The hottest Criminal Justice Substack posts right now

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Top U.S. Politics Topics

Death Row Inmate Saved by Supreme Court

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 60 implied HN points • 26 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Criminal Justice Supreme Court Death Penalty Activism Legal Reform
  1. Richard Glossip, a death row inmate, has been saved from execution by a recent Supreme Court ruling. This has brought hope to his family and supporters.
  2. Lea Glossip, Richard's wife, waited nine years for this moment and had a unique relationship with him before they married.
  3. The case highlights ongoing debates about the death penalty and raises questions about justice and wrongful convictions in the legal system.

The Epstein Rerun

The Reactionary • 111 implied HN points • 28 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Legal Criminal Justice Law enforcement Public Policy
  1. The Department of Justice released a 200-page binder related to Jeffrey Epstein, but most of it included old documents and was heavily redacted. It's not the fresh information people were hoping for.
  2. Attorney General Pam Bondi found out that the FBI was hiding thousands of pages of documents on Epstein. This raises concerns about transparency and the effectiveness of the investigation.
  3. The focus on Epstein's case needs to expand beyond the FBI to include the Department of Justice, especially regarding past plea deals and communication with victims.

Trump's a Rapist

Magic + Loss • 2147 implied HN points • 21 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Campaigns Political Opinions Criminal Justice Public Safety
  1. Trump has been legally labeled a rapist by a jury and a judge. This means he is held accountable for his actions.
  2. Instead of overwhelming voters with many reasons not to support Trump, focusing on his status as a rapist is a clear and straightforward argument.
  3. Reiterating that Trump is a rapist can be an effective way to persuade others against voting for him, as it addresses a serious issue directly.

Prison And Crime: Much More Than You Wanted To Know

Astral Codex Ten • 35858 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Criminal Justice Policing Prison Reform Public Policy
  1. Long prison sentences don't necessarily lower crime rates. Studies suggest they have a weak effect on deterring future crime and might not be worth the costs.
  2. Incapacitating criminals by keeping them in prison does prevent some crimes, but the number of crimes prevented by an extra year in prison is generally low compared to other crime-fighting methods.
  3. After someone is released from prison, their chance of reoffending can actually increase due to loss of social connections and opportunities, making long sentences sometimes counterproductive.

ACX Survey Results 2025

Astral Codex Ten • 14591 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Surveys Elections Public Opinion Political Behavior COVID-19 Criminal Justice
  1. The survey showed that people's attitudes about Donald Trump have changed positively, with his favorability ratings increasing over time.
  2. About 4.5% of participants reported experiencing Long COVID, and while new cases are appearing, many seem to improve over time.
  3. Most respondents prefer older architecture over modern styles, and they tend to support softer approaches to punishment for minor crimes like shoplifting.
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The DOJ is investigating how many crimes are committed with masks on

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 149 implied HN points • 22 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy Criminal Justice Public Health Government Accountability
  1. Wearing masks in public hasn't shown to help stop the spread of viruses and was even advised against by health experts before the pandemic. Many believe mask mandates are not useful.
  2. There is a concern that masks provide anonymity, which some criminals may exploit. This has prompted the DOJ to look into how many crimes are committed by people wearing masks.
  3. As more people stopped masking, some places started banning public masking altogether. This shift highlights a growing belief that masks can hinder law enforcement and harm social interactions.

Who Will Buy TikTok From China? Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1567 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Civil Rights Judiciary Tech Policy Media influence Criminal Justice
  1. There is a legal case challenging Biden's transgender prison policy. A woman is arguing that sharing spaces with transgender inmates makes her feel unsafe.
  2. With a potential ban on TikTok approaching, there are talks about who might buy the platform, including possible buyers like Trump or Elon Musk.
  3. In Los Angeles, wildfires have caused many people to flee their homes, and volunteers are working hard to provide support and shelter for those affected.

Highlights From The Comments On Prison

Astral Codex Ten • 15485 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Criminal Justice Prison Reform Policing Public Policy Societal Impact
  1. Many criminals act without thinking of long-term consequences. They might believe they'd get away with risky behavior, such as driving drunk, which can lead to serious problems later on.
  2. Prison can sometimes offer a break from harmful lifestyles, especially for those already struggling with addiction or crime. It might not disrupt a stable life, since some people had a challenging life full of problems even before incarceration.
  3. The effectiveness of longer prison sentences as a deterrent is questionable. Many criminals don't pay attention to the details of potential punishments, but are more influenced by the chance of getting caught while committing a crime.

The Folly of Freeing Ross Ulbricht

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 551 implied HN points • 21 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Legislation Political parties Public Policy Criminal Justice
  1. Trump granted a full pardon to Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the Silk Road drug market. This move was seen as a way to appeal to Libertarians who have been advocating for his release.
  2. Many people believe this pardon goes against Trump's earlier promises of law and order. They argue it raises questions about his commitment to serious crime issues.
  3. The situation shows the tensions within political platforms about how to handle crime and punishment. Some see it as a step toward freedom, while others view it as a dangerous message.

Wandsworth Prison Blues

Wrong Side of History • 365 implied HN points • 22 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Media Society Entertainment Criminal Justice Human behavior
  1. A British prison officer became famous for being in an explicit video with an inmate, which caused a lot of social media buzz. This incident shows how some scandalous situations can quickly go viral and attract public attention.
  2. The officer, while married and a mother, had an OnlyFans account where she shared adult content, reflecting a trend among some individuals in the public eye to mix their private lives with explicit online personas.
  3. The video was recorded by a fellow inmate, highlighting a certain rebellious culture within the prison. This culture can create unusual dynamics among inmates and staff, sometimes leading to serious consequences.

Poetic Justice for Jay Bhattacharya. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2606 implied HN points • 02 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Policy Government Foreign Relations Criminal Justice
  1. Jay Bhattacharya faced a lot of pushback for questioning COVID-19 lockdowns, but now he's nominated to lead the NIH. It feels like he's getting the recognition he deserves after being silenced.
  2. Tulsi Gabbard is facing unfair accusations of being a Russian asset due to her past views and meetings. People believe she should have a chance to explain herself in a confirmation hearing instead of being labeled.
  3. Hunter Biden received a controversial pardon from his father, Joe Biden, just before leaving office. This decision has upset many, including some Democrats, because it seems he's getting special treatment compared to others.

I Met the Alleged CEO Assassin

The Prism • 1757 implied HN points • 22 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Politics Social Issues Criminal Justice Healthcare Cultural Commentary
  1. The individual named Luigi Mangione, once seen as a nice and thoughtful person, is now accused of murder. This raises questions about how people can show kindness yet still commit terrible acts.
  2. Luigi felt strongly about people losing their sense of agency and believed many were living on autopilot. He was eager to discuss ways to regain control over his life.
  3. There are dangers in attributing blame for societal issues to individuals. The healthcare system is complex, and scapegoating someone doesn't solve the bigger problems at play.

A Chicago judge just erased her predecessor's historic ruling on forensic firearms analysis

The Watch • 726 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Judicial system Criminal Justice Legal Reform Civil Rights
  1. A judge in Chicago recently overturned a significant ruling that questioned the reliability of forensic firearms analysis. This ruling had previously stopped prosecutors from presenting certain expert testimony in court.
  2. Forensic firearms analysis lacks strong scientific backing, and there's little evidence showing that analysts can accurately match bullets to guns. This raises doubts about its validity as a reliable tool in criminal cases.
  3. The legal system often prefers to maintain the status quo, which can prevent important scientific critiques from being heard. This means flawed methods can remain in use, making it hard to achieve true justice for those accused.

There is No Ideal Drug Policy

Freddie deBoer • 3310 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Drug policy Prohibition Criminal Justice Public Health Political Ideology
  1. There is no perfect solution for drug policy because people will always seek out drugs, and some might suffer serious consequences from their choices. It's important to accept that addiction and tragedy can happen, regardless of the laws in place.
  2. Efforts to decriminalize drugs often come with challenges, but reverting to strict prohibition has historically failed and leads to more harm than good. Enforcing harsh penalties on the drug trade can result in a cycle of injustice and social problems.
  3. The idea that every issue has a simple solution can be misleading. Sometimes, trying to fix a complex problem like drug use with quick fixes can create more issues rather than resolving the existing ones.

Grading the World's Shortest Manifesto

Cremieux Recueil • 1944 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy Healthcare Criminal Justice Social Issues Mental health
  1. The manifesto written by the killer does not support his actions and lacks logical reasoning. It fails to make a strong case for why he committed such a violent act.
  2. The killer misunderstands the U.S. healthcare system and its costs. Poor life expectancy in the U.S. is mostly due to factors unrelated to healthcare quality, like obesity and violence, rather than the system itself.
  3. Blaming 'corruption and greed' in the healthcare system oversimplifies complex issues. Good people can make bad choices in healthcare policy without being motivated by greed or corruption.

Trump’s Immunity Defense Crumbles

The Status Kuo • 14662 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legal Presidency Impeachment Supreme Court Criminal Justice
  1. The panel was skeptical of Trump's absolute immunity claim, even a Republican appointee was doubtful.
  2. Allowing presidential immunity from prosecution could lead to dangerous outcomes, like enabling the president to order assassinations.
  3. The Judgment Impeachment Clause argument is weak, as it does not provide absolute immunity from prosecution for a president.

The Case Against California Proposition 36

Astral Codex Ten • 8603 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Reform Criminal Justice Drug policy
  1. Proposition 36 would increase penalties for certain drug and theft crimes, but tough sentences don't actually lower drug use or reduce crime rates. It's important to focus on better treatment options instead of just harsher punishments.
  2. The law proposes a new 'treatment-mandated felony' but lacks funding for adequate treatment facilities. California desperately needs more treatment beds to help those struggling with addiction.
  3. Shoplifting rates are rising, but it's not just because of previous laws like Prop 47. Focusing on smarter policing and addressing the root causes of crime is more effective than simply increasing penalties.

A Rebuttal

Points And Figures • 666 implied HN points • 29 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Law enforcement Political corruption Criminal Justice Investigative Journalism Local government
  1. Sheriff Dart should rethink the situation regarding Steve Fanady's treatment in jail. It seems unfair and has raised concerns about his rights.
  2. There are serious allegations against Dart, but his supporters deny them strongly. They believe he is being targeted by people who don’t like him.
  3. Chicago's media needs to dig deeper into corruption instead of just reporting on it later. Investigative journalism is important for the city's residents.

OSD 311: The courts will never protect your rights

Open Source Defense • 52 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Judicial system Civil Rights Criminal Justice Legal Reform
  1. Courts are often seen as protectors of rights, but they mainly follow existing rules rather than actively defending individual freedoms. This means real change often comes from cultural shifts instead.
  2. Most criminal cases end in plea deals, not trials. This shows how courts can actually support systems that pressure people into giving up their rights to fight their charges.
  3. Historical examples show that courts sometimes fail to protect rights when it matters most. Cultures and societal values shape the law more than court decisions, so real progress comes from public support and action.

Unconscionable Punishment

Fake Noûs • 418 implied HN points • 21 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Criminal Justice Incarceration Policy Reform Social Issues
  1. America has a huge problem with mass incarceration, with many people in prison for non-violent crimes. This system brings a lot of harm to individuals and families, and it costs the government a lot of money.
  2. Prison conditions can be very abusive, and this abuse is often ignored. It's important to realize that when the state puts someone in prison, it has a responsibility for what happens to them there.
  3. Instead of relying heavily on prisons, we should consider alternatives like community service and forcing criminals to pay restitution to their victims. This could achieve similar benefits without the negative side effects of prisons.

Detained Americans Face Another Christmas in the Gulag

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 389 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Human Rights Criminal Justice
  1. Many Americans are wrongfully detained in foreign countries. Some of these individuals are being used as leverage by foreign governments.
  2. The U.S. government doesn't keep a clear list of detained Americans, making it hard to know how many are in this situation. Cases can vary, with some facing serious charges while others have experienced unfair treatment.
  3. High-profile cases, like Marc Fogel's, highlight the struggles families face while advocating for the release of their loved ones. Even with political support, many remain in difficult circumstances with no clear path to freedom.

Ex-prison inmate, Frances, tells her story of living with a trans-identifying male (a man) in an NZ women’s jail

A B’Old Woman • 899 implied HN points • 17 Jun 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Prison System Gender identity Women's Rights Criminal Justice Trans rights
  1. Frances shares her experience of living in a women's jail alongside a trans-identifying male who was involved in an assault against her. It highlights her struggle and feelings of vulnerability in that situation.
  2. After living with this man in the self-care unit, Frances had to negotiate living arrangements and ensure safety while also trying to keep the peace, indicating complex dynamics in prison life.
  3. Corrections NZ policies on housing trans-identifying males with women have changed over time, but Frances emphasizes that these men are still fundamentally men, impacting how women feel in these environments.

Trump Unhinged

Diane Francis • 979 implied HN points • 06 Jun 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Law Political Commentary Public Opinion Criminal Justice
  1. Donald Trump was convicted on 34 felony counts, but many Americans still believe he had a fair trial. The legal system held a powerful person accountable, showing that the rule of law is still strong.
  2. Trump's reputation in New York is not great, with many viewing him as a 'conman.' Despite this, he plans to use his convictions to rally support for his re-election campaign.
  3. Polling shows that a significant number of people, including independents and some Republicans, think Trump should end his campaign now that he's a convicted felon.

Biden’s Commutations

David Friedman’s Substack • 323 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Judicial system Drug policy Criminal Justice
  1. Biden pardoned 39 people convicted of non-violent offenses, mostly related to drugs. This helps them rebuild their lives by removing convictions from their records.
  2. He also commuted the sentences of 1499 others still in prison, allowing them to be released but still keeping their criminal records. Some of these cases drew criticism, especially concerning a judge involved in a major bribery scandal.
  3. Critics argue that Biden's policy to commute sentences was too broad and didn't consider the individual circumstances of those being released. There's concern that some who received commutations, like the corrupt judge, still deserved harsher punishment.

penny for your thoughts

bad cattitude • 304 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Criminal Justice Civil Rights Public Safety Law enforcement Social Issues
  1. There's a struggle over what kind of society we want, and people are deeply divided on how to protect it. One side sees Daniel Penny as a hero for stopping a threat, while the other views him as a dangerous killer.
  2. The justice system seems to favor criminals over victims, which creates fear. Prosecutors often act based on threats of violence, leading to a breakdown in law and order that affects everyone.
  3. We need to allow society to protect itself. People should be able to defend themselves and each other safely, without fear of harsh penalties for taking a stand against wrongdoers.

Clownfish Carnival

Disaffected Newsletter • 879 implied HN points • 26 May 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Criminal Justice Media Analysis Social Issues Psychology Cultural Commentary
  1. Some states are changing how we label criminals, calling them 'justice-impacted individuals' instead. This shift might confuse the moral understanding of victims and criminals.
  2. A new NBC documentary called 'Queer Planet' is being discussed, which features people talking about gender and sex. A psychoanalyst will explore what this means for our society.
  3. There's concern about the younger generation lacking proper upbringing or 'home training.' People wonder how this will affect society in the future.

the penny drops?

bad cattitude • 280 implied HN points • 07 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legal system Criminal Justice Public Safety Civil Rights Political Activism
  1. The jury in the Daniel Penny trial struggled to reach a verdict on the manslaughter charge, leading to confusion over legal instructions. This situation highlights the complexities in legal processes that can affect trial outcomes.
  2. The legal system may be encouraging prosecutors to overcharge defendants, creating a risky environment for those accused. This could lead to unfair trials and pressure on defendants to accept plea deals.
  3. Many believe that Daniel Penny was justified in his actions against a violent individual on the subway, while others criticize the system for allowing such threats to persist. This reflects a broader debate about public safety and the responsibility of the justice system.

Secrecy and Government Weaponization Behind Distrust Of FBI’s Investigation Into New Year’s Day Killings

Michael Shellenberger • 1108 implied HN points • 06 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Investigations Criminal Justice Military Public Trust
  1. Transparency from the government is needed to rebuild trust with the public. When people feel kept in the dark, they start to doubt the investigations that are supposed to protect them.
  2. There is a serious issue with military veterans committing extremist acts. The number of former service members involved in such crimes has noticeably increased in recent years.
  3. The circumstances surrounding a recent tragic incident involving a veteran raise many questions. Discrepancies in the manifesto he allegedly wrote and his emails suggest that there may be more to the story than what officials have presented.

The "broligarch" threat to criminal justice reform

The Watch • 493 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Criminal Justice Elections Public Policy Political Narrative
  1. A new group of wealthy Republican donors, like Elon Musk, is spending a lot of money to undermine criminal justice reforms that many people support. They use fear and misinformation to influence public opinion against these reforms.
  2. Recent elections showed mixed results for criminal justice reform, but the narrative often ignores that where voters understood the real situation, reform generally succeeded. Some losses were fueled by huge funding to spread misleading information.
  3. Progressive prosecutors face unique challenges, including intense scrutiny, aggressive recall efforts, and media backlash, often related to crime rates that may not directly link to their policies. This creates an environment where their actions and reforms get blamed for crime increases, despite evidence to the contrary.

Daniel Penny Is A Hero

Journal of Free Black Thought • 101 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Criminal Justice Public Safety Media Criticism Political Accountability Race relations
  1. Daniel Penny was found not guilty for the death of Jordan Neely during a subway incident. Many believe he acted in defense of other passengers who felt threatened.
  2. There were concerns that the media focused too much on race in this situation, ignoring facts like other passengers helping Penny and Neely's troubling behavior.
  3. The writer argues that the real issues are the failures of the local politicians to handle problems like homelessness and mental health, rather than blaming Penny for the incident.

New Q&A Series, No. 1: Answering Some Extremely Easy Questions Asked By the Worst-Informed and Most Disingenuous Far-Right Billionaires on Earth

Proof • 84 implied HN points • 04 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Criminal Justice Political Commentary Public Policy Law enforcement Social Issues
  1. Just because someone has many arrests doesn't mean they committed a lot of crimes. A single incident can lead to multiple arrests for different charges.
  2. Most criminal cases don't involve prison time; people often face fines, probation, or other penalties instead of jail. Many arrests are for minor offenses.
  3. It's important for wealthy people to understand the real effects of tough criminal laws. Harsh policies can hurt families and increase crime in communities.

Biden Commuted Life Sentence of Leonard Peltier

Tessa Fights Robots • 32 implied HN points • 21 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Criminal Justice Indigenous rights Political Commentary
  1. President Biden commuted the life sentence of Leonard Peltier, allowing him to move to home confinement after fifty years in prison. This is seen as a positive change in his situation.
  2. Peltier, who was convicted in connection with the deaths of two FBI agents, has always maintained his innocence. His case has been controversial and has generated discussions about justice.
  3. The author encourages readers to reflect on the historical treatment of indigenous people in America and to be more honest about current social issues and their roots.

Law Enforcement And Genealogy Databases

ASeq Newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Law enforcement Privacy Rights Criminal Justice Data Access
  1. Genealogy databases like GEDMatch can help law enforcement find suspects by connecting them to family trees using public DNA data. However, this process isn’t straightforward and can raise privacy concerns.
  2. There are ongoing legal issues regarding how law enforcement accesses genetic data, especially when users haven't given clear permission. Some companies have provided access to data against users' wishes.
  3. As the technology improves, it's likely that genetic databases will become more effective for solving crimes. This raises questions about privacy and the potential misuse of such powerful tools.

Links to Consider, 12/3/2024

In My Tribe • 440 implied HN points • 03 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education Mental health Criminal Justice Cultural critique
  1. Shaming and judging behavior is part of all cultures, but today's society often ignores harmful actions while focusing on different issues.
  2. To improve K-12 education, it's suggested to hire teachers based on their expertise in specific subjects rather than their credentials alone.
  3. Radical ideologies can be harmful because they often distract from real issues and the mental health struggles of those who promote them.

Wishing For Entrapment

Yassine Meskhout • 471 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Capitol Riot Law enforcement Criminal Justice
  1. The Ray Epps conspiracy theory revolves around him being an undercover federal agent, blamed for orchestrating the J6 riot.
  2. The treatment of Ray Epps by the criminal justice system is compared to other J6 defendants to assess unusual leniency.
  3. Despite intense scrutiny, no conclusive evidence has been found to confirm Ray Epps as an informant or scapegoat for the J6 violence and chaos.

The Duty to Disregard the Law

Fake Noûs • 100 implied HN points • 26 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legal theory Civil Rights Criminal Justice Moral Philosophy
  1. Juries should avoid contributing to injustice. This means not convicting someone who didn't actually do anything wrong or punishing them too harshly.
  2. Sometimes laws are unjust, and it’s important for juries to recognize this. Disregarding such laws can be a moral duty, just like not helping wrongdoers.
  3. The common reasons people give for convicting in unjust cases are not very strong. It's important to think critically about the fairness of the law and its application.