Police State

‘It was like a firing squad’: Deputies shoot Florida man in his own front yard

"Middleton told the News Journal that two deputies shot him early Saturday morning when he turned to face them while getting a cigarette out of his mother’s car, saying he was bent over inside the car when he was ordered to 'get your hands out where [the shooter] could see them.' The News Journal reported that a neighbor called authorities after seeing someone reaching into the car, prompting the unidentified deputies to respond to what they thought was a burglary in progress. The two deputies have been put on paid leave. Middleton told the News Journal the deputies did not check the license plate on the car or provide an explanation for their actions." Continue reading →

Continue Reading‘It was like a firing squad’: Deputies shoot Florida man in his own front yard

New Zealand military told to soften manual that equates media with extremist groups

"Opposition defence spokesman Phil Goff said it was 'utterly wrong and intolerable' for the military’s top brass to display such paranoia about journalists, showing they did not understand the media’s role in a democratic society. Goff said the situation raised further doubts about moves to expand the power of intelligence services so they can spy on New Zealanders, particularly after it was revealed that Internet mogul Kim Dotcom was illegally snooped upon before his arrest in January last year. The expanded powers, backed by Prime Minister John Key, are due to go to parliament this week and are expected to be passed by a narrow majority." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNew Zealand military told to soften manual that equates media with extremist groups

Sex Offenses, No Matter How Minor or Understandable, Can Ruin You for Life

"In 2013 alone, at least nine new laws were proposed in the California legislature to tighten or expand sex offender laws; if passed, these new laws would be applied indiscriminately to the entire registry, a list which includes persons convicted of public urination, teens having consensual sex, as well as serial rapists and violent pedophiles. In California, registration is for life. Current prohibitions include not being permitted to live within 2,000 feet of a school, park, nursery or church; obtain a contractor's license; practice medicine or law; foster a child. Sex offenders are ineligible for some federal and state grants and cannot live in federal public housing." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSex Offenses, No Matter How Minor or Understandable, Can Ruin You for Life

States Sending the Most People to Prison

"In an interview with 24/7 Wall St., John Roman, Senior Fellow at the Urban Institute’s Justice Policy Center, explained that each state’s policies on enforcement are a major factor. 'It really is a political choice,' he said. There are several sentencing policies that can dramatically increase the number of inmates in a state’s prison system, such as mandatory minimum sentencing, which requires a minimum predetermined prison sentence length, regardless of the circumstances of the crime. Roman also pointed to three-strikes laws, which impose much longer sentences on criminals who have committed three or more serious crimes." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingStates Sending the Most People to Prison

Police arrest woman after request to see warrant

"Slaton police came to this woman's house, who wishes to remain anonymous, to arrest her son. But by asking one simple question, she found herself behind bars instead. The complainant said she was aware police would be coming to apprehend her 11-year-old son based on a criminal complaint, and that she just wanted to see the warrant. As it turns out, that warrant didn't exist. She spent the night in jail while her son was left at home." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPolice arrest woman after request to see warrant

Eyewitnesses describe the terror of DWI checkpoint shooting

"Jarred and Rose Cleerdin found themselves right in the middle of a shootout at what should have been a routine DWI checkpoint. Days after the dramatic shootout in Brunswick County, they are still shaken by what they saw. 'Every cop turned around and started unloading like super trigger happy as if their training was coming into full effect and they were being able to utilize it,' said Cleerdin. 'Everybody was just blasting this car to pieces. It was absolutely terrifying.' They were stunned with what was happening, as officers reportedly shot dozens of rounds - in the direction on-coming traffic." Continue reading →

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Alabama Gov. orders investigation after DNA, blood samples collected at roadblocks

"Alabama Governor Robert Bentley's office reacted Tuesday to news that roadblocks were setup in two counties at which point commuters were offered compensation for saliva and blood samples. Drivers in St. Clair and Bibb counties were stopped at roadblocks in the area and were asked to give DNA and blood samples as part of a study. Officials say giving samples was voluntary and participants were paid $10 for mouth swabs and $50 for blood samples. Governor Robert Bentley is ordering an investigation in to the roadblocks." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAlabama Gov. orders investigation after DNA, blood samples collected at roadblocks

Las Vegas woman sexually assaulted by court officer, then arrested for reporting it

"Contreras was approached by Court Marshal Ron Fox, who ordered her into a side room for a random drug search. Fox allegedly groped her breasts and buttocks, then ordered Contreras to expose her breasts, at which point she fled into the open courtroom and requested a female marshal. On courtroom video, a confrontation can be seen in which Marshal James Kenyon arrests Contreras on charges of making false accusations against a police officer. Judge Patricia Donninger watched and took no action as Kenyon and Fox hectored Contreras into recanting her story, then arrested her when she refused to repeat it over the courtroom public address system." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingLas Vegas woman sexually assaulted by court officer, then arrested for reporting it

Baton Rouge sheriff’s office targets gay men under ‘crimes against nature’ law

"A sheriff’s office task force in Baton Rouge, Louisiana has been conducting undercover investigations that target gay men under the state’s defunct sodomy law. At least a dozen gay men have been arrested for agreeing to have sex with undercover officers, according to the report. The District Attorney Hillar Moore III told the Baton Rouge Advocate his office refused to prosecute the cases because they found no criminal violation had occurred. The Baton Rouge sheriff’s office, meanwhile, told the Baton Rouge Advocate that it would continue to prosecute all laws currently on the Louisiana books." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBaton Rouge sheriff’s office targets gay men under ‘crimes against nature’ law

SWAT Officers Dragged 10-Year-Old from Bathtub, Stood Him Naked Next to Sister, Terrorized Family

"Although the team purportedly sought to arrest William for quarreling with a drunk, off-duty police officer at a local veterans club early that morning, the family says that their 'terrorization' continued for another 45 minutes after William was apprehended. The officers threw to the floor, kicked and handcuffed Georgeia, her stepfather and her adult son Billy. They also injured Mark's shoulder and forced Billy to lie face down in broken glass, according to the complaint. When Georgeia pleaded repeatedly that she had young children in the house, at least one officer allegedly stated, 'You think you can get one of ours, and we won't get one of yours?'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSWAT Officers Dragged 10-Year-Old from Bathtub, Stood Him Naked Next to Sister, Terrorized Family