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Mississippi Approves SB 2469 The MISSISSIPPI Senate approves SB 2469 , so-called “blue lives matter” legislation that makes it a hate crime to target someone for a crime solely because they are a law enforcement officer, firefighter or emergency medical technician. The measure moves to...

Crime In Maryland The MARYLAND Court of Appeals unanimously rules that Old Line State judges and court commissioners should look first to ways other than bail to ensure a defendant appears for trial. The seven-member court’s ruling was a compromise with advocates that sought to abolish the cash...

South Dakota Rejects HB 1099 The SOUTH DAKOTA House State Affairs Committee rejects HB 1099 , legislation that would have eliminated the possibility of the death penalty for severely mentally ill offenders (ARGUS LEADER [SIOUX FALLS]). Kentucky Approves HB 14 The KENTUCKY House approves HB 14...

Virginia Approves SB 1091 The VIRGINIA Assembly and Senate approve SB 1091 , which would abolish an Old Dominion law that mandates a person automatically lose their driver’s license for six months for a minor marijuana conviction. The measure moves to Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) for consideration...

US Supreme Court Rules Overturn Colorado Supreme Court Ruling The United States Supreme Court rules that reports of racist comments by jurors may require setting aside a verdict and holding a new trial. The ruling overturns a COLORADO Supreme Court ruling that upheld the conviction of a man on sexual...

New Mexico Approves HB 175 The NEW MEXICO House approves HB 175 , a bill that would prohibit solitary confinement for inmates who are pregnant or under 18 years old. It is now in the Senate (ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL). Mississippi Signs HB 812 MISSISSIPPI Gov. Phil Bryant (R) signs HB 812 , a civil...

Mississippi Lawmakers Approve HB 638 Lawmakers in MISSISSIPPI give final approval to HB 638 , which would allow authorities to use a firing squad to carry out executions. The measure is now with Gov. Phil Bryant (R), who has indicated he will sign it (JACKSON CLARION-LEDGER). Kentucky Governor...

Alabama Approves HB 36 The ALABAMA House approves HB 36 , which would extend the Heart of Dixie’s so-called “stand your ground” law, which allows people to use deadly force to defend themselves, to include churches. It moves to the Senate (DECATUR DAILY). Texas Approves HB 1729...

Texas Approves HB 281 The TEXAS House approves HB 281 , which would create a statewide database for DNA evidence from sexual assault. It moves to the Senate (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN). Iowa Approves SB 444 The IOWA Senate gives final approval to SB 444 , which would require Hawkeye State drivers...

Crime In Colorado The United States Supreme Court rules that people freed from prison when their convictions are reversed deserve a refund of what they paid in fees, court costs and restitution. The ruling also orders COLORADO to refund several thousand dollars to two defendants, a woman and a man...

Crime In Wisconsin A federal judge in WISCONSIN rules that the Badger State’s so-called “cocaine mom” law, which allows adult pregnant women suspected of current or past drug or alcohol use that could affect their fetus be held in secure custody and subjected to involuntary medical...

Crime In New York The NEW YORK State Court of Appeals unanimously upholds a policy implemented by the administration of Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) that allows the state Department of Motor Vehicles to permanently revoke driving privileges for repeat drunk drivers (ALBANY TIMES-UNION). Vermont Approves...

California Approves SB 439 The CALIFORNIA Senate approves SB 439 , which would ensure that counties treat juvenile offenders 11 or younger in the child services system instead of the juvenile courts. It moves to the Assembly (ASSOCIATED PRESS). Texas Approves SB 12 The TEXAS House approves SB...

Crime In California The U.S. Supreme Court rules that police cannot be held liable for injuries they caused as part of a search unless the search itself is “unreasonable.” The decision overturns a lower court’s ruling in a CALIFORNIA case (GOVERNING). Vermont Vetoes SB 22 VERMONT...

Colorado Signs HB 1035 COLORADO Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) signs HB 1035 , which allows sexual assault and stalking victims to break a residential lease to better elude their tormentors (DENVER POST).

Nevada Gov Vetoes AB303 & AB259 Citing his belief that the bill infringed upon executive branch authority, NEVADA Gov. Brian Sandoval (R) vetoes AB 303 , which would have barred the Silver State from utilizing private prisons (LAS VEGAS SUN). Also in NEVADA , Gov. Sandoval vetoes AB 259 - which...

Pennsylvania Approves HB 1238 The PENNSYLVANIA House approves HB 1238 , which allows for someone to be charged with felony animal abuse for activities beyond killing an endangered species or fostering an animal fighting ring (LANCASTERONLINE). Crime In Missouri The MISSOURI Supreme Court upholds...

Crime In Florida A FLORIDA court rules that an expansion of the Sunshine State’s “stand your ground” law is unconstitutional. Circuit Judge Milton Hirsch said lawmakers overstepped their authority in requiring prosecutors to disprove a defendant’s self-defense claim at a pre...

Crime In Florida Corrections officials in FLORIDA agree to settle a lawsuit that accused the Sunshine State of discriminating against deaf and disabled prisoners. Tenets in the resolution include the state agreeing to provide sign-language interpreters for deaf prisoners and to remove architectural...

New Hampshire Signs HB 640 NEW HAMPSHIRE Gov. Chris Sununu (R) signs HB 640 , legislation that eliminates criminal penalties for possession of three quarters of an ounce or less of marijuana (NEW HAMPSHIRE UNION LEADER [MANCHESTER]).

New York Signs AB 2806 NEW YORK Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) signs AB 2806 , which adds the act of animal fighting to offenses which allow authorities to obtain an eavesdropping or video surveillance warrant (LONGISLAND.COM). North Carolina Signs HB 128 NORTH CAROLINA Gov. Roy Cooper (D) signs HB 128...

California Signs SB 725 CALIFORNIA Gov. Jerry Brown (D) signs SB 725 , which clarifies that current and former military members who suffer from service-related mental health issues may be diverted to a treatment court in lieu of jail when charged with driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol...

Crime In Florida A FLORIDA court rules that lawmakers overstepped their authority when they endorsed legislation broadening the Sunshine State’s “stand your ground” law that allows residents to use lethal force in self-defense. Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Alan Fine ruled that only the...

California Governor Signs Marijuana Bill Gov. Jerry Brown (D) signs a bill ( SB 65 ) banning the smoking of marijuana or ingestion of marijuana products while driving or riding in a vehicle, starting Jan. 1 when recreational pot becomes legal in the state. It was already against the law to drive under...

OH Attorney General Announces New Online Site OHIO Attorney General Mike DeWine (R) announces the creation of a free, online system will allow victims to anonymously check the status of their rape kits from the time they are collected at a medical facility and then sent to police, a lab for forensic...