Civil asset forfeiture is a nasty habit law enforcement must break
Law enforcement officials have a nasty habit: using a process called civil asset forfeiture to seize, and keep, the money and property of individuals who are never charged with a…
Qualified immunity violates principle of limited government
With Congress poised to punt on qualified immunity reform, the effort to temper the court-created doctrine that shields government officials from accountability for violating citizens’ constitutional rights likely heads back…
Michigan court to decide on Grand Rapids police fingerprinting people without probable cause
The Michigan Supreme Court is considering the constitutionality of a Grand Rapids police fingerprinting initiative that civil liberties advocates say is a violation of the Fourth Amendment. The Mackinac Center…
Congress balks at qualified immunity reform
Criminal justice reform backers who hoped Congress would take at least some steps to curb the court-created doctrine of qualified immunity are reportedly in for a huge disappointment: Police reform…
Court allows lawsuit against predictive policing to proceed
A U.S. district court judge has ruled that a lawsuit against Pasco County, Florida’s sheriff’s office and its use of predictive policing may proceed. It’s a preliminary, procedural win against…
Taking the fight against qualified immunity back to the Supreme Court
The Institute for Justice is taking the fight against qualified immunity back to the Supreme Court, asking the justices to take up two cases in which federal law enforcement officials…
Qualified immunity hurts school kids, too
The debate over qualified immunity has focused largely on how the court-manufactured doctrine has provided sweeping protections to law enforcement officials who willfully violate individual’s constitutional rights. But the doctrine’s…
Washington limits police militarization and no-knock warrants
The militarization of state and local police departments remains a big problem. But some state lawmakers are taking action to cut down on the amount of military hardware finding its…
Connecticut and Texas expand marijuana access
The Connecticut General Assembly has approved legislation legalizing the recreational use of marijuana: Starting on July 1, Connecticut residents 21 and over will be allowed to purchase or possess up…
Marijuana prohibition still rules official Washington
The Biden administration is happy to talk about expanding the federal government’s role in everyday life. It’s far less eager to talk about the president’s dogged determination to keep fighting…