Articles
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Criminal Justice
Cherokee Nation entity linked to child trafficking
Unaccompanied minors who illegally enter the United States are being released to child traffickers by the U.S. government—and a business arm of the Cherokee Nation is facilitating this “taxpayer-funded child slavery,” according to whistleblower testimony provided to members of the U.S. Senate.Ray Carter | July 24, 2024
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Criminal Justice
Child rapist who spurred McGirt decision set to go free
Oklahoma has “a two-tiered system of justice now, depending on your race.”Jonathan Small | May 20, 2024
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Criminal Justice
With child rapist set to walk free, Stitt warns of ‘two-tiered’ justice system in Oklahoma
The child rapist whose case led to the U.S. Supreme Court effectively re-establishing Indian reservations across eastern Oklahoma is set to walk out of prison a free man, something that would have never happened if his original trial as an Oklahoman in state court had been allowed to stand.Ray Carter | May 3, 2024
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Criminal Justice
Oklahoma’s proposed commutation rules unwise
On the whole, Oklahoma’s commutation process has worked well for many years. The proposed rules from the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board are completely unnecessary and counterproductive. They should be shelved and the current system maintained.Jonathan Small | February 5, 2024
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Criminal Justice
If this doesn’t scream ‘due-process violation,’ I don’t know what does
Our state has a history of political corruption, and the judiciary is no exception, but the ineptitude our highest court often displays is staggering. Well, it turns out the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals is in the same boat.Ryan Haynie | July 20, 2023
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Criminal Justice
Governor Stitt should veto HB 2153
While some possession offenders may be high-risk and/or high-need, many are simply neither. Governor Stitt should veto HB 2153 so the legislature can continue to be smart on crimeJonathan Small & Ryan Haynie | May 17, 2023
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Criminal Justice
Oklahoma judges have limited role in sentencing
There are pros and cons to federal and state systems. Policymakers should understand the back seat Oklahoma judges play in sentencing when they are considering changes to the criminal code. But current legislation may make it possible to add more judicial discretion and shift power from prosecutors to judges.Ryan Haynie | April 17, 2023
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Criminal Justice
Lawmakers look to bolster defense for abused & raped women
Domestic abuse would be a mitigating factor that could lead to a reduced sentence for women who kill a boyfriend or husband under legislation approved by the Oklahoma House of Representatives.Ray Carter | March 22, 2023
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Criminal Justice
Oklahoma should invest in services, not prisons
It’s time to move past the solutions of the ‘90s that resulted in one of the highest incarceration rates in the world and look to new (and cheaper) solutionsRyan Haynie | January 9, 2023
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Criminal Justice
Experts say more police, diversion programs, can lower crime
Experts told lawmakers they can reduce both incarcerations and crime rates by, in part, increasing the number of police on the street and boosting the use of diversion programs for lower-tier offenders.Ray Carter | September 16, 2022