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5 billion people around the world lack basic access to justice. These organizations are out to change that.

Alessandra Bergamin

January 09, 2020 |

Ensia |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Peru, Pisco

Microjustice4All, an international legal empowerment organization, provides people in vulnerable communities with legal aid, especially after environmental crises. Another global organization, Namati, trains local paralegals so that they may help their communities in legal issues. This sort of legal empowerment has taken hold on a global scale, with the overarching goal of building power through law and environmental justice – especially as climate change affects the most marginalized populations.

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Prosecution Declined

Eleanor Klibanoff

December 05, 2019 |

Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Louisville, Kentucky

The way in which Kentucky’s Louisville Metro Police Department handles rape cases has come into question. The department’s low level of cases being brought to trial is because of the extra step police officers take: checking with prosecutors to see if they’ll take the case to court. If prosecutors won’t, the police don’t make arrests. The policy is justified as victim-centered. But experts say this, combined with other problematic practices by the LMPD, can leave survivors feeling as though they aren’t believed and alone with their trauma.

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Pennsylvania will no longer hold death-row prisoners in endless solitary confinement

Samantha Melamed

November 18, 2019 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Pennsylvania

Following an ACLU-led civil-rights lawsuit, the Pennsylvania Department of Correction has implemented huge changes to the treatment of death row inmates. In prisons across the state, individuals who have been sentenced to death no longer have to undergo strip searches, are allowed to have contact visitations with family and friends, can apply for prison employment, and socialize with others in their unit.

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Court Order Would Allow Abuse Victims to Testify by Video. Will Attorneys Object?

Whitney Bryen

November 08, 2019 |

Oklahoma Watch |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

The Oklahoma Supreme Court has given judges the option to allow victims of abuse to testify via video rather than in person. When victims must testify in person, they may suffer re-traumatization or might simply not show up in court. Advocates say the video option allows victims to seek justice while not having to face their abuser. However, some judges may refuse to grant this option on due process grounds.

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On One Issue, Americans Are United. Too Many Are Behind Bars.

Tina Rosenberg

October 30, 2019 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Washington, District of Columbia

In such a divided country, many groups from lawmakers to advocacy groups are finding rare bipartisan cooperation around the issue of criminal justice reform. Two congressional representatives, one Republican and one Democrat, have found common ground, as well as the Justice Action Network, which forms bipartisan coalitions, one of which was instrumental in passing the First Step Act.

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Finding Home: When Eviction Looms, Landlords Have Lawyers. Now More Tenants Do, Too.

Mary Newsom

September 30, 2019 |

WFAE |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Charlotte, North Carolina

In North Carolina’s Mecklenburg County, they’ve allocated funding for tenants to have access to free legal aid, provided by Legal Aid of North Carolina, in their eviction cases. With eviction often being the start of a downward spiral, having legal representation can help people prevent or delay their evictions. Beyond funding some legal aid, the courthouse also provides residents with information about evictions and their specialty eviction court.

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Where Texting Brings People to Court

Jenny Casas

September 09, 2019 |

70 Million |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, West Palm Beach, Florida

In Palm Beach County, an automated system sends text-message reminders, instead of just postal mail notices, to people with upcoming court dates. About 14% of those jailed in the county were there on warrants for failure to appear in court, placing a burden both on the system and on people's disrupted lives. Since the system was started, warrants for failure to appear are down by more than half, although other factors are also at play. At the very least, every court appearance someone makes is one less public cost and private hassle.

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Muslims bailout fund raises nearly $150,000 to reunite migrant families

Aysha Khan

August 28, 2019 |

Religion News Service |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States

A campaign called Muslims for Migrants by the Islamic nonprofit CelebrateMercy raises money to pay bond fees for immigrant parents who are detained while awaiting trial. The funds are donated to another nonprofit called the National Bail Fund Network, and so far the funds have released ten parents back to their families. The director of CelebrateMercy says that the forced separation of families is against everything taught by the Prophet Muhammad and the Islamic faith.

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A Unique Military Program Helps Sexual Assault Survivors. But Not All of Them.

Joseph Darius Jaafari

July 30, 2019 |

The Marshall Project |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Washington, District of Columbia

Members of the military who are survivors of sexual assault have access to special victims’ counsels to help guide and protect them throughout the legal process. The efforts are still young, and with that comes issues of ill-trained or over-worked legal representation – a criticism that has been made known by advocates. Furthermore, while the existence of such assistance is extremely beneficial to military personnel, the same sort of protection and support isn’t available to civilians who are alleging violent crimes against military members.

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In an Apparent First, Genetic Genealogy Aids a Wrongful Conviction Case

Mia Armstrong

July 16, 2019 |

The Marshall Project |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Idaho

The use of genetic genealogy technology has given law enforcement the opportunity to compare DNA that people have tested personally through companies like 23andMe to DNA collected at crime scenes. Recently being used to help free people from prison who have been wrongfully convicted, the technology gives law enforcement insight as to the family tree the DNA is connected to. While showing potential, it has also raised concerns around genetic data privacy, with many companies now requiring permission from users.

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