A cognitive bias is something that keeps you from seeing reality as it is. Instead, the bias, which may be perfectly natural, causes you to see the world as you expect it to be.For example, most people suffer from confirmation bias. When we see new information that...
Month: May 2019
Pretrial detention makes convictions, long sentences more likely
Recently, criminal justice reform advocates have pointed out a fundamental unfairness in our system. People who can afford bail are allowed to continue their lives while under criminal charges. People who cannot are held in pretrial detention, often until their...
The fear and despair of having no help in the justice system
In 1963, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that poor criminal defendants have a right to an attorney, even if they can't afford one, at any stage where their liberty is at stake.In Wisconsin, Trequelle Vann-Marcouex wasn't accorded that right. Even though he qualified for...
‘Genetic surveillance’: Police use of DNA databases and privacy
If you take a genealogy test, you could be exposing your family, from your kids to your distant relatives, to the possibility of having their genetics exposed to third parties, including law enforcement.This is because companies like GEDmatch have created massive...
It may be far harder to decline a police search than many believe
You have a right to withhold your consent when police ask to search your clothing, home, car or belongings, although many people don't realize it.Police almost always ask for consent before searching because consent simplifies the issue of whether a search was...