Jail

$15 Million Awarded in Lawsuit After Utah Woman Dies from Dehydration in Jail

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DUCHESNE, Utah — In a landmark decision, a federal court jury in Utah has ordered Duchesne County to pay over $15 million in damages for the 2016 death of 21-year-old Madison Jensen, who succumbed to dehydration while withdrawing from opiates in the county jail. Jensen, a Roosevelt resident, tragically passed away on December 1, 2016, just four days after being detained for suspicion of heroin and marijuana possession. Her incarceration had been facilitated by her father who believed that jail might offer a route to necessary medical treatment following her release from a hospital emergency … Read more

Neglect Your Dog’s Walk or Fly a Kite Wrong? In India, That Could Mean Jail Time

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Delhi, India — Imagine being fined for not walking your dog or facing jail time for flying a kite in a way that alarms others. In India, such scenarios are not mere figments of imagination but potential legal realities stemming from the extensive criminalization inscribed in the nation’s vast assortment of federal laws. A new report by the Delhi-based think-tank, Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, sheds light on the bewildering scope of criminal offenses that punctuate the Indian legal system, emphasizing the country’s urgent issue of over-criminalization. The comprehensive study, titled “The State of the … Read more

Family Seeks Justice as Lawsuit Claims Neglect and Excessive Force in Huerfano County Jail Death

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Wuerfano County, Colo. – A lawsuit has been filed against multiple officials and entities in Huerfano County following the death of Michael Burch, a man who died while in custody at the Huerfano County jail. Burch, who was arrested on charges of menacing and harassment earlier in the year, reportedly exhibited signs of dementia, according to his attorney, Stephanie Wise. The incident began when two detention officers entered Burch’s cell after observing him holding a pencil. The officers, with tasers drawn, allegedly yelled at Burch to drop the pencil before physically confronting him. The altercation … Read more

Nevada’s DUI Dilemma: Local Leaders Discuss Efficiency of Current Laws, Jail vs. Treatment Options

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Las Vegas, Nevada – Nevada’s approach to handling driving under the influence (DUI) cases is undergoing scrutiny as officials, including the district attorney and the chief judge, discuss the effectiveness of the state’s laws. They are considering whether tweaks to jail time and treatment options could better address the issue, which affects numerous lives each year. The Silver State has long faced challenges in mitigating DUI-related incidents. With thousands of arrests annually for DUI, the impact on public safety is significant. Current laws mandate strict penalties, including fines, license suspension, and jail time which vary … Read more