by Casey J. Bastian
Miami Police Department (“MPD”) Chief of Police Manny Morales believes in officer accountability. His statement makes that clear: “If in fact it is determined that it is our officer, he will be held accountable for his actions.” In the statement, Morales described the officer as having ...
by Casey J. Bastian
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) operates U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”). In turn, ICE oversees the subagency Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”). Since 2019, HSI has used its administrative subpoena powers to request bulk financial records from Western Union and Maxitransfers Corporation (“Maxi”). The ...
by Casey J. Bastian
As we evolve our systems of criminaljustice, it becomes apparent that we must first agree what constitutes “justice.” And when we focus on what is justice within the criminal procedures for adjudicating guilt, an old maxim is frequently cited by many people — it is “better ...
by Casey J. Bastian
Among an individual’s rights enshrined in the U.S Constitution is their Sixth Amendment right to assistance of legal counsel. The principle ensures an accused person in America is able to defend against a criminal prosecution. This right has been expanded by the Supreme Court of the ...
by Casey J. Bastian
The murder of George Floyd in 2020 resulted in massive Black Lives Matter protests and vigorous calls to defund the police. Politicians across the country seemed to respond to those demands. Budgets were slashed, and cities reduced policing while implementing community-based alternatives. It appears the heat ...
by Casey J. Bastian
Our society is increasingly reliant on data and technology in nearly every sector, both public and private. Law enforcement and public safety institutions are regular consumers of data offerings. Tech companies like Accenture, Microsoft, Oracle, HunchLab, ShotSpotter, and PredPol are maximizing financial opportunities by “improving” policing. ...
by Casey J. Bastian
A recent ad campaign in Charlotte, North Carolina, asks viewers to “Shine a light on drug trafficking.” A new tip line was introduced, purportedly intended to help agents intercept massive drug shipments coming into the Charlotte metro area. People are incentivized to call through promises of ...
by Casey J. Bastian
Police departments across the U.S. have been increasingly reliant on drones for a variety of law enforcement duties. The Huntsville Police Department (“HPD”) in Alabama has seen a 300 percent year-over-year increase in drone usage since 2017. The HPD drone program has been hailed as a ...
by Casey J. Bastian
Many Americans have heard the term “whistleblower.” Someone who is willing to reveal something covert or corrupt or who informs against another. Ostensibly lauded, such people willing to take a principled stand frequently face tremendous retribution from those being exposed. In one profession in particular, being ...
Nobody Knows for Sure
by Casey J. Bastian
If you were asked to identify the exact number of acts that are considered a federal “crime” in the U.S., could you do it? The answer is almost certainly no. No one, not even the federal government itself, knows the answer. Shockingly, ...
