Category: Criminal Justice
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Why Technicalities Matter in Criminal Cases
Critics dismiss legal technicalities as loopholes, but those rules exist to protect everyone. Here’s why procedural rigor isn’t the enemy of justice.
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Confessions aren’t always reliable
False confessions account for a meaningful share of wrongful convictions. The interrogation methods that produce them are still routine in U.S. policing.
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The Challenge of Proving Intent
Intent is the linchpin of most criminal cases, and it’s almost impossible to prove directly. Here’s how prosecutors do it and where the system still fails.
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The role of mandatory minimums
Mandatory minimum sentencing was sold as a tough-on-crime fix. Decades of data show it produced mass incarceration, racial disparities, and uncertain deterrent effect.
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Why not all defendants testify
Juries assume innocent defendants will speak in their own defense. The legal reality is that taking the stand is usually the worst move a defendant can make.
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The difficulty of rebuilding after a conviction
A criminal conviction follows people for decades through housing, jobs, and credit. Here’s an honest look at the structural barriers to starting over.