Seattle is vacating hundreds of misdemeanor marijuana convictions that occurred prior to the State of Washington legalizing recreational marijuana in 2012. The municipal court is vacating all misdemeanor marijuana convictions prosecuted by the Seattle City Attorney since 1996, when the city first took over prosecutions from the county. Because the conduct related to the convictions… Read more »
Negative correlation between police revenue collection and solving crime
Calling onto question the use of law enforcement time and resources, a recent study found a negative correlation between the collection of police revenue (e.g. fines, fees, and asset forfeitures) by law enforcement and its ability of solving crime. Additionally, a 2015 study by the Department of Justice found that the Ferguson Police Department prioritized… Read more »
New MN Public Safety Law Expands Firearm Prohibitions
On Friday, May 9, 2014, Governor Mark Dayton signed a new public safety bill into law that affects the firearm rights of some individuals in Minnesota. Child Protection: On July 1, 2014, the new law will allow judges in child protection proceedings to prohibit the possession of firearms of a party who is a “credible… Read more »
New MN DWI Law Prohibits Operation of Snowmobiles, ATVs, and Motorboats
In addition to the loss of a driver’s license, a new law in Minnesota prohibits those convicted of driving while intoxicated (DWI) or operating a snowmobile, motorboat, or ATV from operating those motorized machines. A DWIor boating while intoxicated (BWI) conviction now prohibits the operation of a motorboat between May 1 and October 31 for… Read more »
New MN Law Outlaws Fake Service Animals
As of August 1, 2018, it against the law in Minnesota to use fake service animals. The new offense makes it unlawful to to intentionally misrepresent an animal as a service animal in an attempt to receive the same rights and privileges as someone who qualifies as disabled under the law and needs a service… Read more »
MN Senate Repeals Sunday Liquor Sale Ban
Passed by the House last week, the Minnesota Senate passed a a similar bill today repealing the ban on Sunday liquor sales. The Senate’s bill will now be sent back to the MN House of Representatives. to address the difference in Sunday opening hours for liquor stores with H.F. 30. If there is agreement, the… Read more »
Proposed Change to Federal Marijuana Laws
A bill introduced in the US House of Representatives seeks to amend the Controlled Substances Act by deferring enforcement to the States and their respective marijuana laws. Authored by Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, of California, the bill called the “Respect State Marijuana Laws Act of 2017” has the support of 12 other representatives. The proposed change… Read more »
Chicago Gun Range Restrictions Violate 2nd Amendment
The 7th District Federal Court of Appeals ruled that age and zoning restrictions placed on gun ranges in the City Chicago violates the 2nd Amendment by being overly broad. Chicago city ordinances had prohibited anyone under 18 years-old from entering a gun range in the city. Additionally, gun ranges were only allowed in manufacturing districts… Read more »
20,000 Drug Cases Reviewed After Chemist Faked Tests
Today the Massachusetts’ highest court ordered prosecutors to review over 20,000 controlled substance cases involving Annie Dookham, a former state chemist. Back in 2013, Ms. Dookhan pleaded guilty to 17 counts of Obstruction of Justice, 8 counts of Tampering with Evidence, Perjury, and Falsely Pretending to Hold a Degree from a College or University. Ms…. Read more »
208 mph in a 2011 Mustang?
A man in Oklahoma was recently arrested and charged with reckless driving and attempting to elude law enforcement. The man allegedly turned off his headlights after an Oklahoma State Trooper attempted to stop him. Law enforcement further alleges the man reached speeds of 208 miles per hour in his 2011 Ford Mustang before the law… Read more »