Violating

Sunlight Denied: Honolulu Police Commission Under Fire for Repeatedly Violating Transparency Laws

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Honolulu, Hawaii—The Honolulu Police Commission has once again found itself under scrutiny for non-compliance with Hawaii’s Sunshine Law, according to findings from the state Office of Information Practices (OIP). The law mandates transparency regarding the content discussed in executive sessions of public boards. This breach by the Honolulu Police Commission highlights recurring transparency issues concerning what is specifically being discussed behind closed doors, thus stifling public participation and oversight. State law clearly stipulates that prior to conducting private discussions on public matters, governmental bodies must disclose the topics of discussion to the public. However, the … Read more

European Human Rights Court Condemns Azerbaijan for Violating Lawyer’s Free Speech in Corruption Whistleblowing Case

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STRASBOURG, France — In a landmark ruling on Thursday, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) found Azerbaijan guilty of infringing on the freedom of expression of a lawyer who had been disbarred after lodging a corruption complaint against a legal consultancy’s director. This case has drawn widespread attention as it underscores the tension between national law practices and international human rights norms. The legal proceedings centered around Afgan Mammadov, a lawyer who faced disbarment as a repercussion for accusing the director of manipulating lawyer warrants and altering official records, actions that he deemed corrupt. … Read more

Former Louisville Officer Convicted for Violating Breonna Taylor’s Civil Rights in Landmark Federal Case

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Louisville, KY – In a landmark decision, former Louisville Metro Police Sergeant Brett Hankison was found guilty Friday of violating the civil rights of Breonna Taylor, which led to her death during a botched raid in March 2020. This verdict marks the first conviction against any of the officers involved in the case, following a tense federal trial that stretched over two weeks. The decision came after three days of deliberations at the U.S. District Court for Western Kentucky. Earlier in the day, as jurors struggled to reach a consensus, the presiding judge instructed them … Read more

Man Faces Aggravated DWI Charges After Driving Drunk with Child in Vehicle, Violating Leandra’s Law

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Riverhead, NY — In a troubling incident that underscores the dangers of impaired driving, a Riverhead man was arrested after he was caught driving under the influence of alcohol with a child in his car. The arrest occurred under the stringent provisions of Leandra’s Law, which penalizes driving intoxicated with passengers under the age of 16. Authorities reported that officers observed the driver exhibiting erratic behavior, leading to a traffic stop where the driver was identified as 34-year-old John Doe. Upon investigation, officers detected the odor of alcohol, and subsequent sobriety tests confirmed the driver’s … Read more