Articles tagged with Legal System
According to the 2026 Annenberg Constitution Day Civics Survey, 35% of U.S. adults cannot name all three branches of government, while 65% can name the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The survey also found that 73% cite freedom of speech as the only First Amendment right they can name, with 24% naming none of the rights.
A 5-year study in BC found that decriminalization reduced police encounters for drug possession by 39% without changes in overdose deaths or hospitalizations. The partial recriminalization period also saw declines in drug-related hospitalizations and overdose deaths, but similar trends were seen in other parts of Canada.
A new study found a 16.8-percent increase in HIV cases among Hispanic populations in antisanctuary counties compared to baseline counties. The researchers attributed this increase to the 2018 announcement of changes to the public charge rule, which penalized immigrants for using public benefit programs.
Research in Economic Inquiry reveals evidence of in-group bias in the judiciary, with sharing a law school with the presiding judge increasing a plaintiff's attorney's chance of winning damages by 2 percentage points. The effect is strongest when the judge is at least 10 years older than the lawyer, suggesting an age-dependent factor.
Recent Supreme Court decisions have reduced federal agencies' independence and expanded state-level protections for public health. Federal health agencies now face increased scrutiny from the judiciary, compromising their ability to set standards without interference from elected officials.
A study by Rice University associate professor Tanika Raychaudhuri found that many Asian Americans learn about politics through social interactions with friends, classmates, co-workers, and neighbors. The research suggests that political identities are dynamic and influenced by evolving social networks.
A new study reveals that Republican lawmakers sponsored 86% of antivaccine bills introduced in state legislatures after the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers supported provaccine bills, highlighting partisan polarization's impact on vaccine access and public health.
The European Law Institute has approved its first comprehensive framework for dealing with digital assets and personal digital content after death. The rules provide a dual legal framework recognizing the need for protection, privacy, and dignity in digital inheritance.
Researchers argue that EU and UK wildlife protection frameworks are fragmented, selective, and exception-based, threatening biodiversity. The authors propose strengthening laws to recognize animal sentience and introducing 'ethical continuity' into the legal framework.
An analysis of family court proceedings found that first-time mothers who faced care proceedings were 21 times more likely to die within 10 years. Most of these deaths (73%) were preventable and related to suicide, homicide, drugs/alcohol, or unintentional injury.
The new report identifies six principles shaping trust in AI: reliability and competence, contextual awareness, transparency and accountability, fairness and integrity, resilience, and relational dynamics. The paper argues that trust must be grounded in demonstrated system performance, governance, and institutional responsibility.
Youth who have contact with the US legal system may experience increased risk of mental health symptoms such as anxiety, depression, hostility, and psychoticism. The study found that having two or more concurrent contacts with the legal system has a significant impact on long-term mental health outcomes.
Research from the Annenberg Public Policy Center finds that serving on a jury improves attitudes toward courts and judges. However, with jury trials becoming increasingly rare, opportunities for Americans to participate are shrinking. The authors suggest expanding civic education as an alternative path to rebuilding public trust.
New research warns that traditional legal systems are ill-equipped to cope with climate change's fast-moving impact on communities. The study proposes a blueprint for dynamic and responsive laws to help cities thrive amidst climate change and urban uncertainty.
Researchers found that adding words like charming, cozy, or lovely to Airbnb listings boosted booking rates by roughly 0.2%, comparable to objective claims about amenities. The study's findings suggest that subjective praise can meaningfully shape consumer behavior without consumers feeling remorseful.
The project, Incognito Justice, examines anonymous judgments and their impact on the legal system, combining doctrinal analysis with empirical methods and computational tools. It offers a comprehensive account of this transformation in privacy, transparency, and public legitimacy.
A study by University of Exeter experts found that unified and local efforts can support a thriving environment and improve community well-being. The researchers propose tech-driven, community-led action to rescue local environmental enforcement from funding cuts and jurisdictional confusion.
After Dobbs v Jackson, US abortion management shifted towards expectant approaches in ban states, with persistent reliance on suboptimal misoprostol-only regimens. State-level abortion bans were associated with a decrease in management options for individuals with spontaneous abortion in ban states.
The Baker McKenzie Award has recognized Dr. Alexander Heger's dissertation on European Competition Law and Air Transport for its outstanding analysis of a complex field. The award also goes to Dr. Felix-Julius Konow for his research on regulating stablecoins, which explores regulatory mechanisms to address economic and financial risks.
A new international study introduces a novel theory of change and an approach to the development of legal systems, highlighting the need for profound rethinking in Finland and worldwide. Small, strategic regulatory changes can trigger macro-level shifts, according to the model developed in the study.
New research from West Virginia University finds that judges are adopting generative artificial intelligence in courtrooms, but remain committed to human control over judicial decision-making. Judges use AI for administrative tasks like document summarization and case organization, but prioritize legal reasoning and final judgment.
A study by Universidad Carlos III de Madrid proposes Proportional Justified Representation (PJR), a balanced and flexible tool that ensures mathematically perfect solutions, preventing significant groups from being excluded. The method has applications in electoral voting systems, expert committee selection, and recommendation systems.
New research suggests that AI-powered price discrimination could lead to hidden, personalised pricing that consumers cannot see or understand, potentially reducing trust and affecting behavior. Regulators are now facing pressure to decide whether such practices cross the line under EU competition law.
A new study by the University at Buffalo reveals that unequal access to recycling facilities plays a key role in shaping plastic waste management practices in the US. Wealthier and more college-educated communities are more likely to have convenient access to large-scale industrial recycling facilities, making recycling easier and more...
A new study from Sultan Qaboos University demonstrates how AI can analyze Oman's Labour Law of 2023, revealing complex interdependencies between its articles. The research identifies influential 'hubs' within the law that may be triggered by changes, enabling policymakers to anticipate broader impact.
States with full abortion bans experienced a 1.6% increased birth rate in 2023, as well as a 4.3% increase in WIC participation among postpartum women and a 2.1% increase in formula-fed infants. This led to a $6.9 million increase in WIC food-assistance costs in 2023.
A study found that radiologists who reviewed imaging tests twice after AI flagged them as abnormal were 53% less likely to be held liable in court compared to those who reviewed once. This suggests that changes to radiologist workflow could reduce legal risk, but may also come with increased costs.
The Bureaucracy Index has reached a record high, showing a 62% increase in federal legislation since 2010. Commercial law has developed at an above-average rate, with the strongest growth since the beginning of systematic evaluation. To generate new growth momentum, deregulation must start here.
Sleep deprivation can weaken eyewitness recall, reduce autobiographical detail, and increase susceptibility to misinformation in legal proceedings. This can lead to false confessions and wrongful convictions, as exhausted individuals may prioritize short-term relief over long-term consequences.
A new study from the University of Surrey suggests that powerful companies risk legal responsibility for labor abuse, child labor, and environmental pollution linked to their global operations. Courts in the UK and abroad are treating corporate human rights responsibility as a legal duty rather than a voluntary promise.
Governance scholar Christopher Koliba argues that the politicization of the COVID-19 pandemic and 2020 US elections led to a transgression of democratic accountability standards. The two crises undermined reason and truthfulness, forbearance toward democratic institutions, and professional discretion.
A cohort study found that adolescent cannabis use is associated with an increased risk of developing psychiatric disorders, particularly psychotic and bipolar conditions. The study's results inform the development of interventions and policies to prevent or delay adolescent cannabis use.
Research on Philippine jails reveals the everyday human cost of overcrowding, including sensory overload from poor ventilation, heat, and smell. The study calls for sensorially attuned penal reform to address the full spectrum of carceral harm.
The study examines California's Racial Justice Act implementation and impact on racial justice access for criminal defendants. The research team, led by UC Irvine Chancellor's Professor Mona Lynch, will investigate the act's effectiveness across diverse jurisdictions, with a focus on under-resourced areas.
A new study by Anglia Ruskin University highlights the need for better legal protection for insects against global trafficking. The researchers argue that insect trafficking is a growing aspect of environmental crime, with potential impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity.
Researchers analyzed thousands of ways PCOS machines could have process or security vulnerabilities to identify and mitigate risks. The study highlights the importance of securing every link in the process, not just the machines themselves, to prevent procedural gaps from having large consequences.
Next Steps: Rebuilding Indigenous Law is a new research initiative that empowers Indigenous communities to renew and rebuild their own legal systems. The project, supported by a $10 million investment, aims to rebuild entire Indigenous legal orders and revitalize traditional legal traditions.
New legislation bans online money games in India, highlighting aggressive promotional spending and addictive design features that exploit users. The study finds 450 million people lose Rs. 20,000 crores annually through online gaming, with cases of Internet Gaming Disorder and suicides reported.
The Hebrew University has jumped dozens of places to reach 23rd worldwide in Public Administration, surpassing Harvard. The university ranks 15th in Mathematics, 16th in Communication, 34th in Law, and 88th overall.
A new study by VCU researchers found that almost all participants perceived a suspect as being in custody after only a short period of time, even though they had not been formally arrested. The research used virtual reality headsets to examine how people perceive police custody from 'inside' the interrogation room.
Recent court cases use medical and scientific evidence to defend human rights to health, attributing health impacts to climate change. Health professionals can help characterize cause of deaths and disease resulting from climate change impacts, and drive action by supporting legal interventions against big polluters.
The report proposes initiatives to reduce firearm violence, including using AI and addressing social causes. It also highlights the need for primordial prevention, which involves changing inequitable social structures to prevent violence.
Dr. Neta Nadiv, a faculty member at Reichman University's Harry Radzyner Law School, has been selected for the Young Scholars Forum in the Humanities and Social Sciences. The forum aims to create an active research community and deepen academic dialogue in Israel.
A new study found that the growing age imbalance in the duty solicitor scheme risks eroding trust in the criminal justice system. The study warns of a looming generational crisis due to the financial burden of self-funding Solicitors Qualifying Examination fees, which is deterring younger solicitors from entering the profession.
The analysis explores how reduced fentanyl production costs affect the structure and conduct of the illegal opioid supply industry. It also assesses potential consequences for drug law enforcement organizations, finding modest declines in expenditures and income-generating crime.
Research from Edith Cowan University suggests that states can be held accountable for human rights violations committed by private military companies. Associate Professor Shannon Bosch explains that ARISWA provides a means for the international community to hold states responsible for actions taken by private military firms on their be...
Individuals with psychosis reported a large increase in current cannabis use following legalization, exceeding previous estimates for the general population. This finding highlights the need for policymakers to consider the potential health impacts of cannabis use on individuals with psychosis.
Researchers found that automated text message reminders significantly reduced bench warrants and pretrial incarceration rates. The study used software sent to clients of public defenders in California, resulting in a 20-21% decrease in missed court dates.
Researchers highlight how Ukraine's decentralization reforms empowered local communities to resist war and maintain society's functioning. Studies reveal how grassroots efforts, such as volunteering and participatory budgeting, helped keep essential services running despite extreme losses.
Researchers developed a custom speech recognition system trained on Supreme Court hearings, reducing transcription errors by up to 9% compared to leading commercial tools. The AI tool semantically matches paragraphs with timestamps, allowing users to scroll through judgements and instantly watch relevant exchanges from the hearing.
The Annenberg Constitution Day Civics Survey finds that Americans' knowledge of civics has increased, with over two-thirds able to name all three branches of government. However, trust in the Supreme Court continues to deteriorate, with nearly 60% holding little or no trust.
Non-compliance with law facilitated by errors in environmental licensing has led to the loss of over 580,000 hectares of native vegetation. Cerrado wetlands perform crucial hydrological functions and are essential natural reservoirs that maintain river flow through groundwater.
The use of AI in the criminal justice system raises concerns about fairness and transparency. Researchers advise for clear understanding of data used and procedure by judges to use guidance from AI systems. Explainable AI systems may help, but transparency doesn't have to mean understanding computer code.
Systematic review highlights the challenges of nonregistration, premature discontinuation, and nonpublication of randomized clinical trials, affecting non-industry-sponsored trials. Funders' requirements and ethics committee oversight can mitigate these issues.
A survey of over 3,000 US citizens found that Donald Trump's rhetoric about his prosecution had minimal effect on increasing support for him or reducing opposition to democratic norms.
A groundbreaking biography of Æthelstan highlights his overlooked achievements and the significance of his reign in shaping modern England. Woodman argues that Æthelstan created England in 927AD, citing evidence from original diplomas, literary records, and archaeological sites.
Two former Department of Justice scientists argue for transformative crime prevention research prioritizing social justice alongside public safety. They emphasize the need for research incorporating community perspectives and collaborative approaches to prevent harm and promote justice.
The study examines the effects of broader criminal justice reforms on public health and safety. It found little evidence that Measure 110 was responsible for rising crime or overdose deaths, but rather attributed these trends to the COVID-19 pandemic and fentanyl emergence.
Researchers propose a quality management system for quantum technologies to ensure security, interoperability, transparency and accountability. International standards can facilitate cooperation among countries like China, the US, and Europe, creating trust in new technologies.
A new study from the University of Georgia found that unenforced compulsory voting laws can increase voter turnout, with a 6.5 to 14 percentage point increase observed in local village elections in India. The study suggests that laws have an expressive function and can shape norms and behavior even without punishments involved.