Research

The decades-long growth in rural pretrial incarceration has taken a toll on taxpayers and individual liberties. The latest research by Marc Levin and Michael Haugen unveils growth contributors and makes evidence-based recommendations to improve public safety while reducing the number of defendants held on pretrial detention. Solutions outlined in t...

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In this new report policing expert Randy Petersen outlines the conservative case for policing reforms. Having spent 21 years in law enforcement, Petersen introduces four recommended areas for reform. These areas are police militarization, their place in the community, hiring and training, and lawmaking. This report recommends that in order to bette...

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As the following graphs indicate, recidivism rates are much lower for state jail felony offenders who take probation in Harris County as compared those who go to state jail. One of the prevailing issues found throughout the state is that many people are opting for state jail—which may only be a few months given the credit for time spent in ...

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This new policy perspective from Derek Cohen and Haley Holik examines Texas' practice of trying 17 year olds in adult courts, stating research indicates that the juvenile system provides the most effective tools to punish and rehabilitate most youthful offenders. Cohen and Holik conclude by recommending that Texas "raise the age" of criminal res...

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Our senior policing researcher Randy Petersen considers the current state of research indicating that certain pre-booking or pre-arrest diversion programs show promise in reducing recidivism. [pdf-embedder url="http://rightoncrime.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-03-PP05-PrearrestPrebookingDiversion-CEJ-RandyPeterson.pdf"]...

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In this new policy perspective, our policing expert Randy Petersen considers the myriad issues involved with the recording of law enforcement activities—from ensuring public safety during potentially tense situations, to protecting individual rights and keeping government transparent and accountable. [pdf-embedder url="http://rightoncrime.com/...

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Texas' House Committee on Juvenile Justice and Family Issues recently heard testimony from stakeholders and the public on House Bill 122, a bill which would "raise the age" of criminal responsibility in Texas—from 17 to 18 years old. In attempting to model potential costs borne by state and local governments in implementing such policies, it ...

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This paper will examine Texas’ current adult probation funding formula, the successes of other jurisdictions moving toward an incentive-based funding initiative, and policy recommendations for Texas lawmakers. [pdf-embedder url="http://rightoncrime.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2016-11-PP27-IncentivizingResults-CEJ-GregGlod.pdf"] ...

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This report, by former policy analyst Dianna Muldrow, considers the reasons behind Texas' recently passed regionalization plan for juvenile offenders, and the extent to which the plan as released incorporates important principles such as public safety and efficiency. [pdf-embedder url="http://rightoncrime.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2016-11-P...

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Prosecutors arguably are the most pivotal actors in the criminal justice system. The most potent decision point in the criminal justice process—whether or not to bring formal charges against an individual—belongs solely to them. This paper presents interviews with prosecutors in the juvenile justice community who have advocated for or advan...

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The status quo of civil asset forfeiture in Texas persists due to common myths surrounding the practice and its prospective elimination. Those myths, while false, warrant discussion. [pdf-embedder url="http://rightoncrime.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2016-12-PP29-MythsCivilAssetForfeiture-CEJ-DerekCohen.pdf"]...

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This paper discusses the history of the American grand jury system, Texas’ grand jury system, areas within the status quo where procedural safeguards do not properly protect the liberties of Texans, and what other states have done to bolster their grand jury systems. [pdf-embedder url="http://rightoncrime.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/2016-10...

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In this new report for the Center for Effective Justice, Derek Cohen, Greg Glod, and Michael Haugen examine the Department of Defense's 1033 program, which provides surplus military equipment—including weaponry—to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Over $124 million worth of such gear has been distributed to various law enf...

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In this new white paper for the Texas Public Policy Foundation, our analyst Dianna Muldrow examines school discipline practices in Texas, arguing that despite recent improvements—such as decriminalizing truancy—the state should continue to improve the process by examining mandatory discipline, and considering alternative methods such as restora...

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In this new report for the Center for Effective Justice, policy analyst Dianna Muldrow discusses the need for accuracy in criminal records, as a lack thereof can have adverse effects for ex-offenders when finding employment, obtaining housing, serving in the military, or owning a gun. Muldrow also recommends reforms to update records continuousl...

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A policy product of the general “get tough on crime” era, sentencing enhancements enjoyed a great deal of bipartisan political support during the early 1980s through the late 1990s. Sentencing enhancements are statutory provisions that raise the minimum threshold of criminal sentence based on a certain characteristic of the offense or offender....

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While the abstract debate on civil asset forfeiture remains hotly contested in Texas, two elements often omitted from the discussion is “how much,” and “where” the practice takes place. Unfortunately, delineating civil forfeiture from that which occurs pursuant to a criminal conviction is impossible under current reporting law. Still, in...

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Federal criminal justice reform may be the most important legislation that emerges from Washington, D.C. in 2016. Policymakers on both sides of the aisle have expressed a desire to make meaningful changes to federal sentencing laws. This guide will help you understand the background on sentencing, what is at stake, and what to expect this year and ...

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[pdf-embedder url="http://rightoncrime.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/PP-Examining-the-Myths-of-Federal-Sentencing-Reform.pdf"]  ...

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[pdf-embedder url="http://rightoncrime.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/PP-Without-Due-Process-of-Law-The-Conservative-Case-for-Civil-Asset-Forfeiture-Reform.pdf"]There is little dispute among the conservative movement that criminals who would threaten the safety of our communities deserve to be divested of the fruits of their illicit enterprise. Dru...

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