Artwork stating 'Education Destroys Barriers', 'We Demand Treatment', and 'I Need A Chance'

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  • When mental illness leads to an arrest, this court steps in

    Non-violent offenders arrested during mental health episodes in Davidson County are sent to Mental Health Court rather than criminal court. Through this court, they are connected to safety net services such as housing, medication assistance, and therapy.

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  • Bail reforms moving slowly in Missouri

    Under a large grant St. Louis County is working to reduce jail confinements in the aftermath of the Michael Brown shooting, following several national models. There is also progress toward reducing fines and fees for small issues, with a focus on addressing racial disparities in arrests. But the efforts face challenges that include thousands of outstanding warrants under the old system and a shortage of public defenders.

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  • Why this couple's wedding registry was devoted to paying off Philly kids' court costs

    A couple created a nonprofit in Philadelphia to make micro grants for those who need small amounts to pay off medical bills or legal fees so they can move on with their lives. The effort garnered modest donations, including through their own wedding registry, and has made about 10 grants, but those have had significant impacts on recipients. The two acknowledge this is more like a bandaid, so they also partnered with a policy organization to work on wider systemic change.

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  • Community works to help children overcome trauma

    Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), have long-term effects on children as they grow up, and children with high ACEs scores often experience serious mental health problems. In Stark County, Ohio, the Stark County Family Council's Trauma and Resiliency Committee works with schools, educators, and children with ACEs to help lower suicide and crime rates among these adolescents.

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  • Youth prisons are standing empty, but are a huge opportunity

    Across the country municipalities are repurposing former juvenile detention centers as juvenile incarceration rates have declined and remaking them as places of healing. Each community is different in its approach, with some even knocking down the buildings to start anew, but the Urban Institute found that successful transitions had several core strategies in common, including seeking input from local community members and from those who had been incarcerated in the facilities.

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  • Shots Not Fired: A new Oregon law takes guns from people who may do harm

    Four months after a law in Oregon took effect that allows removal of guns from people who could present a danger to themselves or others, residents used the law to seek the temporary removal of guns from about 30 people and judges granted 24 of those petitions. The strategy appears to be a promising way to stop would-be shooters. Such laws have proven effective in other states in stopping suicides and in Oregon at least four people who had their guns taken had threatened public shootings.

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  • A Rare Look Inside One of the Only High Schools at an Adult Jail

    A new high school inside the New Orleans jail gives juvenile detainees the opportunity to earn credits toward graduation, not just a GED, and possibly find a different future. It's showing promise, with three people earning diplomas so far and more passing state exams in English and math. But the challenges are many because students are in a violent jail awaiting adjudication that could mean many more years behind bars.

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  • Domestic violence: Convictions are hard and the safety net has many holes

    Vermont lawmakers tried to make it easier for domestic violence victims to seek a special type of restraining order even if law enforcement does not have enough evidence to make an arrest. If it's granted the accused abuser cannot contact the victim or possess guns, but there are many holes in the system that make getting a permanent order more challenging. Resources are tight although one officer to work part-time in the State Attorney's office to create more uniform policies around the state.

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  • Could Vermont's new gun law have saved Anako Lumumba's life?

    Extreme risk protection orders can be effective in removing guns from dangerous people, but even though Vermont has such a law on the books, making it work effectively is difficult because it places most of the burden to prove the danger on the victim. Even if a risk protection order exists, law enforcement cannot take someone's guns if that person refuses unless they get a search warrant. The law's pitfalls were evident after the shooting death of a Burlington woman by her estranged partner.

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  • The Art World Has No Shortage of Legal Disputes. A New Court Wants to Help

    A new international court staffed by experts in art law has been developed to hear art arbitration cases. Through this court, cases will be judged by people with a strong knowledge of specialized law resulting in more appropriate rulings and expedited trial times.

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