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SPLC says proposed panhandling ordinance is unconstitutional

A proposed Montgomery city ordinance that allows for the arrest of panhandlers in the city came under fire from the Southern Poverty Law Center on Wednesday. “We urge the Mayor to veto the ordinance because it both unfairly punishes people who are living in poverty and violates the First Amendment,” the SPLC said in a … Continued
July 11, 2019

If we’re indicting people who fail to protect children, Republican lawmakers should be terrified

I would like to report a whole bunch of crimes.  Murders, actually. Hundreds of murders.  I want every Republican legislator, at least the last two Republican governors and a handful of Democrats charged with killing a whole bunch of babies. Babies that they had a responsibility to care for.  Following the indictment of Marshae Jones … Continued
June 27, 2019

Marshall announces crackdown on illegal robocalls

Most Alabamians remember a time when the phone ringing meant that a friend was calling, there was a family emergency, or somebody needed to speak to us on an important business matter. In 2019 when the phone rings, more often than not, it is usually a foreign call center or a computer where the tape … Continued
June 26, 2019

Pickens County Sheriff to plead guilty to wire fraud and tax charges

Friday a federal indictment was unsealed against Pickens County Sheriff David Eugene Abston (R). Also that same day a plea agreement was filed and Abston resigned as Sheriff after forty years in law enforcement. The federal indictments for wire fraud and filing false tax returns were announced U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town, FBI Special Agent … Continued
June 14, 2019

Ivey signs civil asset forfeiture law

On Monday afternoon, Gov. Ivey signed into law the Alabama Forfeiture Information Reporting Act, which will shine a light on law enforcement’s often secretive use of civil forfeiture. Senate Bill 191, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, passed both the House and Senate unanimously during this year’s legislative session. Civil forfeiture is a practice that … Continued
June 13, 2019

Governor signs bill reforming Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed legislation Thursday that will reform the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles.   House Bill 380 is designed to increase the efficiency of the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles. This bill creates a Director of Pardons and Paroles, appointed by the governor, and provides strict rules and guidelines to … Continued
June 7, 2019

Alabama executes Christopher Lee Price

Thursday, the state of Alabama executed Christopher Lee Price by lethal injection for the 1991 murder of 57-year-old Pastor Bill Lynn with a sword. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey released a statement after being notified that the sentence had been carried out. “Ensuring the safety of the people who call Alabama home is of the highest … Continued
May 31, 2019

Civil asset forfeiture bill passes House, but is it enough?

On Thursday, the Alabama House passed Senate Bill 191 that would increase transparency around civil asset forfeiture in the state. It now moves to Gov. Kay Ivey’s desk for approval. “SB 191’s passage is a good first step toward bringing more transparency to Alabama’s civil asset forfeiture practices,” said Robyn Hyden, executive director of Alabama … Continued
May 31, 2019