circuit Revives Challenge by Kentucky Prisoner Left Three Weeks in “Rancid” Paper Undershorts, Feb. 15, 2025
• California Court of Appeal: Evidence Insufficient to Show Robbery Victim Moved ‘Substantial Distance’ to Support Simple Kidnapping Conviction and Amendments to § 186.22 Require Vacatur of Gang Enhancements, Feb. 15, 2025
• Fourth Circuit Revives Claims Against Virginia Jailers by Detainee They Allegedly Manhandled While Handcuffed, Feb. 15, 2025
• Fourth Circuit Reinstates North Carolina Prisoner’s Failure-to-Protect Claim Against Guard in Stabbing, Feb. 15, 2025
• Minnesota Supreme Court Announces No Duty to Retreat When Using Reasonable Force in Defense of Another and Provides Framework for Analyzing Such Claims, Feb. 1, 2025
• NIJ Partners With Doctor to Develop Better Screening Method to Detect and Identify Drugs Postmortem, Jan. 15, 2025
• Fines and Fees Destroy the Impoverished and Perpetuate Mass Incarceration, Jan. 15, 2025

More from these topics:

• Fourth Circuit Grants Rare Bivens Extension to Federal Prisoner Allegedly Abused by Guards at Virginia Lockup, Dec. 15, 2024. Guard Misconduct, Guard Brutality/Beatings, Tolling of Statutes of Limitations and Laches.
• Seventh Circuit Avoids Deciding Whether Wisconsin Statute of Limitations Tolls from Prisoner’s Incident or Grievances, Oct. 15, 2024. Grievances, Tolling of Statutes of Limitations and Laches.
• California Bar Accuses L.A. Lawyer of Deceiving Prisoners Seeking Resentencing, Oct. 15, 2024. Attorney Misconduct, Malpractice (Attorneys), False Statements/Perjury.
• Third Circuit Finds Relation-Back Rule Misapplied to Philadelphia Prisoner’s “Crappy” Ordeal Lawsuit, Oct. 15, 2024. Attorney Misconduct, Frivolous Litigation, U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
• Texas Prosecutor Gets Fine, Probated Bar Suspension After Jailing Woman for Abortion, Aug. 15, 2024. Prosecutor/Attorney General Misconduct, Abortion, Attorney Misconduct, Fines.
• Third Circuit Orders Evidentiary Hearing on State Prisoner’s Petition Seeking Federal Habeas Relief Because Both State and Federal Courts Denied Relief Without Holding Hearing on IAC Claim That, if Proven, Would Entitle Him to Relief, Aug. 1, 2024. Evidentiary Ruling, Habeas Corpus, Ineffective Assistance of Counsel, Counsel - Effective Assistance of.
• Families of New Jersey Jail Suicide Victims Still Waiting for Settlement Payouts, May 1, 2024. Attorney Misconduct, Settlements, Suicides.
• Maine Supreme Court: Defense Counsel Ineffective for Opening Door to Otherwise Inadmissible Evidence of Bad Character, April 15, 2024. Parental rights, Counsel - Effective Assistance of, Strickland Standard, Failure to Preserve Challenge, Failure to Consult/Investigate/Raise, Battered Child/Spouse Evidence, Character/Reputation/Propensity, Bad Acts Evidence.
• Oregon Supreme Court Announces ‘Escape Clause’ of Postconviction Relief Statute’s SOL Applies to Severe Mental Impairments During Limitations Period, March 15, 2024. Habeas Corpus, Involuntary Treatment/Drugging, Civil Commitment, Tolling of Statutes of Limitations and Laches.
• Fifth Circuit Affirms Habeas Relief Granted to Capital Defendant Where Counsel Failed to Impeach State’s Pivotal Wit-ness with Available Forensic Evidence, Jan. 15, 2024. AEDPA, Effective Assistance of Counsel, Counsel - Effective Assistance of, Strickland Standard, Identification Documents/Evidence, Failure to Consult/Investigate/Raise, Trial Strategy, Strickland v. Washington.