ABA examines legal issues in its State of Criminal Justice 2022 report

The American Bar Association Criminal Justice Section has released its State of Criminal Justice 2022 report, which offers a valuable snapshot of significant legal developments in criminal justice during 2021 and part of 2022.

Each chapter of the annual report, written by subject matter experts in various areas, describes major recent developments in different aspects of the criminal justice system and suggests likely directions for the coming years. As well as covering more familiar turf, many chapters also address cutting-edge topics and developing trends in criminal justice. The report also contains an appendix of American Bar Association policies initiated or co-sponsored by the Criminal Justice Section that may drive the future direction of issues in criminal justice.

This year’s report also discusses:

• Anti-bribery in China;

• Trending defense issues in criminal justice;

• Court culture and administering justice;

• Pandemic justice responses to behavioral health needs.

A review of the U.S. Supreme Court’s criminal cases from its 2020-21 term and a summary of recent federal legislative developments in criminal law are included.