Law

Franklin Resident Sentenced to 40 Months in Prison for Violating Federal Firearms Law

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Franklin, Pennsylvania – A Franklin resident has been sentenced to 40 months in prison for violating federal firearms law. Philip John Dechant, a 40-year-old convicted felon, was found guilty of owning multiple firearms around April 2020, in violation of the law that prohibits convicted felons from possessing firearms or ammunition. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania reported that Dechant’s sentence was handed down on January 18. The investigation leading to his prosecution was conducted by the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Under federal law, it is illegal … Read more

Denver Judge Violated State Law by Dismissing Deaf Juror, Court Rules

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Denver, Colorado – A Denver County Court judge has been found to have violated state law by dismissing a hearing-impaired man from serving as a juror due to his disability, according to a ruling by a Denver District Court judge. The decision came in a lawsuit brought by Spencer Kontnik, an attorney specializing in disability law, against the Denver District Court. Despite the violation, the lawsuit was ultimately dismissed on the grounds that the court cannot be held liable for the judge’s decision and that the judge is protected by judicial immunity. Judge Judith Smith … Read more

New Hawaii Law Requires Transparency and Accountability in Police Use of Force

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HONOLULU, HAWAII – A new law took effect on January 1st, requiring all police agencies in Hawaii to have accessible written policies on the use of force. This legislation, known as Act 190, also allows these policies and related training to be presented as evidence in legal proceedings. The law mandates that law enforcement officers report instances of excessive force by their colleagues and receive training aimed at reducing the use of excessive force. Act 190 was signed into law by Governor Josh Green in July of the previous year. The bill, Senate Bill 151, … Read more

Texas Civil Rights Groups Seek Injunction to Halt Implementation of Controversial Immigration Enforcement Law

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Austin, Texas – The ACLU of Texas and the Texas Civil Rights Project have requested a federal judge to intervene and block the implementation of a new law in Texas that criminalizes unauthorized entry into the state. This legal action comes after the same groups previously filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the law, which was signed by Governor Greg Abbott last month. The law, known as Senate Bill 4, is set to take effect on March 5th. It grants local and state law enforcement the power to arrest and detain individuals suspected of … Read more