Criminal record

A visitor takes a picture with his mobile phone of an image designed with artificial intelligence inspired by Johannes Vermeer’s painting “Girl With a Pearl Earring.”

Truth in the Age of the Deepfake Truth in the Age of the Deepfake

Could our interest in true-crime podcasts and celebrity biopics be telling us something about our collective discomfort with faking it?

Jun 2, 2023 / Highlights / Marianela D’Aprile

Bob Frese

Arresting Criticism: When Complaining About a Public Official Can Land You in Jail Arresting Criticism: When Complaining About a Public Official Can Land You in Jail

Criminal defamation laws are relics of a bygone age.

May 1, 2023 / David Cole and Brian Hauss

Biden Just Made Marijuana Reform a Major 2022 Issue. Democrats Should Run With It.

Biden Just Made Marijuana Reform a Major 2022 Issue. Democrats Should Run With It. Biden Just Made Marijuana Reform a Major 2022 Issue. Democrats Should Run With It.

Voters of all backgrounds support pardoning Americans with federal convictions for marijuana possession.

Oct 7, 2022 / John Nichols

David Gilbert

David Gilbert Should Be Free David Gilbert Should Be Free

Given his perfect 40-year record, denial by the Parole Board would signal that prison is just about punishment and revenge.

Sep 13, 2021 / John Mage

Angola

The Prisoners Who Were Convicted by Hung Juries The Prisoners Who Were Convicted by Hung Juries

In Louisiana, at least 1,601 people are still incarcerated on the basis of a Jim Crow–era law allowing for conviction by a nonunanimous verdict.

Oct 8, 2020 / Zoé Chevalier

Maya Moore for the Win

Maya Moore for the Win Maya Moore for the Win

Jonathan Irons finally walks free thanks to the efforts of the all-time basketball great.

Jul 2, 2020 / Dave Zirin

Tennessee’s Chemical Castration Bill Shows Local Republicans Have One Thing on Their Minds

Tennessee’s Chemical Castration Bill Shows Local Republicans Have One Thing on Their Minds Tennessee’s Chemical Castration Bill Shows Local Republicans Have One Thing on Their Minds

“It's a return, if you will, to the dark ages,” one civil rights advocate says.

Jan 29, 2020 / Jennifer Bernstein

Bail Out

The TV Series Derailing Bail Reform in New Orleans The TV Series Derailing Bail Reform in New Orleans

The tough-on-crime spin is undercutting the hard work of activists and criminal justice experts in the city.

Mar 14, 2019 / Emmeline Clein

21 Savage

21 Savage Is Every Immigrant 21 Savage Is Every Immigrant

The rapper’s dramatic arrest is typical of ICE’s race-baiting and fear-mongering.

Feb 7, 2019 / Chris Gelardi

Wesley Bell St. Louis Prosecutor Candidate

Will Justice Ever Come to Ferguson, Missouri? Will Justice Ever Come to Ferguson, Missouri?

A Q&A with Wesley Bell, who is pitching himself as the criminal-justice reformer St. Louis County needs.

Aug 2, 2018 / Jessica Pishko

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