Justin Gardner: A Federal Judge Just Shamed The DEA For Fabricating Sham Cases Trying To Justify War On Drugs

Entrapment, law enforcement's favorite tool.  Since the War on Drugs began in earnest under Nixon and Reagan, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has ruined millions of lives for nonviolent, victimless behavior. The DEA’s drug crusade is not limited to the homeland either, as it also has sole responsibility for pursing international  ... MORE

How Police Departments Target Which Assets to Seize

by Shaila Dewan.    See the Harry S. Connelly Jr. video! The seminars offered police officers some useful tips on seizing property from suspected criminals. Don’t bother with jewelry (too hard to dispose of) and computers (“everybody’s got one already”), the experts counseled. Do go after flat screen TVs, cash and cars. Especially nice cars.   ... MORE 

Bob Egelko: Bad News For Targets Of Federal 'Stings'

Federal judges legalize entrapment.     Police powers expanded at the citizen's expense. A prominent liberal judge, joined by a conservative colleague, had some harsh words Friday about far-reaching government sting operations and the courts that approve them. It can’t have been good news for the defense in another undercover case, the      ... MORE

Prostitution Precrime? Government Presumes Intentions

by Elizabeth Nolan Brown.     A woman waiting on a street corner. A woman in a tight dress. A woman who speaks to someone walking by, waves to a passing car, looks at you too long. Are there clear, unambiguous meanings to these things? Of course not—they could be the actions of someone selling sex, or of someone waiting for a     ... MORE