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Pennsylvania's top court just made it way harder to sentence kids to life in prison

Samantha Melamed

June 26, 2017 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

To sentence a minor to life in prison without parole, prosecutors in Pennsylvania must now prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the minor is incapable of rehabilitation. The state supreme court ruling is meant to recognize most children’s impulsivity and their ability to change. The ruling is a significant step in Pennsylvania, which is home to the largest population of juvenile lifers in the nation.

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Hospitals Are Partnering With Lawyers To Treat Patients' Legal Needs

Michelle Andrews

June 06, 2017 |

NPR |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

Hospitals in Omaha are creating “medical-legal partnerships” for their patients: teams of doctors, social workers and lawyers that work collaboratively with patients to help them navigate challenges like fighting to get Medicaid coverage for a cat scan, or getting a security deposit back and moving out of an apartment that’s making them sicker.

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Protecting overdose witnesses with Good Samaritan Law

Zach Bourgeois

May 04, 2017 |

Temple University |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Camden, New Jersey

During a drug overdose, some people avoid calling for medical assistance because they fear arrest. Laws that protect callers can help, but even where those laws exist, many drug users and potential overdose witnesses don’t realize they are protected.

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Is This Tiny European Nation a Preview of Our Tech Future?

Vivienne Walt

April 27, 2017 |

Fortune |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: Estonia

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the small outpost of Estonia has reinvented itself as the world’s digital pioneer. Everything from paying taxes to establishing companies is done online and takes minutes. Lawmakers even sign legislation using digital signatures, not fountain pens.

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The Unsung Government Program That Gives Federal Property to the Homeless

Kriston Capps

April 27, 2017 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

Thirty years ago, the U.S. Congress created a process called Title V that requires excess federal land be offered to state and city governments and nonprofits for homeless services. Hampered by challenging obstacles throughout the process, only about 900 acres across the country have been converted to shelters and other facilities. Now streamlined and improved, Title V is poised to make a much greater impact.

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A day to expunge criminal records is hugely popular in Philly

Jane M. Von Bergen

November 11, 2016 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, people with certain types of misdemeanors can ask the courts to seal their records from public view. When this law was passed, a team of 175 lawyers, paralegals, and law students volunteered to help eligible people start the process of sealing their records. The event was a big hit with 1,853 people signing up for help, so many that registration had to close. Of the applicants, 1,200 will likely get their records sealed.

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UDC law students push for criminal justice reform

Peter Hermann

April 07, 2016 |

The Washington Post |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Washington, District of Columbia

The incarceration rate in the United States is one of the highest in the world, and it is paid for – heavily – by the tax payers. To combat this, students argue that more funding should go to supervised release instead of incarceration.

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Portugal: Drug Decriminalisation

Fi Glover Henrietta Moore Martha Lane Fox

February 17, 2016 |

BBC |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Portugal

By decriminalizing drug possession, Portugal removed a barrier preventing addicts from reaching out for help. The country treats drug use as a public health concern, offering free rehabilitation services and a needle exchange program. Although social taboos persist, drug-related deaths and HIV infection rates are at all-time lows.

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The Unlikely Rise of Restorative Justice in a Conservative Upstate New York County

Mark Obbie

December 29, 2015 |

Slate |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Batavia, New York

In a conservative upstate town in New York, an early advocate of what is now known as restorative justice pioneered the idea of finding alternatives to incarceration that address root causes of crimes and offer victims larger roles in the process. He did this by engaging different people across law enforcement, the community and social services. That built broad support, but the programs have struggled to maintain these innovations or make them permanent after the departure of the visionary founder.

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Berlin's New Rent Control Laws Are Already Working

Feargus O'Sullivan

July 09, 2015 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: Germany, Berlin

To address the increasing unaffordability of housing in Berlin, the city introduced a new rent control law to prevent rates from exponential growth. The city has also outlawed vacation rentals in certain zones of the city and created a program that aims to have 30,000 new rental properties available over the next decade.

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