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.
The proposed legislation is named in honor of fallen Kansas City firefighter/paramedic Graham Hoffman, who was fatally stabbed by a patient
Waco’s police and fire chiefs are requesting a dedicated staff psychologist to support the mental health of more than 500 public safety personnel
After an investigation revealed years-long delays in Public Safety Officers’ Benefits claims, Sen. Chuck Grassley is demanding leadership changes and accountability at the DOJ
The investigative tool can look collectively at an agency’s stops, searches, or arrests; use of excessive force; possible discriminatory policing and more
The bill presumes disabling or fatal infectious diseases were suffered in the line of duty as a result of injury due to uncapped needles
The bill proposed banning all geofence warrants; Law enforcement officials said passing the bill would hinder their ability to investigate crimes
The law would have made it illegal to knowingly film police officers 8 feet or closer if the officer tells the person to stop
The new bail schedules will correspond with pre-arraignment release terms based on the arrestee’s risk of endangering the public and skipping arraignment
The court ruled that monetary bail is not the “only means to ensure criminal defendants appear for trials or the only means to protect the public”
Under the revised policy, police and firefighters can retire at age 55 or with 25 years of service, whichever comes first
Citizens can file a complaint if they feel the officer violated the new ordinance; an internal review of the complaint will determine if disciplinary action is warranted
The bill would require officers to give out business cards to people they stop, search, frisk, or question during interactions that don’t lead to arrests
East St. Louis officers estimate there is about $1.2 million owed to about 40 current and retired officers
The “9/11 Notice Act” will alert workers in the area of the World Trade Center during the 9/11 attacks of financial, healthcare benefits
The new law will require deputies “to do a little more research” when they encounter someone carrying a firearm, Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister said
The state Supreme Court found the nearly real-time surveillance of a person’s social media was the “functional equivalent” of tapping their phone
The new law says people whose image or voice is the subject of a body camera or dash camera recording can file a written request to review the recording
Four of seven justices found the scientific methodology is not reliable enough to allow examiners to testify that a particular gun fired a particular bullet
The group would analyze data on the state’s prison populations, recidivism rates, sentence proportionality and sentencing disparities
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