By: Robert Bryson In the United States, bail refers to a system wherein a suspect is conditionally released from custody upon the surrender of payment of money or pledge of property to the court. The funds are then refunded when the suspect returns to court for their trial. If the suspect fails to return, the … Continue reading California Ends Cash Money Bail System: Ends a Pay-to-Play System of Justice
Justice
PIAC’s Supreme Court Review: Epic Systems Corp. v. Lewis
By: Ken Jensen “[A]s matter of law the answer is clear. In the Federal Arbitration Act, Congress has instructed federal courts to enforce arbitration agreements according to their terms—including terms providing for individualized proceedings.” Epic Sys. Corp. v. Lewis, 138 S. Ct. 1612, 1619 (2018) The Supreme Court thus continued to enforce arbitration agreements consistent … Continue reading PIAC’s Supreme Court Review: Epic Systems Corp. v. Lewis
Supreme Court Promotes a Double Standard for Religious Animus: Muslims to Christians
By: Ridgeway Woulfe Last week, we explored the double standard the Supreme Court created by its Masterpiece Cake and its decision to uphold Trump’s nation-based immigration ban (apparently not a Muslim ban, as he routinely stated). In Masterpiece Cake, the Supreme Court held that a Commission’s animus toward a Christian baker was enough to find … Continue reading Supreme Court Promotes a Double Standard for Religious Animus: Muslims to Christians
PIAC’s Supreme Court Review: Masterpiece Cake, Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Comm’n.
By: Ken Jensen After reading the Court’s opinion in Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Comm'n, 138 S. Ct. 1719 (2018), I am struck with how our society is still confused with respect to sexual orientation. The Court struck down the Colorado Civil Rights Commission’s actions to assess a cakeshop owner’s reasons for declining … Continue reading PIAC’s Supreme Court Review: Masterpiece Cake, Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Comm’n.
Counterpoint: Jerry Brown Denies Parole to Leslie Van Houten, Charles Manson Follower and Convicted Murder Shows Some Crimes Cannot Be Redeemed and Not Everyone is Eligible for Parole
By: Robert Bryson Perhaps one of the biggest misconceptions surrounding California policies is that it is always progressive, it is always a leader, an example for the rest of the country and the world. But, that simply isn’t true. California is as much the founder of voluntary workers’ compensation in the United States as it … Continue reading Counterpoint: Jerry Brown Denies Parole to Leslie Van Houten, Charles Manson Follower and Convicted Murder Shows Some Crimes Cannot Be Redeemed and Not Everyone is Eligible for Parole
Point: Governor Jerry Brown’s Denial of Parole to Leslie Van Houten, Charles Manson Follower and Convicted Murderer, Shows the Limits California’s Progressive Approach to Criminal Justice
By: Ridgeway Woulfe On January 19, 2018, California Governor Jerry Brown denied parole to 68-year-old Leslie Van Houten, marking the second time he has done so despite the state’s parole panel recommending release both times. Van Houten has been, and now continues to serve a life sentence for murders she committed when she was 19 … Continue reading Point: Governor Jerry Brown’s Denial of Parole to Leslie Van Houten, Charles Manson Follower and Convicted Murderer, Shows the Limits California’s Progressive Approach to Criminal Justice
Book Review: Nicholas Wolterstoff’s Justice: Rights and Wrongs
By: Ken Jensen For those interested in developing a clearer understanding of underlying philosophical or even theological basis for justice work, philosopher Nicholas Wolterstorff’s work is engaging. His thesis in Justice: Rights and Wrongs (Princeton University Press, 2010) and the follow-up Justice in Love (Eerdmans, 2015) is that justice is about inherent rights – the … Continue reading Book Review: Nicholas Wolterstoff’s Justice: Rights and Wrongs
Public Interest Advocacy Collaborative 