criminal justice system

Over the past four years during my travels and speaking events over the state, the most asked question posed to me has been, “Why in the world is Mike Hubbard not in jail?” It was four years ago in June 2016 that the Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives, Mike Hubbard, was convicted by … Continued

Police officers, sheriffs and district attorneys do heroic work every day to lock up criminals and keep our streets and neighborhoods safe. Yet many parts of our criminal justice system are broken, and layers of bureaucracy and a thicket of self-serving fees and outdated rules create barriers for people who have already paid their debt … Continued

Innocent until proven guilty is heralded as a rightful standard in the United States criminal justice system, but when it comes to civil asset forfeiture, the standard seemingly flips to the opposite. Under Alabama’s civil asset forfeiture policies, police are able to seize personal property from citizens without a criminal charge or conviction if they … Continued

The senator largely responsible for rewriting many of Alabama’s antiquated sentencing laws and who has led an effort to reform Alabama’s prisons will again chair the Alabama Senate’s Judiciary Committee. Sen. Cam Ward, R-Alabaster, was selected to chair the powerful committee responsible for oversight of Alabama’s criminal justice system. Ward, who has served in the … Continued

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter The Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday gave a favorable report to a bill that would decrease the criminal penalties for marijuana possession. Senate Bill 251, sponsored by Sen. Dick Brewbaker, R-Montgomery, would reclassify the possession of 1 ounce of less of marijuana as a fine-only offense. It would also … Continued

By Sen. Cam Ward Life has its ups and downs. Sometimes only when we get outside of our own little bubble and experience something different can we truly appreciate all the challenges the world can offer. If we choose to hide our faces from uncomfortable subjects, it can lead to a much more narrow view … Continued

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter On Tuesday, July 14 Alabama Governor Robert Bentley (R) testified before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee to highlight Alabama’s prison reform efforts.  While touting the state’s progress towards reforming the Corrections System in Alabama, Gov. Bentley told the Committee that, “The success of the Prison Reform Bill hinges … Continued