criminal justice

Alabama Lawmakers Reject Bill to Release Police Bodycam Footage

Apr 18, 2024

A bill aimed at making police-worn body camera footage public record in Alabama was defeated in a Senate committee vote on Wednesday. Sponsored by Sen. Merika Coleman, D-Birmingham, the legislation, SB14, would have mandated the release of bodycam and dashcam video footage within 30 days of a request, making it accessible to families as well.…
The C.J. Rice Story: Innocent Man Exonerated After Spending 12 Years Behind Bars Over 2011 Shooting

Mar 25, 2024

After more than a decade of maintaining his innocence, C.J. Rice, formerly known as Charles J. Rice, has been officially exonerated from a wrongful conviction that resulted in over 12 years of imprisonment. The exoneration was pronounced at the Juanita Kidd Stout Center for Criminal Justice in Philadelphia on Monday morning, marking the end of…
Harvard Law Faculty Share Favorite Law-Related Movies and Characters

Mar 14, 2024

Amid 96th Academy Awards on March 10, Harvard Law Today delves into the cinematic world of law, seeking insights from members of the Harvard Law School faculty on their favorite law-related movies, TV shows, and characters. Reflecting on the intersection of law and cinema, Martha Minow, 300th Anniversary University Professor, shares her fondness for the…
Maine Faces Urgent Public Defender Crisis as Judge Rejects Settlement Proposal

Mar 8, 2024

Maine’s ongoing struggle to provide adequate legal representation for indigent residents has faced another setback as a proposed settlement to improve the state’s public defender system was rejected by a judge. In a recent ruling, Justice Michaela Murphy declined to approve a second proposed settlement aimed at addressing the deficiencies in Maine’s system for providing…