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Determining The Retroactive Effect Of Laws Altering The Consequences Of Criminal Convictions, Nancy Morawetz Jan 2003

Determining The Retroactive Effect Of Laws Altering The Consequences Of Criminal Convictions, Nancy Morawetz

Fordham Urban Law Journal

This Article explores when laws altering the consequences of conviction can retroactively apply. It traces the roots of the current emphasis on plea agreements to the current confusion about how to determine retroactivity in cases involving quasi-economic transactions and those involving wrongful conduct. Using I.N.S. v. St. Cyr, 533 U.S. 298 (2001), it focuses on the open issue of the date against which new legal consequences are measured. Finally, the Article argues that reliance is an improper indicia of retroactivity for laws governing wrongful conduct and that the proper question is whether the offender had fair notice of the degree …


Abusing State Power Or Controlling Risk?: Sex Offender Commitment And Sicherungverwahrung, Nora V. Demleitner Jan 2003

Abusing State Power Or Controlling Risk?: Sex Offender Commitment And Sicherungverwahrung, Nora V. Demleitner

Fordham Urban Law Journal

This article addresses civil commitment of sexually predatory offenders. It first outlines the most common American approaches to controlling sexual offenders, then details the German concept of Sicherungsverwahrung and greater state control, and finally proposes adopting a modified German approach that assures proportionality and public safety without sacrificing individual liberties. The article concludes by arguing that criminal penalties and safety-based detention should both be seen as elements of social control, which requires that safety measures with clearly punitive components be recognized as part of the punishment process.


An Effective Drug Policy To Protect America's Youth And Communities, Asa Hutchinson Jan 2003

An Effective Drug Policy To Protect America's Youth And Communities, Asa Hutchinson

Fordham Urban Law Journal

Drug abuse and addiction, and the government's response to these problems, are frequently and appropriately a topic for public debate. Law enforcement has made significant advances in both reducing the number of people using illegal drugs and in the fight against traffickers. Legalization of illegal drugs would not elinate the black market or eliminate drug-related violence. The facts on the issue make a strong case for a national policy geared toward effective drug abuse education and prevention, and treatment for people dependent on illegal drugs. Our nation should also continue to conduct research to determine the most effective means of …


Snapshots: Holistice Images Of Female Offenders In The Criminal Justice System, Jennifer Ward Jan 2003

Snapshots: Holistice Images Of Female Offenders In The Criminal Justice System, Jennifer Ward

Fordham Urban Law Journal

This Essay attempts to pull together the various threads of thought regarding the relationships between gender, race, and class within the justice system, and suggests possible patterns that could be used to create holistic images of female offenders. Part I provides a brief overview of the various explanations used over time to account for criminal behavior by women. Part II details the ways in which gender can affect the processes of the criminal justice system. Part III discusses the impact that race can have on the female offender's experience in the system. Part IV briefly overviews the types of influences …


Theorizing Community Justice Through Community Courts, Jeffrey Fagan, Victoria Malkin Jan 2003

Theorizing Community Justice Through Community Courts, Jeffrey Fagan, Victoria Malkin

Fordham Urban Law Journal

This article reports on research conducted on the Red Hook Community Justice Center in Brooklyn, New York. It theorizes the structure and process of community justice, focusing on the model offered by community courts and examining how the Red Hook Community Justice Center's development and implementation are products of its immersion in the intersection of societal, spatial, and political dynamic within the Red Hook neighborhood. The article begins by reviewing the sociological perspectives that converge in the historical development of "community justice." It continues by setting forth a framework of social regulation and control that shapes the internal workings of …


Due Process And Problem Solving Courts, Eric Lane Jan 2003

Due Process And Problem Solving Courts, Eric Lane

Fordham Urban Law Journal

This article addresses the model of the problem-solving courts, beginning with the 1989 Dade County, Florida drug court and the role of the pro-active problem solving judge as presented by Judge Lederman of the Dade County drug court. The article reviews the role of the pro-active problem-solving judge in light of the defendants due process rights. After reviewing several case studies, transcripts, and literature on the issue, the article concludes that problem-solving judging and lawyering need not be in conflict with due process standards.


Just The (Unweildy, Hard To Gether, But Nonetheless Essential) Facts, Ma'am: What We Know And Don't Know About Problem-Solving Courts, Greg Berman, Anne Gulick Jan 2003

Just The (Unweildy, Hard To Gether, But Nonetheless Essential) Facts, Ma'am: What We Know And Don't Know About Problem-Solving Courts, Greg Berman, Anne Gulick

Fordham Urban Law Journal

This article asses what is known and what remains to be understood about problem-solving courts. Specifically, the article asserts that drug courts serve a needy population, court mandated treatment programs have higher retention rates, those who participate longer have better outcomes, those in drug courts had lower rates of recidivism, drug use, and that graduated sanctions have statistically significant impact on offenders behavior, sanctions are crucial to the model's effectiveness, post-program studies are sparse, drug courts are less costly than traditional adjudication, but cost savings for jail and prison beds are less clear. The article also addresses questions that remain …


The Fordham Urban Law Journal: A New Millennium, Constantine N. Katsoris Jan 2003

The Fordham Urban Law Journal: A New Millennium, Constantine N. Katsoris

Fordham Urban Law Journal

A general overview of the journal's progress and publications.


Starting Over With A Clean Slate: In Praise Of A Forgotten Section Of The Model Penal Code, Margaret Colgate Love Jan 2003

Starting Over With A Clean Slate: In Praise Of A Forgotten Section Of The Model Penal Code, Margaret Colgate Love

Fordham Urban Law Journal

Convicted felons have no realistic hope of full reintegration into society when jurisdictions do not provide for eventual removal of collateral penalties and when relief mechanisms are insufficient or ineffective. Because Americans are uncomfortable with such an unforgiving system and states are considering the economic burdens of such a system, jurisdictions should take steps to limit the scope and duration of these collateral consequences. This Article proposes a legal framework aimed to fully reintegrate an offender into society post incarceration. It urges a return to the reforms of the 1960s and 70s, the ABA Standards on Collateral Sanctions, and Section …


It Takes A Region , Angela Glover Blackwell Jan 2003

It Takes A Region , Angela Glover Blackwell

Fordham Urban Law Journal

Suburbanization and sprawl present new issues and challenges of regional inequity and equal opportunity. As awareness of the effects of the impacts of uneven and unhealthy development patterns grow, the debate for dealing with the fallout of sprawl is being taken up and policy agenda is emerging to address smart growth. With the emergence of the region rather than the city as the dominant economic and social geographic unit and key policy changes, the article propounds that the mistakes of the past fifty years can be reversed and regional equity achieved. The article makes it clear that life changes are …


Life, Liberty, And The Pursuit Of Terrorists: An In-Depth Analysis Of The Government's Right To Classify United States Citizens Suspected Of Terrorism As Enemy Combatants And Try Those Enemy Combatants By Military Comission, Amanda Schaffer Jan 2003

Life, Liberty, And The Pursuit Of Terrorists: An In-Depth Analysis Of The Government's Right To Classify United States Citizens Suspected Of Terrorism As Enemy Combatants And Try Those Enemy Combatants By Military Comission, Amanda Schaffer

Fordham Urban Law Journal

This Comment explores the government's right to treat citizens as enemy combatants and whether their trials should be by military commissions or by the non-military criminal justice system. It gives background information and explains the source of the government's right to determine enemy combatant status and to use military commissions. This Comment also describes the distinctions between a military trial and a regular criminal trial and explains the status of two cases regarding American citizens declared to be enemy combatants. The Comment goes on to explain why the government wants to use military commissions to try terrorists and the advantages …


Statutory Limitations On Civil Rights Of People With Criminal Records, Debbie A. Mukamal, Paul N. Samuels Jan 2003

Statutory Limitations On Civil Rights Of People With Criminal Records, Debbie A. Mukamal, Paul N. Samuels

Fordham Urban Law Journal

State and federal statutory restrictions limit the civil rights of individuals with criminal records and create a barrier to reentry into society. The article explores eight specific areas of restriction: (1) ability to obtain employment, (2) eligibility for public housing, (3) eligibility for public assistance and food stamps, (4) eligibility for student loans, (5) access to records for non-criminal justice purposes, (6) voting rights, (7) drivers' licenses privileges, and (8) rights to be foster and adoptive parents. Finally, the article argues that the government has an obligation ensure fairness and opportunities to reenter society for people with such records.


Barred From The Vote: Public Attitudes Toward The Disenfranchisement Of Felons, Brian Pinaire, Milton Heumann, Laura Bilotta Jan 2003

Barred From The Vote: Public Attitudes Toward The Disenfranchisement Of Felons, Brian Pinaire, Milton Heumann, Laura Bilotta

Fordham Urban Law Journal

This article explores public attitudes toward the disenfranchisement of felons. Using survey research methods -- Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing of 503 randomly selected adults -- the authors posed questions related to the purpose of the criminal justice system, public attitudes about treatment and punishment of felons, and public support for the disenfranchisement of felons. The data is aggregated and sorted based on ethnicity, gender, political affiliation, and education. The data demonstrates that the American public does not support permanent disenfranchisement of convicted felons but that it does support some limitations. The authors first review state laws and legal/political issues implicated, …


Reciprocal Effects Of Crime And Incarceration In New York City Neighborhoods, Jeffrey Fagan, Valerie West, Jan Holland Jan 2003

Reciprocal Effects Of Crime And Incarceration In New York City Neighborhoods, Jeffrey Fagan, Valerie West, Jan Holland

Fordham Urban Law Journal

This Article identifies and estimates the ecological dynamics of increasing spatial and social concentration of incarcerated individuals in urban neighborhoods using data from New York City between 1985 and 1997. It argues that this dynamic becomes self-sustaining and reinforcing over time. In conclusion, the Article discusses how high incarceration rates impact the relationships between citizens and the law, directly affecting residents and influencing policy preferences of non-residents.


La Bodega De La Familia: Supporting Parolees' Reintegration Within A Family Context, Jeanne Flavin, David Rosenthal Jan 2003

La Bodega De La Familia: Supporting Parolees' Reintegration Within A Family Context, Jeanne Flavin, David Rosenthal

Fordham Urban Law Journal

This essay discusses how Family Justice and La Bodega de la Familia respond to the diverse challenges of reintegration post incarceration. It also discusses the benefits of a model of judicial supervision that recognizes individuals' social locations within their families and communities. With the goal of producing more effective and humane prisoner reintegration, especially in the context of drug offenses, the Authors recommend family case management. They additionally encourage parole and criminal justice practice to shift its focus from the individual parolee to families and their strengths.


Are Collateral Sanctions Premised On Conduct Or Conviction?: The Case Of Abortion Doctors, Gabriel J. Chin Jan 2003

Are Collateral Sanctions Premised On Conduct Or Conviction?: The Case Of Abortion Doctors, Gabriel J. Chin

Fordham Urban Law Journal

Traditionally, collateral sanctions are viewed as civil measures designed to prevent undue risk by proven lawbreakers. If a collateral sanction were a criminal penalty instead, that would trigger constitutional provisions like the Ex Post Facto Clause, which would mean the sanction could not be imposed retroactively. This Article argues that collateral sanctions based on conduct and not conviction indicate a civil regulatory measure, but that when the sanctions only apply in the event of conviction, the sanction looks more like punishment. Conviction is not the only way to show risky conduct, and it is the conduct that civil sanctions should …


Damage To Family Relationships As A Collateral Consequence Of Parental Incarceration, Philip M. Genty Jan 2003

Damage To Family Relationships As A Collateral Consequence Of Parental Incarceration, Philip M. Genty

Fordham Urban Law Journal

A review of available statistical information shows the irreversible and detrimental impact on parents and children of family separation due to imprisonment. Specifically, it looks to data on parental incarceration, the impact of incarceration upon families, and the difficulties of remedying the consequences to families of parental incarceration. Finally, the Article argues that alternatives to imprisonment should be used where the parent is not subject to high security confinement and that the parental role should be a relevant factor in sentencing.


Transformative Criminal Defense Practice: Truth, Love, And Individual Rights- The Innovative Approach Of The Georgia Justice Project, Douglas Ammar, Tosha Downey Jan 2003

Transformative Criminal Defense Practice: Truth, Love, And Individual Rights- The Innovative Approach Of The Georgia Justice Project, Douglas Ammar, Tosha Downey

Fordham Urban Law Journal

Georgia Justice Project has a unique approach to criminal defense and rehabilitation which is based on a relationship and community-oriented ethic. Focused on only accepting clients who are willing to make a serious commitment to changing their lives, the GJP ensures that the client moves beyond social, emotional and personal challenges that contributed to their legal problems. This article describes the unique factors of the GJP that have contributed to its continued success.


"Forgive Me Victim For I Have Sinned": Why Repentance And The Criminal Justice System Do Not Mix - A Lesson From Jewish Law, Cheryl G. Bader Jan 2003

"Forgive Me Victim For I Have Sinned": Why Repentance And The Criminal Justice System Do Not Mix - A Lesson From Jewish Law, Cheryl G. Bader

Fordham Urban Law Journal

This essay will critique the Georgia Justice Project's encouragement of confessions in the context of the secular American justice system via comparison with the treatment of confessions under ancient Jewish law. Specifically, this essay posits that the absolute prohibition on the use of confessions in a legal system firmly rooted in religious values recognizes the danger inherent in combining the act of speaking of one's sins for religious penance with the use of such confessions in the criminal adjudication process. The Jewish legal system avoids these inherent dangers by completely devaluing the accused's confession. The GJP, in contrast, merges the …


The Fordham Law Drug Policy Reform Project: America's Oldest War: The Efficacy Of United States Drug Policy, John Nicholas Iannuzzi, Graham Boyd, Asa Hutchinson Jan 2003

The Fordham Law Drug Policy Reform Project: America's Oldest War: The Efficacy Of United States Drug Policy, John Nicholas Iannuzzi, Graham Boyd, Asa Hutchinson

Fordham Urban Law Journal

The Fordham Law Drug Policy Reform Project planned and executed the debate, "America's Oldest War: The Efficacy of United States Drug Policy," on April 23, 2002 at the end of the organization's first year. The goal of the debate was to bring to one forum the leading voices at both ends of the drug policy spectrum. Professor John Nicholas Iannuzzi moderated, giving each speaker three minutes to answer each question from the floor. Over one hundred and twenty professionals, students, and community members attended the debate.


Engaging The Debate: Reform Vs. More Of The Same, Kevin B. Zeese Jan 2003

Engaging The Debate: Reform Vs. More Of The Same, Kevin B. Zeese

Fordham Urban Law Journal

This Essay dispels common myths put forward by drug war advocates and describes more effective alternatives available than present policy contemplates. We all want to prevent adolescent drug abuse, protect the health and safety of the community, deny drug profits to terrorists and other criminals, and develop a drug policy that works and is based on our common humanity, as well as on research and reality, rather than myth and rhetoric. The essential paradigm shift that needs to occur is to move away from a policy dominated by law enforcement . . . and toward a policy based on public …


Report Of The Task Force On The Use Of Criminal Sanctions To The King County Bar Association Board Of Trustees Jan 2003

Report Of The Task Force On The Use Of Criminal Sanctions To The King County Bar Association Board Of Trustees

Fordham Urban Law Journal

The King County formed the Task Force on the Use of Criminal Sanctions as part of the King County Bar Association's Drug Policy Project to examine current criminal sanctions related to the non-medical use of drugs both in Washington and on the federal level. The founders charged the Task Force with the goal of assessing the effectiveness of criminal sanctions in reducing both illegal drug use and drug-related crime, and assessing the public costs associated with the use of criminal sanctions. The Task Force drew specific conclusions regarding the state response to drug use and the provision of drug addiction …


You Have A Right To Remain Silent, Michael Avery Jan 2003

You Have A Right To Remain Silent, Michael Avery

Fordham Urban Law Journal

The Supreme Court will decide in the October 2002 term whether there is a cause of action under 42 U.S.C. Section 1983 based on a coercive police interrogation of a suspect in custody who has not been given Miranda warnings. The Supreme Court cannot decide that there is no cause of action under section 1983 for damages caused by coercive interrogation practices without turning its back on a large body of its own jurisprudence and on the deeply rooted cultural and political expectations of American citizens who trust that they have a meaningfu lconstitutionally protected right to remain silent when …


The Failure Of Local And Federal Prosecutors To Curb Police Brutality, Asit S. Panwala Jan 2003

The Failure Of Local And Federal Prosecutors To Curb Police Brutality, Asit S. Panwala

Fordham Urban Law Journal

Although police departments across the country have attempted to ameliorate the hostility between police officers and the cumminity, through careful screening of applicants, minority recruitment, and community policing, police brutality remains a problem within our urban cities. This Essay will first argue that police brutality is largely ignored. Second, it will examine the obstacles facing local and federal prosecutors in obtaining convictions. Then it will compare the advantages and disadvantages of delegating primary responsibility for these cases to the state versus the federal level. Finally, it will argue that, although there are obstacles and advantages for both local and federal …


Arrested Adults Awaiting Arraignment: Mental Health, Substance Abuse, And Criminal Justice Characteristics And Needs, Nahama Broner, Stacy S. Lamon, Damon W. Mayrl, Martin G. Karopkin Jan 2003

Arrested Adults Awaiting Arraignment: Mental Health, Substance Abuse, And Criminal Justice Characteristics And Needs, Nahama Broner, Stacy S. Lamon, Damon W. Mayrl, Martin G. Karopkin

Fordham Urban Law Journal

This Study is one of the first to look at the mentally ill during the pre-arraignment process. The pre-arraignment process is an excellent place to identify individuals with mental health and substance abuse problems, to examine those problems, to consider legal interventions, such as diversion or routing to specialized courts, for instance, drug and mental health courts, and to plan for community mental health, substance abuse, health, and social service interventions. Following a brief review of the literature on rates of substance abuse and mental health problems for ciminal justice populations, the process from arrest to arraignment in Kings County …


Due Process And Problem Solving Courts, Eric Lane Jan 2003

Due Process And Problem Solving Courts, Eric Lane

Fordham Urban Law Journal

This article addresses the model of the problem-solving courts, beginning with the 1989 Dade County, Florida drug court and the role of the pro-active problem solving judge as presented by Judge Lederman of the Dade County drug court. The article reviews the role of the pro-active problem-solving judge in light of the defendants due process rights. After reviewing several case studies, transcripts, and literature on the issue, the article concludes that problem-solving judging and lawyering need not be in conflict with due process standards.


Just The (Unweildy, Hard To Gether, But Nonetheless Essential) Facts, Ma'am: What We Know And Don't Know About Problem-Solving Courts, Greg Berman, Anne Gulick Jan 2003

Just The (Unweildy, Hard To Gether, But Nonetheless Essential) Facts, Ma'am: What We Know And Don't Know About Problem-Solving Courts, Greg Berman, Anne Gulick

Fordham Urban Law Journal

This article asses what is known and what remains to be understood about problem-solving courts. Specifically, the article asserts that drug courts serve a needy population, court mandated treatment programs have higher retention rates, those who participate longer have better outcomes, those in drug courts had lower rates of recidivism, drug use, and that graduated sanctions have statistically significant impact on offenders behavior, sanctions are crucial to the model's effectiveness, post-program studies are sparse, drug courts are less costly than traditional adjudication, but cost savings for jail and prison beds are less clear. The article also addresses questions that remain …


Therapeutic Jurisprudence And Problem Solving Courts, Bruce J. Winick Jan 2003

Therapeutic Jurisprudence And Problem Solving Courts, Bruce J. Winick

Fordham Urban Law Journal

This article offers a number of suggestions concerning how judges should act in problem solving court contexts to spark the motivation of the individual to achieve rehabilitation and increase compliance with treatment. The proposals are derived from psychological literature in other contexts but further analysis and empirical research is needed. The article finds that therapeutic jurisprudence can contribute to the functioning of problem solving courts which can refine therapeutic jurisprudence approaches.


Homeless Legal Advocacy: New Challenges And Directions For The Future, L. Hafetz Jan 2003

Homeless Legal Advocacy: New Challenges And Directions For The Future, L. Hafetz

Fordham Urban Law Journal

This Article examines the role of lawyers for homeless people. It argues that while even the most zealous legal advocacy cannot alone solve homelessness, it remains an important tool because of the assistance it provides to individuals, its impact on broader legal rules, and its potential role in shaping public perception and debate. The Article also maintains that legal advocacy works best when combined with a holistic approach that addresses homeless clients' non-legal needs, such as housing placement, case management, medical and psychiatric care, job training, and substance abuse counseling. It further argues that, to the extent possible, lawyers for …


The Fordham Urban Law Journal: Twenty Years Of Progress, Constantine N. Katsoris Jan 2003

The Fordham Urban Law Journal: Twenty Years Of Progress, Constantine N. Katsoris

Fordham Urban Law Journal

An overview of different topics covered by the journal throughout the years.