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Criminal Justice

Vox’s coverage of advances and failures of the American criminal justice system.

Criminal Justice
From coast to coast, protests against police brutality and racism are still going strongFrom coast to coast, protests against police brutality and racism are still going strong
Criminal Justice

The death of Rayshard Brooks in Atlanta has added momentum to some demonstrations.

By Zeeshan Aleem
Culture
In Dave Chappelle’s surprise new special, he drops the comedy to meditate on black AmericaIn Dave Chappelle’s surprise new special, he drops the comedy to meditate on black America
Culture

In “8:46,” named for the length of time of George Floyd’s killing, Chappelle turns his stage into a somber pulpit.

By Aja Romano
The “abolish the police” movement, explained by 7 scholars and activists
Politics

“I’m sorry that the fight for justice and inequality could not be more convenient for political timetables, but it isn’t.”

By Sean Illing
Politics
3 ways to ensure that rogue cops aren’t above the law3 ways to ensure that rogue cops aren’t above the law
Politics

A highly technical doctrine protecting cops from lawsuits is finally receiving national attention.

By Ian Millhiser
Explainers
Democrats’ sweeping new police reform bill, explainedDemocrats’ sweeping new police reform bill, explained
Explainers

Among other measures, Democrats want to end qualified immunity and chokeholds.

By Ella Nilsen and Li Zhou
Politics
Black Lives Matter sues Bill Barr for order that led to tear gas attack on peaceful protestersBlack Lives Matter sues Bill Barr for order that led to tear gas attack on peaceful protesters
Politics

The lawsuit faces an uphill battle in a judiciary controlled by Republicans.

By Ian Millhiser
Why the policing problem isn’t about “a few bad apples”
Politics

“The system was designed this way”: A former prosecutor on the fundamental problem with law enforcement.

By Sean Illing
How racist policing took over American cities, explained by a historian
Explainers

“The problem is the way policing was built,” historian Khalil Muhammad says.

By Anna North
Politics
Why protesters have been banging pots and pans outside their windowsWhy protesters have been banging pots and pans outside their windows
Politics

A “cacerolazo” is a time-honored form of protest in Latin America.

By Nicole Narea
Technology
Jack Dorsey is giving millions to Colin Kaepernick’s criminal justice groupJack Dorsey is giving millions to Colin Kaepernick’s criminal justice group
Technology

His gift is the largest yet from tech billionaires who are donating to criminal justice reform.

By Theodore Schleifer
Politics
Obama’s message to young people of color: “I want you to know that you matter”Obama’s message to young people of color: “I want you to know that you matter”
Politics

Obama praised young people of color for creating urgency around systemic racism and police brutality.

By Nicole Narea
Criminal Justice
The 3 former officers who aided Derek Chauvin are charged in George Floyd’s killingThe 3 former officers who aided Derek Chauvin are charged in George Floyd’s killing
Criminal Justice

Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng, and Thomas Lane were charged with aiding and abetting murder. And charges against Chauvin were escalated to second-degree murder.

By Ian Millhiser
Qualified immunity, explained
Explainers

Government officials enjoy broad protections against lawsuits, and that includes rogue cops.

By Ian Millhiser
Criminal Justice
New autopsy finds George Floyd died of asphyxiation, conflicting with official reportNew autopsy finds George Floyd died of asphyxiation, conflicting with official report
Criminal Justice

The county medical examiner’s report is at odds with a new, independent autopsy.

By Ian Millhiser
Culture
9 movies and shows that explain how America’s justice system got this way9 movies and shows that explain how America’s justice system got this way
Culture

The US’s system of policing, criminal justice, and incarceration didn’t just come from nowhere. And to change it, we have to understand it.

By Alissa Wilkinson
Criminal Justice
The charges against former Minnesota police officer Derek Chauvin, explainedThe charges against former Minnesota police officer Derek Chauvin, explained
Criminal Justice

The difficulty of proving intent to kill is likely why prosecutors decided on third-degree murder charges.

By Ian Millhiser
Politics
How the Supreme Court enabled police to use deadly chokeholdsHow the Supreme Court enabled police to use deadly chokeholds
Politics

When the Supreme Court turns its back on injustice, there are consequences.

By Ian Millhiser
Why arrests take so long in cases like Ahmaud Arbery’s and Breonna Taylor’s
Police Violence

The length of time is less important than what prosecutors do with it, Wake Forest professor Ronald Wright says.

By Fabiola Cineas
Politics
Social distancing arrests target people of colorSocial distancing arrests target people of color
Politics

“Why is anyone surprised with this?”

By Katelyn Burns
Why US jails and prisons became coronavirus epicenters
Explainers

Jails and prisons in the US are reporting coronavirus outbreaks. That’s bad for everyone.

By German Lopez
Coronavirus scammers are flooding social media with fake cures and tests
Technology

Your guide to the scam-filled digital black market for Covid-19 products.

By Rebecca Heilweil
Politics
Virginia just decriminalized marijuanaVirginia just decriminalized marijuana
Politics

The state is the 27th to decriminalize or legalize marijuana.

By German Lopez
Why people are being released from jails and prisons during the pandemic
Criminal Justice

As coronavirus cases rise in America’s jails, some states have instituted early release. But advocates say that isn’t enough.

By Catherine Kim
Politics
Another way coronavirus will make Americans’ lives worse in the long term: More gunsAnother way coronavirus will make Americans’ lives worse in the long term: More guns
Politics

America’s gun problem stands to get a little worse after all of this ends.

By German Lopez
Politics
Welcome to the world of craft weedWelcome to the world of craft weed
Politics

Big Marijuana is coming. What does that mean for the future of weed in America?

By Sean Illing
Politics
Wisconsin rejected new gun control laws. Then a mass shooting happened.Wisconsin rejected new gun control laws. Then a mass shooting happened.
Politics

It’s at least the 11th mass shooting in the state since 2004.

By Farah Al Sharif
Politics
Mike Bloomberg’s stop-and-frisk problem, explainedMike Bloomberg’s stop-and-frisk problem, explained
Politics

Bloomberg was synonymous with stop and frisk. Now he’s trying to run away from it.

By German Lopez
I reported through a mass shooting at my own newspaper. Now I’m taking a buyout.
Politics

The traumas add up, and eventually, I wondered if I owed this business any more of myself.

By Joshua McKerrow
Politics
How Justice Scalia paved the way for Trump’s assault on the rule of lawHow Justice Scalia paved the way for Trump’s assault on the rule of law
Politics

Three words: “the unitary executive.”

By Ian Millhiser
Politics
Virginia is poised to decriminalize marijuanaVirginia is poised to decriminalize marijuana
Politics

The state is likely to become the 27th to decriminalize or legalize marijuana.

By German Lopez
Politics
Tom Steyer said that California has eradicated private prisons. He’s wrong.Tom Steyer said that California has eradicated private prisons. He’s wrong.
Politics

A recently signed state law hasn’t phased out private prisons yet.

By Nicole Narea
Gun Violence
The father of a Parkland shooting victim was escorted out of the State of the Union addressThe father of a Parkland shooting victim was escorted out of the State of the Union address
Gun Violence

Fred Guttenberg reportedly protested Trump’s opposition to stricter gun laws.

By German Lopez
Politics
The rise in meth and cocaine overdoses, explainedThe rise in meth and cocaine overdoses, explained
Politics

America’s drug overdose crisis could be reaching a new phase.

By German Lopez
Politics
Drug overdose deaths fell in 2018 — but were still near record highsDrug overdose deaths fell in 2018 — but were still near record highs
Politics

It’s the first drop in overdose deaths in decades. But maybe don’t celebrate yet.

By German Lopez
Politics
Virginia’s historic gun control fight, explainedVirginia’s historic gun control fight, explained
Politics

Virginia Democrats are pushing to pass stronger gun control laws — and gun rights activists aren’t happy about it.

By German Lopez
Politics
Marijuana legalization is about to have a huge yearMarijuana legalization is about to have a huge year
Politics

At least 18 states stand to loosen their marijuana laws this year.

By German Lopez
Technology
AI can help find illegal opioid sellers online. And wildlife traffickers. And counterfeits.AI can help find illegal opioid sellers online. And wildlife traffickers. And counterfeits.
Technology

The government is investing in a tool to catch illegal sales online.

By Rebecca Heilweil
Explainers
The Virginia gun rights rally raising fears of violence, explainedThe Virginia gun rights rally raising fears of violence, explained
Explainers

Why an annual Lobby Day has resulted in a state of emergency and online calls for a civil war.

By Jane Coaston
Culture
Eminem’s new song “Darkness” tries to enter the mind of the Las Vegas shooterEminem’s new song “Darkness” tries to enter the mind of the Las Vegas shooter
Culture

The rapper’s surprise album, Music to Be Murdered By, features the harrowing gun control anthem at its center.

By Aja Romano
Explainers
The life and death of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, explainedThe life and death of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, explained
Explainers

How a money manager to the super-wealthy used his famous friends to avoid a prison sentence for molesting young girls.

By Anna North, Jane Coaston and 1 more