NC Chamber’s Post

The United States District Court for the Western District Of Michigan issued a decision last week approving a plan which redraws the boundaries of 13 Michigan State election districts. These state-drawn districts each have a “winner” for offices in federal elections. This is what the news media is referring to, for example, when providing projections or updates on an election night, in noting the percentage of “districts reporting.” Over the last two years, the federal court in this case has dealt with complicated issues at the intersection of (a) Michigan state law and its execution by Michigan state officials and (b) guarantees afforded by the U.S Constitution. States like Michigan are often afforded significant latitude in conducting the business of elections. However, state conduct – here, with respect to elections – can impinge on federally guaranteed rights, afforded either by specific federal statutes or the language of the Constitution as it has been interpreted and applied. In those instances, impacted parties have the ability and the right to sue the State of Michigan and/or any of its many subdivisions and agencies in federal court to seek vindication of those rights.  Here, at issue was the racially discriminatory impact of how the districts were drawn. Moss & Colella, P.C. regularly represents the federal civil rights of parties impacted by the action or inaction of state actors in both the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan and Western District . Our representative clients include prisoners who have been harmed, sometimes killed, while in custody, and citizens who have been subjected to excess use of force by police. We also regularly represent employees who have been unlawfully discriminated against by adverse employment action because they are members of a protected class in violation of various federal statutes.  We can help you understand the merits of your civil rights claim, any procedures you may need to exhaust to preserve those claims, and advise on whether such claims are more effectively brought in state or federal court David Moss A. Vince Colella Ryan Piekarski Melanie Duda Matthew McCann Emilia K.   #plaintiffslaw #civillitigation #civilrights #employmentlaw

Population changes over the last decade, and politics over multiple decades, has led to a an inefficient and not fully accessible statewide system. Access to the courts is a fundamental right the #msleg is charged with ensuring by our Constitution. #courts #judiciary #lawyers #constitution #workingpicture Legislature begins process of redrawing state chancery, circuit court districts https://lnkd.in/exxGjr8Y

We need to have a public debate on the merits and impacts of consent decrees imposed by the Civil Rights Division at the US Department of Justice (DOJ). DOJ will not discuss or comment on its pattern-or-practice investigations until it is ready to hold a national press conference to reveal their findings. This leaves cities and their communities in the dark. DOJ will not talk about consent decrees until after a city has agreed to sign them. In between press conferences, DOJ uses surrogates to get their message out. These are normally former DOJ officials who will give the party line without any accountability. These surrogates will attack anyone who dares to question DOJ's motives or tactics. It is time to pull the curtain back and reveal what DOJ is really doing behind the scenes. The public needs to understand the political motivations propelling DOJ investigations and DOJ needs to be held accountable for their false and defamatory statements about local police departments and city administrations. Sunlight is the best disinfectant and DOJ needs to have the spotlight turned on them. If DOJ is going to claim that police departments have a pattern-or-practice of unconstitutional policing, then DOJ must be prepared to provide the evidence to support such claims. Cities should follow Phoenix's example and demand to see the evidence before entering into any agreement or consent decree with the DOJ. I have been talking to Phoenix about what happens during a DOJ investigation and the impacts of DOJ consent decrees. I use facts and evidence to support my arguments as well as my first-hand experience working with DOJ in Seattle. I am not motivated by politics as the DOJ surrogates claim and neither is Phoenix. If DOJ wants to place Phoenix and other cities under a consent decree, then they need to provide the evidence to support such a drastic and costly action. I am willing to debate the DOJ (or their surrogates) anywhere anytime. Let's have an open and honest discussion about what is actually happening in cities operating under federal oversight and let’s do a cost-benefit analysis to see if it is worth it. More importantly, let's look for more effective alternatives to the costly and ineffective consent decree industrial complex. #police #policereform #policemisconduct #policeaccountability #policeofficer #policeofficers #lawenforcement #lawenforcementofficer #policedepartment #policechief #criminaljustice #criminaljusticereform #doj #departmentofjustice #attorneygeneral #civilrights #constitution #constitutionalrights #publicsafety #crimeprevention #citycouncil #federalgovernment #federal #lawsuit #phoenix #phoenixaz #phoenixarizona #arizona #sheriff #minneapolis #minneapolismn #louisville #louisvilleky #minnesota #kentucky #baltimore #cleveland #neworleans #seattle #portland #albuquerque #mayor https://lnkd.in/dpkHCFxu

I strongly believe in the importance of second chances. It is crucial that we do not condemn individuals to their past mistakes indefinitely once they have served their time. The ripple effects of recidivism go beyond just the offenders themselves, and by denying people opportunities for redemption, we only perpetuate this cycle. I think this bill is a step in the right direction. The Clean Slate bill🧾 aims to leverage technology to automatically clear charges that did not result in convictions. This is a significant stride towards granting ex-offenders a fresh start. I would love to hear your thoughts 💭 on this legislation... https://lnkd.in/e7n3Sxnf

Most police officers lack the appropriate education in history, civics and social studies needed to understand racial dynamics in society today through an informed lens of historical context. This is a key problem since law enforcement officers also engage all facets of the community across the socio-economic spectrum. Yet, they have little or no training as Community Engagement Specialists. This is the work we do at https://lnkd.in/guwB439h (commongroundconversations-dot-com)

ENJOY HIS CHALLENGE - “If this election isn’t won, I’m not sure that you’ll ever have another election in this country....If I don’t get elected, it’s going to be a bloodbath ... It’s going to be a bloodbath for the country!" - said 45 "The 'strongman' is really the weak man: his secret is that he makes everyone else weaker. Unaccountable to the law and to voters, the dictator has no reason to consider anything beyond his own personal interests." - Professor Timothy Snyder, YALE 1. To enrich himself and to stay out of prison, the 'strongman' dismantles the justice system and replaces civil servants with loyalists. 2. When you vote a 'strongman' in, you vote out the rule of law. In court, only loyalism and wealth will matter. 3. The new bureaucrats will have no sense of accountability. Citizens who want access will learn to pay bribes. Bureaucrats in office thanks to patronage will be corrupt, and citizens will be desperate. Quickly the corruption becomes normal, even unquestioned. 4. Those who wear the uniform must either resign or become the enforcers of the whims of the 'strongman'. 5. Everybody (except the 'strongman' and his family and friends) gets poorer. The market system depends upon competition. Under a 'strongman', there will be no such thing. The 'strongman's' clan will be favored by government. 6. In the fantasy of the 'strongman', politics vanishes and all is clear and bright. In fact, a dreary politics penetrates everything. 7. You think about what you say, since it can be used against you later. What you do on the internet is recorded forever, and can land you in prison. 8. Public space closes down around you. You cannot escape to the bar or the bowling alley, since everything you say is monitored. 9. Denunciation becomes normal behavior. Without law and voting, denouncing others helps people to feel safe. 10. If you have a heart attack and go to the hospital, you have to worry that your name is on a list. Care of elderly parents is suddenly in jeopardy. 11. In the 'strongman' fantasy, no one thinks about children. But fear around children is the essence of dictatorial power. Even courageous people restrain themselves to protect their children. 12. Schools collapse anyway, since a dictator only wants myths that justify his power. Children learn in school to denounce one another. Each coming generation must be more tame and ignorant than the prior one. 13. In a dictatorship, parents no longer say what they think to their children, because they fear that their children will repeat it in public. And once parents no longer speak their minds at home, they can no longer create a trusting family. 14. Most likely you won’t be killed or be required to kill. But amid the dreariness of life under dictatorship is dark responsibility for others’ death. 15. Once this process begins, it is hard to stop - Steve https://lnkd.in/gVR9r_4Z... (March 16, in Ohio. Jeff Dean | AP Photo)

Politics is local and elections matter, especially with regards to criminal justice and incarceration issues. Empower yourself and your community through the ballot. https://lnkd.in/e_UyTWj3

The base pay of a district judge in Texas (to which other judicial salaries are tied) is currently $140,000. It has not been adjusted since 2013. To compare, the base pay for judges in California and Florida is $225,074 and $182,060, respectively. Read more in the Advocate: https://bit.ly/3ru6jlX #judges #courts

🗳️ Why Impacted Citizens Should Vote 🗳️ Impacted citizens are directly affected by policies on criminal justice, employment, healthcare, transportation and education. Voting empowers individuals to elect representatives who will advocate for their needs. Research shows that civic engagement, including voting, can reduce the likelihood of re-offending by fostering a sense of belonging in society. In Michigan, incarcerated individuals awaiting sentencing have the constitutional right to vote via absentee ballot. Michigan, don't forget to exercise your right to vote in the primaries on Tuesday! Every voice matters, and every vote counts. For more information visit FAIR Voting Alliance!🇺🇸 #VotingRights #MichiganVotes #GetOutTheVote #Primaries2024

As we enter this election year, many of us are reflecting on the meaning and promise of democracy. Top of mind issues include voting rights, free and fair elections, candidate integrity, and the freedom of the press. So, too, should be criminal legal system reform. Because the rule of law is a hallmark of a healthy democracy, the manner in which our criminal legal system is administered is critical. At the Innocence Project, we work hard everyday to increase access to justice and, in so doing, we uphold fundamental democratic values. Just last year, the Innocence Project, relying on the courts and, in some cases, partnering with elected prosecutors from across the political spectrum, secured the freedom or exoneration of nine people. We also partnered with our Network colleagues to pass more than 10 critical reforms in state legislatures to prevent wrongful convictions and create fair, compassionate, and equitable systems of justice for everyone. In recent years, we have seen an inspiring array of bipartisan movements driving policies and practices that promote integrity in the criminal legal system and buttress our democracy. That said, we have also seen fundamentally anti-democratic efforts — including arbitrary, unilateral decision-making by judges and governors — that reduce transparency, fairness, and the participatory nature of our criminal legal system processes. Robert Kennedy once said, “justice delayed is democracy denied.” Therefore, our electoral decisions this year (and every year) must be informed by a meaningful understanding of political candidates’ positions on criminal legal system reform issues and supported by a demonstrated commitment to upholding the rule of law in our criminal courts. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eb-pe4KB