Insights and Ideas into Ohio Criminal Case Defense Strategy

USING DNA TO SKETCH WHAT VICTIMS LOOK LIKE; SOME CALL IT SCIENCE FICTION

But critics say the company is promising more than science has determined it can deliver. Dr. Yaniv Erlich, a computer science professor at Columbia University who studies genetics, said the idea that phenotyping could meaningfully predict something as complex as individual looks is “on the verge of science fiction.”

CAN COPS FORCE YOU TO UNLOCK YOUR PHONE WITH YOUR FACE?

Could officers force someone they’ve arrested to look into their phone to unlock it?

THESE BUGS ARE THE MOST GRUESOME CLUES IN FORENSIC SCIENCE

Bodies are ripe “to be colonized by plants and animals,” Goff wrote, like volcanic islands freshly erupted from the sea.

THE TROUBLE WITH DOUBLE JEOPARDY-ONE OF THE MOST MISUNDERSTOOD CONCEPTS

Double jeopardy cases try to make sense out of the jury system—which often makes no sense.

WHY POOR, LOW-LEVEL OFFENDERS OFTEN PLEAD TO WORSE CRIMES

A study of the impact of bail fees concluded that “those who can’t afford bail are 13 percent more likely to be convicted and will receive incarceration sentences that are on average five months longer.

FORMER COPS HEADED TO PRISON FOR FALSE POLICE REPORTS

Both officers were convicted by a jury of making false statements in police reports, after cruiser video obtained by the man's defense counsel were turned over to the prosecution.

PEOPLE CAN BE CONVINCED THEY COMMITTED A NON-EXISTENT CRIME IN JUST 3 HOURS

New research has shown that over the course of just a few hours, innocent adults can be convinced that they committed a crime, even if that crime was completely made up

MAN IS RELEASED FROM PRISON AFTER 15 YEARS WHEN DNA TESTING POINTS FINGER AT HIS BROTHER

After serving more than 15 years in prison for the slaying of his teenage sister-in-law, a Kansas man was freed Tuesday because recent DNA testing pointed the finger at his brother.

THE AGE OF 'PRE-CRIME' HAS ARRIVED

Los Angeles is considering sending “Dear John” letters to the homes of men who solicit prostitutes hoping the mail will be opened by mothers, girlfriends or wives.

HOW CAMPUSES DEAL WITH SEXUAL ASSAULT

Judges across country overturning university decisions that punish men accused of sexual assault

VIDEO OF AN ARREST IN SAN FRANCISCO TRIGGERS INVESTIGATIONS INTO DEPUTIES' USE OF FORCE

The video footage is grainy, but the violence is clearly visible: When sheriff’s deputies catch the suspect fleeing down a San Francisco street, they tackle him, then begin hitting him. First, they use fists, then batons, swinging the clubs down with both hands as the man lies on the ground, moaning.

FBI ABANDONS CONTROVERSIAL BULLET-MATCHING TECHNIQUE

The FBI said Thursday that it had discontinued the use of bullet-lead matching, a forensic technique used for at least 25 years that had been heavily criticized as inaccurate and misleading.

HOW CALIFORNIA COPS ARE USING MOBILE FINGERPRINTING AND FACIAL RECOGNITION DEVICES

Police departments in California are identifying suspects using mobile biometric devices that scan fingerprints, faces and even tattoos.

'THE BOX,' AND OTHER 'COLLATERAL' CONSEQUENCES OF CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS

President Obama recently announced the introduction of a "Ban the Box" policy for federal employers. Like similar measures adopted in some states, this policy will prevent employers from asking applicants about their criminal histories at the outset of the application process (although they can still ask such questions before finalizing a hiring decision).

DOES THE FOURTH AMENDMENT TRUMP YOUR LOCKED SMARTPHONE?

Because of recent updates to the encryption on Google and Apple software, newly updated Androids and iPhones no longer can be unlocked -- even if law enforcement officers have a warrant.

DOJ OPENS CIVIL RIGHTS PROBE INTO S.C. CLASSROOM ARREST

The Department of Justice announced Tuesday it had launched an investigation into possible civil rights violations of a violent arrest in a South Carolina classroom that was caught on video and his since gone viral.

SUPREME COURT CONSIDERS FLORIDA'S ADVISORY DEATH PENALTY SYSTEM, JUVENILE SENTENCING

Supreme Court justices expressed skepticism about Florida’s advisory system for determining capital punishment as they heard oral arguments in two sentencing cases on Tuesday.

GROUPS WANT LAWMAKERS TO STOP CREATING NEW CRIMES, ADDING CRIMINAL SENTENCES

Legislators are undermining efforts to reform sentencing laws and decrease prison and jail populations by continuing to introduce bills creating new crimes and enhancing prison sentences, critics said.

OHIO AMENDMENT WOULD MAKE CYBER THREATS ILLEGAL

The Ohio House of Representatives passed an amendment to a law that would broaden the offense of harassment.

HIDDEN GPS DEVICES TO TRACK SUSPECTS RAISE LEGAL CONCERNS

Tiny satellite-connected devices — embedded by the manufacturer or slipped by police into stacks of cash, pill bottles or other commonly stolen items — are raising questions from legal experts over what they see as the potential for abuse by law enforcement authorities.

77% OF PRISONERS IN DOJ RECIDIVISM STUDY WERE REARRESTED WITHIN 5 YEARS

The Department of Justice released its largest-ever study of recidivism rates across state lines today.

WEBSITE PRESENTS FACTS ON JUDICIAL CANDIDATES

The Ohio Supreme Court and partner organizations launched a website this month aimed at making voters more aware of the courts and who is running for judge.

$19.3M IN GRANTS WILL GO TOWARDS BODY CAMERAS FOR POLICE, DOJ ANNOUNCES

The U.S. Justice Department announced in a press release Monday that it has awarded $19.3 million in grants to 73 law enforcement and tribal agencies around the country for body cameras. The requests for grants still far exceeded expectations and funds available, the Associated Press reports.

SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT SET FOR TONIGHT IN NORTHWEST FRANKLIN COUNTY

The Franklin County DUI Task Force will have a sobriety checkpoint tonight in Perry Township.

STATEHOUSE LEADERS PUSH FOR SHORTER PRISON SENTENCES, REDUCING PRISON POPULATION

A sweeping reform of Ohio’s criminal-justice laws, potentially producing shorter sentences and fewer people going to prison for nonviolent drug crimes, has the backing of a diverse, bipartisan coalition.