Latest Criminal Law News

Justice seeks ratification of legal assistance pacts
THE Department of Justice has asked the Senate to immediate ratify the agreements signed by the Philippine government with China, the United Kingdom, and Northern Ireland providing for mutual legal assistance in criminal matters. In a letter to Sen.
Updated: 03/04/2012 09:06A

Federal sentences still vary widely, despite reform
By AP WASHINGTON — A new study shows that federal judges are handing out widely disparate sentences for similar crimes 30 years after Congress tried to create fairer results, but the differences don't line up with the party of the president who
Updated: 03/04/2012 08:51A

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He said TRAC doggedly pursued the data because it's vital the public and the courts have evidence that could improve the justice system. "Criminal defense attorneys, for example, have long relied on anecdotal, sometimes gossipy information to advise
Updated: 03/04/2012 08:50A

Systemic silencing: Little incentive to cry 'rape!' (1)
If the victim is too distraught, confused, weak or scared to stand up in court and point to her accuser, DNA that is found in the victim's hair, nails, and body fluids will provide clues as to the culprit's identity. However, it can only be used if
Updated: 03/04/2012 08:48A

Federal Judges Give Disparate Sentences: Study
He said TRAC doggedly pursued the data because it's vital the public and the courts have evidence that could improve the justice system. "Criminal defense attorneys, for example, have long relied on anecdotal, sometimes gossipy information to advise
Updated: 03/04/2012 08:37A

Women refused legal abortions in rape cases
However, hospitals often refuse to carry out the procedure, instead referring the women to the justice system. Argentine law penalizes doctors who carry out abortions and the women who have them, with certain exceptions. The 1921 Criminal Code states
Updated: 03/04/2012 08:12A

AP Enterprise: Federal sentences still vary widely
On Monday, TRAC planned to launch the first publicly available database of sentencing records, sortable by judge, after a 15-year struggle to get records from a reluctant Justice Department. The center has filed FOIA lawsuits against the department
Updated: 03/04/2012 07:58A

Hearing loss hits NT indigenous inmates
Photo: Harry Afentoglou NINE out of 10 Aboriginal inmates in Northern Territory jails suffer significant hearing loss, according to a study focusing on an insidious but little-known impediment facing indigenous people in the criminal justice system.
Updated: 03/04/2012 07:56A

Amended state ruling allows for resumption of reserve police officers
The state Department of Criminal Justice Services sent a Thursday letter to Virginia police chiefs, telling them that they could resume use of auxiliary police forces “if your governing body has determined that the auxiliary police force meets
Updated: 03/04/2012 07:48A

DOJ asks Senate to ratify 3 legal assistance pacts
THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has asked the Senate to immediately ratify the treaties signed by the Philippines with China, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland providing for mutual legal assistance (MLAT) in criminal matters.
Updated: 03/04/2012 07:38A