Federal judge says no Fourth Amendment for computers connected to the Internet

Here are the latest posts from The Washington Posts ‘The Watch’.

Afternoon links: Federal judge says no Fourth Amendment for computers connected to the Internet

Federal judge says there’s no right to privacy on a computer that’s connected to the Internet, apparently because computers sometimes get hacked. Today in the militarization of everything: “Yet, research uncovered a multi-million-dollar program for HHS ‘Office of Inspector General Special Agents’ that used a sophisticated military-style weapons platform with Special Forces contractors training the agents […]

In Alabama death penalty cases, judges’ opinions are routinely written by prosecutors
We have long been assured that state governments treat the death penalty with the utmost reverence and solemnity. There are lots of checks and balances to prevent the execution of innocent people. Prosecutors are extra careful to dot every “i” and cross every “t.” Judges provide extra scrutiny. Appeals courts carefully review jury decisions. Defendants […]

Morning links: DOJ drops ‘drug trafficking’ case against FedEx

The Justice Department dumps dumb “drug trafficking” charges against FedEx. This trend in which the government demands private companies carry out law enforcement operations — sometimes under threat of criminal sanctions — is getting more and more disturbing. Supreme Court delivers another critical blow to the Fourth Amendment. And J Sonia Sotomayor (read her dissent) […]

Guest post: The ‘low-hanging fruit’ of police reform
A little more than a year ago, my colleagues and I started the StreetCred Police Killings In Context data project. There were already several projects tracking police shootings, including Fatal Encounters, and new projects at The Washington Post and the Guardian. But we felt that they left out crucial context. Why did the police become involved in these […]

Afternoon links: House tries to override Obama restrictions on military giveaways to police departments

House votes to block Obama’s plan to limit the transfer of military equipment from the Pentagon to domestic police agencies. Happy 50th birthday, Miranda. You have the right to eat cake. Judge rules that Pennsylvania prosecutor’s misconduct is so egregious that to retry defendants would violate double jeopardy clause. Donald Trump wants America to become a […]

The Orlando shooting was not a vindication of police militarization

In the few days since the horrific mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, a number of pundits and law enforcement officials have cited the incident and the ensuing police response as vindication for the idea that we need to further militarize the United States’ police forces. Or more to the point, they’re citing Orlando as proof that […]

Lunch links: On judges, empathy and the Brock Turner case

Recordings show Georgia judge to be chummy with prosecutors, including discussing strategy and offering ex parte opinions on pending cases. U.S. Supreme Court rules that a Pennsylvania Supreme Court justice can’t sit in judgment of a death penalty case he helped prosecute. Ninth Circuit rules that there’s no Second Amendment right to concealed carry. Deputies […]

New frontiers in asset forfeiture
While much of the progress on criminal justice reform has stalled in recent months, there has been quite a bit of progress on civil asset forfeiture. Several states have continued to put curbs on abuses. New Mexico, Montana and New Hampshire recently passed laws requiring a conviction before property can be forfeited. (Although at least […]

Afternoon links: The outrageous conviction of a Black Lives Matter activist for ‘attempted lynching’

A Black Lives Matter activist has been convicted of “attempted lynching” for attempting to pull a fellow protester away from an arrest. I hope it’s utterly clear why this is an absurd and outrageous abuse of power by the prosecutors in Pasadena. It’s also another indictment of vaguely written laws. A New Mexico judge confirms that […]

Can South Carolina’s police culture be fixed?

When Levar Jones settled with the state of South Carolina in October 2014, the amount seemed surprisingly low — less than $300,000. Jones was shot at four times by state Highway Patrol officer Sean Groubert five months earlier during a traffic stop for a seatbelt violation. Dash-cam video from Groubert’s patrol car showed no provocation […]

The South Carolina police files: Gunslinging raids, coverups and magical dog sniffs

Jonny McCoy didn’t intend to practice criminal law. “I wanted to be like Tom Cruise in ‘The Firm,’ ” says the Myrtle Beach, S.C.,-based attorney. “I was chasing all that company money.” That all changed in October 2009 when he spotted three Columbia, S.C., police officers roughing up his friend Keith McAllister outside a bar in […]

Morning links: Less than 1 percent of Chicago arrestees see an attorney

Less than 1 percent of people arrested in Chicago see an attorney while they’re in police custody. Federal judge sentences felony drug offender to probation, writes poignant opinion about unnecessarily harsh consequences of felony convictions. Homeland secured! Homeland extra secured! Cowardly politicians still oppose sensible reforms out of fear of being labeled “soft on crime.” How a […]

Once again, body cameras are only as good as the policies that come with them