Legal
Legal matters are a core focus for local and state government agencies, encompassing the creation, interpretation, and enforcement of laws and regulations that govern public affairs. Legal frameworks ensure that government actions are consistent with the rule of law and protect citizens’ rights. Though by no means a perfect system – enforcement inequities continue to make the headlines – local leaders strive to create laws that work fairly for all.
Matthew Hamilton, the officer who was later fired and indicted for manslaughter in the death of Joseph Lopez, pursued “qualified immunity” from liability
People who are “not citizens, but are legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law” will be allowed to apply for PD jobs
The investigative tool can look collectively at an agency’s stops, searches, or arrests; use of excessive force; possible discriminatory policing and more
The South Bend, Indiana, mayor has amassed a network of roughly 60 “Mayors for Pete,” a collection of local leaders pushing for his underdog bid.
The state is investing millions of dollars to beef up elections security, including providing $15.5 million in grants to local jurisdictions and $1.9 million to install network monitoring systems.
The current wildfire crisis in California should serve as an object lesson in the folly of expecting private enterprise to operate in the service of the public interest.
Summit County leaders -- including local governments -- deserve credit for taking some measure of risk two years ago in pursuing this case. Now, the question becomes how to best spend these and future proceeds.
The Harris County, Texas, Public Safety Technology Services Department earned top prize for building a tool that courts can use to verify the integrity of images entered into evidence.
In the days since his standout performance in the last Democratic debate, Buttigieg has come under criticism for being too cozy with powerful tech industry giant Mark Zuckerberg and faced renewed questions about his ability to attract African American voters.
The gathering focused on future potential settlement dollars from pending state and local suits, which could include help for individual communities or for state or local programs.
One of the most mentally and physically terrorizing crimes in the U.S. is also one of the most under-reported. Learn more about sexual assault in the U.S.
Prosecutors argue that the law prohibiting the removal of memorials for war veterans, which dates to 1904 and only applied to counties until 1997, does not apply retroactively to statues erected before the law’s expansion.
In a settlement reached just hours before the first federal trial on the opioid crisis was set to begin, Cleveland’s Cuyahoga County and Akron’s Summit County will receive $260 million to fund treatment programs and other services for hard-hit communities.
Amelda Glaspie and her husband paid $800 a month to live without water or power in an abandoned L.A. church.
This first federal opioid crisis trial between two Ohio counties and drug manufacturers will focus on distribution: Were the companies obligated to halt shipments of suspicious orders and, if so, did they comply?
Ellicott City reminds us that risk management is about more than just mitigating physical threats
According to Alex Stamos, former Facebook chief security officer, there’s little the government can do at this point to make sure the 2020 vote is unhackable.
Disturbingly high numbers of domestic violence cases are serious enough to merit felony charges, but most of these offenders will never have to face such harsh consequences
After Madison Campbell survived a sexual assault in college, she set out to find an alternative to the invasive rape kit collection process. The backlash, however, has been swift.
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