Courts & Crime

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington, Sept. 6, 2017.

Criminal Justice

Ted Cruz rallies conservatives with changes to criminal justice reform plan

Sen. Ted Cruz has long pushed changes to prevent keep violent offenders from getting out early. In the final days of the Congressional calendar, the Texas Republican got his way, something criminal justice reform advocates hope will bring other reluctant conservatives on board.

Congress

Kamala Harris aide resigns after harassment, retaliation settlement surfaces

Larry Wallace, a top staff member to US Senator Kamala Harris, resigned on Dec. 5, 2018, after The Sacramento Bee inquired about a harassment settlement related to his work at the California Department of Justice.

People on a tour of the Ananda Hemp facilities looked at a hemp plant during the Kentucky Hemp Days festival in Cynthiana on Saturday.

Congress

Felons may be back in the hemp farming business

A provision in the farm bill that would legalize growing hemp but bar felons, may be softened with a 10-year sunset.

Investigations

‘This may be just the beginning.’ U.S. unveils first criminal charges over Panama Papers

Prosecutors charged four people — including a former top lawyer for Mossack Fonseca, the Panamanian firm that helped dictators, drug lords and the ultra-wealthy hide their cash — with financial crimes.

The story behind a Palm Beach sex offender’s remarkable deal

Criminal Justice

How a future Trump Cabinet member gave a serial sex abuser the deal of a lifetime

Jeffrey Epstein avoided a lifetime sentence for underage human and sex trafficking and abuse. Learn how the deal drafted by then prosecutor Alexander Acosta and Epstein’s defense team made the charges go away.

President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting about prison reform with Brooke Rollins, Assistant to the President for Strategic Initiatives, Secretary of Energy Rick Perry, Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin, and Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J.

Criminal Justice

Texas oilman Tim Dunn aims to broaden GOP’s appeal with criminal justice plan

The conservative megadonor is better-known for pushing a controversial social agenda aimed at Republican primary voters in Texas. But Dunn’s bid to make criminal justice reforms a part of mainstream conservative ideology could wind up helping his party find the new supporters it needs in 2020.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky. addresses the crowd gathered at his victory celebration on Tuesday.

Congress

Trump gives Kelley Paul’s push for criminal justice reform a major boost

Kelley Paul, who is married to Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, has stepped into an advocacy role to push efforts to improve the criminal justice system. She says too many people are in prison on drug charges and lives are ruined.

Photographed in 2005, Donald Trump stands in front of 515 N. County Rd., the estate he bought at auction for about $41 million, renovated and then sold in 2008 at a recorded $95 million.

Courts & Crime

Rich Russian who paid top dollar for a Trump mansion is mired in a big scandal

The detention earlier this week in Monaco of a Russian oligarch who seemingly overpaid for a Donald Trump’ mansion in Palm Beach in 2008 is bringing renewed focus on the Russian’s empire, shell companies and relationships.

Midterms

Mike Espy was acquitted 20 years ago. But the corruption charges haunt his Senate bid

Democrat Mike Espy’s Republican foes in Mississippi’s Senate race often mention he was indicted but rarely say that he was acquitted.

Rep. Raul Labrador, R-Idaho, speaks during a news conference on immigration Jan. 10, 2018, on Capitol Hill in Washington.

Justice

‘In the eye of a hurricane’: Third judge could reduce Idaho’s long delays before trial

Idaho is in between “judicial emergencies,” as its two federal district court judges cannot handle all of the state’s civil cases. A bill adding a third judgeship could help, but wouldn’t take effect until 2021.

Two minutes of tension: Kamala Harris questions Kavanaugh on Mueller conversation

Supreme Court

Potential 2020 contender Kamala Harris uses Kavanaugh to help at-risk Democrats

Sen. Kamala Harris has been building Democratic allies using the contentious confirmation process for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, in yet another sign she’s getting ready for a presidential run in 2020.

Privacy experts are raising concerns about police obtaining DNA from juveniles during traffic stops and investigations, sometimes without parental consent. California Gov. Jerry Brown this month signed legislation requiring police to obtain such consent prior to any DNA collection. In this photo, a technician takes a DNA swab from an 11-year-old girl, part of a program by the Medical Center of Central Georgia to provide parents with foolproof ID of their child, in case of a future kidnapping.

Courts & Crime

If police try to take DNA from your kid, do they need your consent first?

California just enacted a law requiring police to obtain parental consent before taking DNA samples from minors during routine street stops. Many states have no such restrictions, allowing “DNA dragnets” of bystanders, including teenagers.

Protesters gather in DC to rally against Kavanaugh

Supreme Court

‘I was screaming at the TV’: Anti-Kavanaugh activists frustrated with Feinstein

Sen. Dianne Feinstein has railed against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh for months, but in her own measured way. That’s not good enough for frustrated activists.

McConnell blames Democrats for media frenzy surrounding Dr. Ford’s testimony

Supreme Court

GOP calls for investigation of Feinstein over Ford letter. But there’s a big problem.

Republicans have repeatedly called for investigations into who leaked Christine Blasey Ford’s letter that accused Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault, focusing particularly on Sen. Dianne Feinstein. But there’s a problem with that.

Courts & Crime

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