Articles tagged with Criminal Law
A study of 198,247 opioid users in England found that they were six times more likely to die prematurely than the general population. The risk of death increased with age, with older users facing a staggering increase in homicide rates.
A recent investigation explored whether Facebook murders were unique and worthy of a new label. The study found that these crimes followed typical patterns, with victims knowing their killers, and social media played no more significant role than other tools in the commission of violence.
A Monash University study reveals that 42 Commonwealth countries continue to criminalize homosexuality, posing a threat to the LGBTQI community. The laws violate basic human rights and are fueled by religious beliefs in some nations.
A recent study by Sam Houston State University found that online bullying creates significant fear among students who have experienced traditional bullying or gang activity. Cyberbullying is most prominent in minority populations, leading to negative effects such as decreased academic performance and increased anxiety.
A study by Michigan State University researchers suggests that poverty and crime in neighborhoods are significant predictors of cyberbullying. The findings contradict the notion that cyberbullying is a middle-class problem and highlight the need for targeted prevention efforts in low-income communities.
The SAGE Junior Faculty Professional Development Teaching Award recognizes new teaching professionals in criminal justice and criminology disciplines. The award provides a travel stipend to attend the ACJS Annual Meeting, where winners will engage with top educators, researchers, practitioners, and students.
Recent advances in data analysis technology have given federal controllers new weapons in the fight against Medicare and Medicaid fraud. Researchers found that for every dollar spent on fraud control, $7 was returned, with significant recoveries made in fiscal years 2011 and 2012.
A new study finds that nearly half of black males and almost 40 percent of white males are arrested by age 23, affecting their ability to find work, attend school, and fully participate in their communities. The study also reveals little race variation in arrest rates among females.
A new multilevel study examines the relationship between minimum wage increases and crime rates, concluding that higher wages do not lower violent or property crime. The researchers analyzed data from 18 states that raised their minimum wage above federal standards and found no significant change in crime rates.
The minimum age of criminal responsibility is a contentious issue in modern juvenile justice systems. Experts debate the age at which children are considered mature enough to be held responsible, with many arguing for reforms to the current laws and policies.
Outpatient treatment significantly reduces arrest rates for people with mental health problems, saving the government $95,000 per individual. Providing mental health care not only benefits individuals but also society as a whole.
The SAGE Junior Faculty Teaching Award recognizes promising new faculty members in the criminal justice and criminology disciplines. Ten award winners will receive grants to support their travel to the ACJS annual meeting, fostering a network of support at the beginning of their career.
Community Solutions, Inc. has donated $500,000 to Rutgers School of Criminal Justice to support research on reducing youth gang involvement. The partnership aims to marry direct services with evidence-based research through the Multisystemic Therapy program.
A recent study at Washington State University found that viewers of primetime crime dramas are more inclined to intervene on behalf of sexual assault victims. The research suggests that prime-time television can be an effective medium for educating the public about sexual assault and encouraging bystander intervention.
The latest volume of Crime and Justice series explores how prosecutors exercise discretion, with a focus on equality, justice, and rationality. It presents case studies from the US and abroad to identify best practices in prosecutor behavior.
Research finds that elected judges in Washington state hand down harsher sentences in the last three months before an election, with a 10% increase in sentence length compared to earlier terms. Judges become more calculated and deviate from guidelines more often when re-election is at stake.
Researchers found that Muslims are less likely to have premarital sex and extramarital sex compared to Christians and Jews. National Islamic cultures also influence the sexual behaviors of residents in Muslim-majority nations.
A recent study by Indiana University researchers found no association between housing-mortgage stress and crime rates in US metropolitan areas. Despite anecdotal evidence, the research indicates that higher levels of housing-mortgage stress do not correlate with violent or property crime rates.
Four Hebrew University professors, Prof. Saharon Shelah, Gershon Ben-Shakhar, Berachyahu Lifshitz, and Eliav Shochetman, have been awarded the $1 million EMET Prize for their significant contributions to mathematics, psychology, law, and Jewish law. The prize recognizes their far-reaching influence and impact on society.
The MacArthur Foundation Research Network on Law and Neuroscience, led by Vanderbilt professor Owen Jones, aims to make neuroscience accessible in America's courtrooms. The network explores effects of modern neuroscience on criminal law, including assessing mental states, capacity, and evidence.
A recent study by Sam Houston State University found that GPS monitoring of Arizona sex offenders triggered a significant number of false alarms, consuming an inordinate amount of probation officers' resources. The study recommends improving the system to reduce non-violation alerts and increasing officer training to address these issues.
A University of Cincinnati study found that successful correctional programs in Ohio reduced recidivism rates by 50% compared to unsuccessful ones, which increased rates by 32%. The research identified five key program characteristics: leadership, staff training, offender assessment, treatment components, and quality assurance.
A new study led by Michigan State University criminologist Thomas Holt reveals that peer influence and low self-control are major factors driving juvenile cybercrime such as hacking and online bullying. Parents are encouraged to be more proactive with their kids, discussing ethical dilemmas and using parental-control software.
The modern understanding of homosexuality originated in 19th-century Germany with the Imperial Criminal Code's anti-sodomy law, sparking public inquiry into same-sex eroticism. This led to key components of modern gay rights, including recognizing same-sex attraction as a fundamental aspect of individual biology or psychology.
A University of Nebraska-Lincoln study found that viewers' fears and attitudes about crime are influenced by the type of TV show they watch. Non-fiction documentaries increase fear of becoming a victim, while fictional dramas boost support for the death penalty.
Research found that individuals with schizophrenia are more likely to be victims of crime and have poorer mental health. The study also estimated a significant economic impact of legal involvement on patients, with direct costs ranging from $1429 per patient per year.
The November issue of Reproductive Health Matters explores the complex relationship between criminalization and HIV transmission, raising concerns about women's rights in Africa. The journal examines how laws aimed at protecting women from sexual violence may inadvertently lead to their prosecution for HIV exposure.
A new FSU study confirms the 'warrior gene' is linked to gang membership and violent behavior in males, while females with the same variant are less likely to engage in such behavior. The study found that males carrying a specific MAOA gene variant were more likely to join gangs and use weapons.
Research by Florida State University criminologist Kevin M. Beaver found that genetic factors contribute to adolescent victimization, accounting for 40-45% of variance in male and female adolescents. Genetic factors also play a significant role in repeated victimization among adolescents.
A growing threat of food counterfeiting and contamination is outpacing international regulatory systems, with the US Food and Drug Administration inspecting only 1.8% of its imported food supply. Michigan State University researchers are calling for increased corporate responsibility and risk-based inspections to address this issue.
Experts warn that nations blocking humanitarian aid to their people are violating international human rights and potentially committing crimes against humanity. The authors argue that intervention is justified in cases where leaders deliberately block aid, leading to widespread death and suffering.
Researchers used fingerprints to count fisher populations, identifying individual animals and tracking their numbers in the wild. This method is simpler and less expensive than DNA fingerprinting, offering a promising tool for conservation.
A new study finds that employers who use criminal background checks tend to hire more black applicants, particularly black men, due to implicit biases. The study suggests that curtailing access to criminal history records may worsen racial disparities in labor market outcomes and affect other stigmatized groups.
A recent analysis of trial records reveals that punitive damages awards have not increased dramatically and are highly correlated to compensatory damages awarded by judges and juries.
A recent study found that sexual harassment cases governed by the 1991 Act are awarded statistically significant higher damages awards than preceding cases. The inclusion of state law tort and anti-discrimination claims drives up damages.
A recent study by John R. Lott Jr. suggests that delays in judicial confirmations are driven by the fear of capable and influential judges who would effectively shape the courts' positions. The study, published in the Journal of Empirical Legal Studies, finds that confirmation delays limit the impact of judges on court decisions.
Researchers analyzed a comprehensive database of insured closed claims, revealing moderate changes and weak connections between claims-related costs and premium fluctuations. The study aims to inform reforms addressing real shortcomings in the malpractice litigation and claims payment systems.
A court-ordered settlement has provided funding to New Jersey's Women's Heart Foundation, enabling the implementation of statewide programs targeting women at risk for heart disease. The foundation aims to introduce new care interventions and professional nursing courses that cater to the specific needs of women.
A report by U of T professors Anthony Doob and Cheryl Webster finds that harsher sentences do not reduce crime, citing the likelihood of apprehension as a key factor. The researchers argue that more resources are needed for social and educational programs to help children and youth thrive in school and prevent crime.
The UK Government's proposed law on corporate killing aims to make companies financially accountable for their actions. However, the editorial criticizes this approach, arguing that it fails to hold individual directors directly responsible for decisions leading to injury.
A study found that mentally ill individuals are vulnerable to victimization in conflict situations, particularly those with substance abuse disorders or delusional beliefs. Counseling services can help family members and professionals cope with these individuals while avoiding conflicts.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health researchers found that Maryland's 1990 law banning Saturday night specials resulted in a 9% lower rate of gun homicides. The study suggests the law saved an average of 40 lives per year between 1990-1998.