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This new Washington Post piece reporting on today's turkey pardon ceremony at the White House includes a little political gravy, along with an explanation for the names of the birds. Here is how the piece starts: “They tell me there’s... Douglas A. Berman Clemency and Pardons Sentences Reconsidered Who Sentences

The Supreme Court this morning issued this order list that concludes with an interesting Statement by Justice Sotomayor joined by Justice Gorsuch respecting the denial of certiorari in a case from the Fifth Circuit, Baker v. City of McKinney. Though... Douglas A. Berman Procedure and Proof at Sentencing

The title of this post is the title of this new paper authored by Kevin Lapp recently posted to SSRN. Here is its abstract: On January 6, 2021, an estimated two thousand people broke police lines and breached the U.S.... Douglas A. Berman Data on sentencing Offender Characteristics Offense Characteristics Who Sentences

In this post a couple of years ago, I noted the launch of the Plea Bargaining Institute (PBI) which aspired to "provide a global intellectual home for academics, policymakers, advocacy organizations and practitioners working in the plea bargaining space." One... Douglas A. Berman Procedure and Proof at Sentencing Who Sentences

As detailed in this lengthy local story, "Alabama executed Carey Dale Grayson for the 1994 brutal slaying and mutilation of a hitchhiker in Jefferson County on Thursday evening, making it the state’s sixth execution in 2024." Here are some details:... Douglas A. Berman Baze and Glossip lethal injection cases Death Penalty Reforms

As reported in this AP piece, "President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday named Pam Bondi, the former attorney general of Florida, to be U.S. attorney general just hours after his other choice, Matt Gaetz, withdrew his name from consideration." Here is... Douglas A. Berman Criminal justice in the Trump Administration Who Sentences

The title of this post is the title of this paper authored by Paul Cassell just posted to SSRN. Here is its abstract: What role should mercy play in the criminal justice system? While several of the other symposium’s articles... Douglas A. Berman Procedure and Proof at Sentencing Victims' Rights At Sentencing Who Sentences

Yesterday brought not only a quick conviction, but also a quick sentencing to LWOP, in the Georgia state bench trial of the man who brutally murdered Laken Riley. This AP story provides some basics: The Venezuelan man convicted of killing... Douglas A. Berman Death Penalty Reforms Procedure and Proof at Sentencing Who Sentences

This CBS News piece reports on a high-profile murderer being denied her bid for parole today after having served 30 years in prison. Here are the basics: A parole board decided unanimously Wednesday that Susan Smith should remain in prison,... Douglas A. Berman Celebrity sentencings Sentences Reconsidered Who Sentences

I received an email this morning flagging that "the Council on Criminal Justice (CCJ) today released a new report on shoplifting that examines trends through fall of this year and highlights a conflict in two sources of FBI data on... Douglas A. Berman National and State Crime Data

The Washington Post has this lengthy new article discussing the state of capital punishment administration and death rows in the US. The piece's full headline previews its themes: "Between Life and Death: More than 2,100 people sit on American death... Douglas A. Berman Death Penalty Reforms

With thanks to some readers for flagging some of these pieces, I have seen in recent days an array of stories regarding an array of ugly realities in the federal prison system. A round-up: From The Christian Post, "Federal prisons... Douglas A. Berman Prisons and prisoners

As reported in this Fox News article, California's Gov has made a non-decision concerning the clemency requests from the Menedez brothers: "Gavin Newsom has reached a decision on a pair of clemency requests for Erik and Joseph 'Lyle' Menendez, the... Douglas A. Berman Clemency and Pardons Procedure and Proof at Sentencing Sentences Reconsidered Who Sentences