ABA releases annual review of the criminal justice system

The American Bar Association Section of Criminal Justice released “The State of Criminal Justice 2016,” which each year examines major issues, trends and significant changes in the U.S. criminal justice system.

“The State of Criminal Justice 2016” is a comprehensive analysis of current developments and developing trends in America’s criminal justice system and a reflection of the work of  prosecutors and defense attorneys, judges and academics working together to address the most pressing criminal justice issues of our time,” said ABA President  Paulette Brown.

Published annually, “The State of Criminal Justice,” serves as a resource for policymakers, academics and students of the criminal justice system alike. The book provides a snapshot of major developments in the criminal justice system during 2015 and a preview of developments in 2016, and is a valuable indication of future directions for the criminal justice system in the United States.

“The ABA Criminal Justice Section engaged top experts to prepare and deliver an invaluable resource to lawyers practicing criminal law,” said Bernice Donald, chair of the ABA Criminal Justice Section and judge of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati.

“We are proud to release ‘The State of Criminal Justice 2016’ as it addresses critical issues such as recent Supreme Court jurisprudence, white collar criminal law, pre-trial detention, sexual assault, convictions and sentencing, collateral consequences and reentry programs. This work also provides ethical guidance for lawyers, prosecutors and criminal justice professionals working in this complex environment.”

This year’s volume is a collection of 20 chapters written by some of the country’s most recognized criminal justice experts and lawyers, who are available to media outlets seeking sources.

Experts and their articles include:

• “White Collar Crime,” by Raymond Banoun, Peter T. Carey and A. Joseph Jay III

• “Pre-Trial Detention and Bail,” by Lisa Schreibersdorf and Andrea Nieves

• “Ethics in Criminal Advocacy” by Lara Bazelon

• “#SayHerName Captured: Updates on Use of Video in Challenging Law Enforcement Violence Against Women,” By Amber Baylor

• “Juvenile Justice,” by John D. “Jay” Elliot

• “Promoting Racial Justice in Every Stage of the Criminal Justice System,” by Salma S. Safiedine, Christine Kulumani and Katrina Goodjoint

• “New Laws to Combat Trafficking in Persons,” by T. Markus Funk and Andrew S. Boutros

• “Military Criminal Justice: Expanded Rights for Sexual Assault Victims,” by Michael S. Waddington, Alexandra González-Waddington and William L. Summers

• “Sentencing Reform Gains Real Momentum in 2015,” by Sean Hecker and David Sandler

• “Double Sentence: The Consequences Incarcerated Mothers Face and the Impact on Their Children,” by Lauren Donaldson, Navneet Jaswal and Carla Laroche

• “Emerging Best Practices for Post-Conviction Cases Involving Flawed Forensic Evidence,” by Joshu Harris

• “Collateral Consequences as Impediments to Public Safety: Felony Disenfranchisement and SexOffender Registries,” by William L. Summers, R. Tucker Richardson III and Guy Hamilton-Smith

• “Restoring Pell Grants for Prisoners—Growing Momentum for Reform,” by SpearIt

• “Capital Punishment,” by Ronald J. Tabak

This edition marks the return of an annual review of the criminal justice system and is available to purchase through the ABA Web store at: http://shop.americanbar.org/eBus/Store/ProductDetails.aspx?productId=250131659  

The ABA can refer reporters to legal experts available to speak about the trends and latest legislative developments in the U.S. criminal justice system. Reporters seeking comment and analysis on this subject or a complimentary copy of “The State of Criminal Justice 2016” may contact Maria Gutierrez at 202-662-1091 or at Maria.Gutierrez@americanbar.org for more information.

The ABA Criminal Justice Section is the unified voice of criminal justice judges, private criminal defense attorneys, prosecutors, public defenders, academics and other professionals. The section, with more than 18,000 members, brings together all of the various actors to improve the criminal justice system, address today’s most pressing issues and to serve its members, the profession and the public.