crime

Weed Arrests: Racist, Costly, Destructive

Hamilton Nolan · 06/04/13 10:13AM

A comprehensive new report from the ACLU about marijuana arrests in America confirms three key points: A) Weed arrests are overwhelmingly racially biased; B) Weed arrests consume an insanely large amount of money and resources; and C) Weed needs to be legalized, ASAP.

Former Instructor Gets Jail as New Assault Charges Hit Naval Academy

Cord Jefferson · 06/03/13 08:52PM

Marine Major Mark Thompson, a former U.S. Naval Academy instructor, was sentenced to 60 days in jail and a $60,000 fine after being convicted last week of committing indecent acts, fraternization, and conduct unbecoming an officer. Thompson's crimes are related to a 2011 incident in which two female midshipmen accompanied Thompson to his home after drinking alcohol and attending a croquet match between the academy and St. John's College. One of the women would later say Thompson assaulted her.

Cord Jefferson · 06/03/13 12:51PM

The Supreme Court ruled today that cops may take D.N.A. from people arrested—but not convicted—for serious crimes. Even Scalia thinks this is some bullshit: "Because of today’s decision, your D.N.A. can be taken and entered into a national database if you are ever arrested, rightly or wrongly, and for whatever reason."

The Story of One Prison Rape, In an Inmate's Own Words

Hamilton Nolan · 05/30/13 12:40PM

Today, the ACLU announced that it is filing a federal lawsuit on behalf of prisoners at the East Mississippi Correctional Facility, a private prison in Meridian, Mississippi. The suit alleges that EMCF is "hyper-violent, grotesquely filthy and dangerous." One example of the jail's dangers: this handwritten letter from an inmate describing his own rape.

Hamilton Nolan · 05/30/13 08:11AM

Taking selfies got this teenager arrested. We can only hope this marks the start of a trend.