Increasing Justice By Reforming Justice Courts
Some important changes are needed to Utah's justice courts.
Roadside traffic stop or fishing expedition?
The standard for conducting a roadside stop should be raised to prevent unintended biases in policing.
HB 79: Private Attorneys
This bill would allow the courts to consider a request for compensation in limited cases where private citizens have successfully defended the important rights of the public.
Changes Needed to Utah’s Domestic Violence Law as Part of Larger Mens Rea Reform
Earlier this week, we released a short video about the need to alter the current state statute on domestic violence. As it stands, the statute is a prime example of how too often the law does not judge a person’s intent,...
How Juries Can Refuse to Convict People for Breaking an Unjust Law
Editor’s note: The following is a lightly edited interview with Kirsten Tynan, executive director of the Fully Informed Jury Association. The organization works to informed potential jurors about the nature and importance of...
Police Officer Kills Sam DuBose, is Indicted for Murder—Because of a Body Camera
Last week, Sam DuBose was shot in the face and killed by a University of Cincinnati police officer, Ray Tensing, after being pulled over for not having a front license plate on his vehicle. Today, the officer was indicted for...
Dead Dogs and Dead Daughters: Is The Presumption of Innocence Gone?
“You guys killed my dog!” Utah resident Sean Kendall told several police officers. “I’ve had this dog for three years. He was my best friend—and he was shot because an officer couldn’t back the [expletive]...
Criminal Justice Reform Coming to Utah
In his 2014 State of the State Address, Utah Governor Gary Herbert said: Addressing population growth also involves improving our criminal justice system and providing structure for individuals to become productive members of...
Potential Court Reform in Utah
As we explained in our asset forfeiture policy analysis, “policing for profit” is a problematic element in law enforcement. Similarly, there is a concern that local justice courts in Utah can prosecute and adjudicate for profit...