Alexa Askari

Dec 13, 2023 | statecourtreport.org | Kyle C. Barry |Kathrina Szymborski Wolfkot |Oded Oren |Alexa Askari

Courts should consider prison conditions and collateral consequences — not just prison time — when reviewing whether punishment is excessive under state constitutions. A version of this article first appeared in the Behind The Bench Newsletter, publication by the State Law Research Initiative about state supreme courts, constitutions, and how they shape criminal legal systems.

Nov 22, 2023 | statecourtreport.org | Alexa Askari |Janet Hoeffel |Douglas Keith |Rex Bossert

Individuals in the U.S. Virgin Islands facing criminal charges often wait years for their case to come before a jury. This is due to many factors, including difficulty selecting an unbiased jury, the small number of public defenders in the territory, and the process by which cases are passed around should a public defender be unable to take a case. Yet the Virgin Islands Supreme Court has never found a violation of the U.S. Constitution’s guarantee of a speedy trial.

Jul 25, 2023 | statecourtreport.org | Oded Oren |Alexa Askari |Janet Hoeffel |Douglas Keith

This fall, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court will hear arguments on whether state lawmakers can impeach Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, who is accused of “misbehavior in office” for pursuing various criminal justice reform policies.

Jun 7, 2023 | statecourtreport.org | Kathrina Szymborski Wolfkot |Oded Oren |Alexa Askari |Janet Hoeffel

A version of this article was originally published in State Court Report on June 7, 2023. This version is updated to include developments in the U.S. Supreme Court. Of all the unjust features of our criminal legal system, one is particularly shocking: you can serve prison time for charges of which you were acquitted. This is exactly what happened to 17-year-old Daytona McClinton.