“The state is one of eight that allow cops to arraign people on misdemeanor charges. Advocates and academics say the practice is unjust.“
The Appeal
October 10, 2019
Read More“The concept of sentence review units is not entirely unfamiliar; it builds on conviction review units that root out cases where an innocent person has been found guilty. Sentence review units are similar, but instead of wrongful convictions, they seek out cases where the sentence seems excessive. What counts as “excessive” is necessarily a judgment call, but examples include sentences that in retrospect seem disproportionate to the severity of the offense, or those that are far longer than what a person sentenced today would receive.“
New York Times
August 1, 2019
Read More“A judge’s decision could end the practice of jailing people for soliciting money along streets and highways, but DA Spencer Merriweather has been slow to embrace the change.“
The Appeal
October 16, 2018
Read More“It had been less than 24 hours since homicide Lt. Michael Russell had been summoned to a killing, and now, on a hot Saturday morning in July, he was headed to yet another. One of his sergeants texted him with a message and a location: “Man, can’t get a breather,...“
Washington Post
September 13, 2018
Read More"The fight for reform manifested in Nevada in this year’s Democratic primary for district attorney in Clark County, where incumbent Steve Wolfson beat attorney Robert Langford. Though voters rallied behind Langford in the hope he would overhaul parts of the local justice system such as bail reform, the election was never solely about the candidates."
The Nevada Current
August 3, 2018
Read More"Most DA offices, however, just pocket the money and run, according to the enter. They “do not screen tickets, counsel motorists or provide any rehabilitative programming,” according to the complaint. They do, however, charge enough to realize a handsome profit, which provides a significant subsidy for their other operations. In some cases, traffic ticket diversion fees account for half the DA's overall budget. Some district attorneys make sure the money keeps rolling in by hiring off-duty cops just to pull drivers over."
The Advocate
June 23, 2018
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