Today we celebrate Public Defense Day and the vital role public defenders play in upholding due process in the criminal legal system. #PublicDefenseDay

Crime fell again in 2025 and new data shows the decline is part of a broader downward trend following the pandemic-era spike. Read our latest blog about what the numbers actually show and why the long-term trend matters for policy: idueprocess.org/blog/f/the-d...

🤩Great hosting this month’s national Clean Slate coalition meeting! 💪Energizing to gather advocates + experts in person and strategize how to keep building momentum for state + federal second-chance legislation

Congress currently cannot answer a basic institutional question: How many criminal offenses has it actually created? Read how Congress can find the answer and why it is crucial to better policymaking and reigning in overcriminalization: idueprocess.org/blog/f/congr...

Happy Founder's Day! 🎉🥳 We also share our birthday with our Founder + President Shana O'Toole so here's to another year of fighting for bipartisan criminal legal reform!

House to Consider Legislation for Pregnant Women and CRA, May Consider Approps Bills, Senate in Recess Read this week's Point of Order: dueprocess.substack.com/p/house-to-c...

House to Consider Legislation for Pregnant Women and CRA, May Consider Approps Bills, Senate in Recess Read this week's Point of Order: dueprocess.substack.com/p/house-to-c...

In the face of systemic racism that still exists today, Dr. King fought for equality, fundamental rights, and racial justice. We will continue to honor his legacy by advocating for these ideals until they are fully realized in our country and the criminal legal system. #MLKDay

Keeping people permanently punished by a criminal record costs us all—fewer workers, lower earnings, and slower growth. Second chance policies unlock opportunity, boost the economy, and reflect core American values of fairness and redemption. idueprocess.org/blog/f/secon...

House to Consider Another Approps Minibus, Veto Overrides, and Expanded ACA Subsidies While the Senate Takes Up More Nominations Start off 2026 by subscribing to Point of Order, our weekly congressional newsletter: dueprocess.substack.com/p/house-to-c...

🗣️🥯 Awesome event hosted by Jobs for the Future to discuss how we can implement more effective policies to remove barriers and help get formerly incarcerated people back in the workforce Great to meet, speak, and brainstorm with such a diverse group of stakeholders and advocates💪⚖️

ICYMI: We joined @cdt.org and other privacy + civil liberties organizations urging House Judiciary to implement necessary reform of FISA Section 702. This includes closing the backdoor search and data broker loophole, fixing overbroad expansion of ECSP, and promoting transparency at the FISA court.

"Clean Slate policies turn second chances into family outcomes: steadier income, safer housing, and parents who can finally show up for their children." Read The Clean Slate Initiative's new research on the impact of a criminal record on families: www.cleanslateinitiative.org/updates/new-...

We urge SCOTUS to adopt a rule that prevents the exclusion of defense witnesses absent bad faith. Excluding key testimony harms truth-seeking, fuels wrongful convictions, and unfairly tilts the system toward prosecutors. Read our brief: bit.ly/3KA9r9M

In the midst of a shrinking labor supply, Congress can help create opportunities for 70 million Americans that face barriers to employment due to a criminal record. Read our blog on how the Clean Slate Act and Fresh Start Act can help improve the economy: idueprocess.org/blog/f/secon...

‼️ BREAKING The House just passed the Count the Crimes to Cut Act (H.R. 2159), a bill that would require DOJ to produce a report identifying all federal crimes and the number of prosecutions in the past 15 years. A huge step toward a clearer, fairer federal criminal code!

🦃 Happy Thanksgiving from Due Process Institute! Today we’re thankful for good food, good company, and everyone who believes justice should always be on the menu. 🥧⚖️ We hope you enjoy the holiday!🍁

CRAs, Epstein Files, and More in the House While the Senate Moves More Nominees and Could Consider More Appropriations Bills This week's Point of Order: dueprocess.substack.com/p/cras-epste...

Senate Appears Poised to Pass Government Funding Deal, House May Finally Return to DC, Safer Supervision Act Reintroduced Read this week's Point of Order: dueprocess.substack.com/p/senate-app...

Rikers Island's inhumane jail conditions have received national media attention but prisons across the country share similar pathologies. This past Read our post explaining the history of Rikers and how it represents the nationwide crisis we're facing: clause40.org/blog/f/riker...

👏 We applaud the introduction of the Safer Supervision Act, S. 3077 + H.R. 5883 This bill will reform supervised release by rewarding compliance, escalating intervention proportionally, and reducing churn due to technical violations that produces no measurable public-safety gain.

In Lopez v. United States, we argue the honest-services clause is unconstitutionally vague, provides no "ascertainable standard of guilt," and violates the due process rights of defendants. Our brief to the Supreme Court joined by @cato.org: bit.ly/47AW2Wn

“This year’s survey marks the lowest share of respondents who said they think crime is a very serious issue since 2018.” Read how public perception continues to shift as the data shows crime is in decline: thehill.com/homenews/sta...

The idea that “no man is allowed to be a judge in his own cause” is a bedrock principle of the Constitution. A challenged judge shouldn't be able to assess their own impartiality. We urged #SCOTUS to establish that independent review protects integrity: bit.ly/3Jh1GF7

Learn how federal time credits are earned, calculated, and applied under the First Step Act. Watch the new First Step Act Federal Time Credit Application Informational Guide created by Federal Bureau of Prisons: www.youtube.com/watch?si=BPr...

Thank you Senator Shelley Moore Capito for your leadership in sponsoring the Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2025 amendment in the National Defense Authorization Act to advance the bill through the Senate. The Second Chance Act continues reentry services nationwide, including SUD treatment.

Always a good time when we get together. Congrats to Tray for winning our annual costume contest 👻 🎃 🧛‍♀️ 🧟‍♀️ #nonprofitlife #halloween

You can read our original brief here: www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/24...

“Public safety is strengthened when individuals have a real chance to succeed. Having a job is critical to breaking the cycle of crime and keeping communities safe. Simply put, employment is among the strongest evidence-based solutions for public safety.” www.cleanslateinitiative.org/updates/five...

Government Shutdown Enters Second Week, Polling on the Shutdown, Senate to Try Again on CRs, House Is in Recess Again This week's Point of Order: dueprocess.substack.com/p/government...

A Government Shutdown Appears Likely, Senate to Take Up Waltz Nomination to UN and Short-Term CR, House Schedule This Week Isn't Clear This week's Point of Order: dueprocess.substack.com/p/a-governme...

🤩 Awesome night with The Clean Slate Initiative at the 2025 ALC reception, we always enjoy seeing and connecting with fellow advocates and leaders It was great to celebrate progress made on second chances and to also look ahead to the impactful work still to be done 💪

At our annual Two Views event, Professor Jeffrey Fisher and Erin Murphy discussed the Supreme Court's upcoming criminal law docket. Watch two of the leading Supreme Court scholars share their thoughts and their previews of the 2025-26 #SCOTUS term: youtu.be/QRcoeqi4Gx4?...

"This policy will do nothing but push children closer to the cycle of recidivism and impose unjust sentencing laws on the nearly 1 million residents of the District of Columbia." Our full statement on the House passage of the D.C. Juvenile Sentencing Reform Act, H.R. 5140:

🚨 HILL ALERT We urge members of Congress to vote NO on the DC Juvenile Sentencing Reform Act (H.R. 5140), which would lower the age for juveniles to be tried as an adult to 14 years old. Research shows incarcerating juveniles only increases the likelihood of recidivism.

DC Bills and CR Expected in the House, Senate to Finalize Rule Change, DPI's SCOTUS Event, and Take Down the Temp in Our Politics This week's Point of Order: dueprocess.substack.com/p/dc-bills-a...

In Rico v. United States, we argue fugitive tolling impermissibly permit courts to exceed limitations on their jurisdiction. Supervised release statutes must be implemented properly as Congress intended. Our brief to the Supreme Court: bit.ly/485o9ik

🗓️ Wednesday, September 17 @ 12 PM ⚖️Two Views: An Exploration of the Supreme Court's Criminal Law Docket 👉 Enjoy a three-course meal and listen to scholars Jeffrey Fisher and Erin Murphy discuss upcoming SCOTUS cases in the 2025-26 term. Register now: www.eventbrite.com/e/1567372396...

Our office dog hasn’t yet recovered from summer hours. It’s hard to put in a full day with no swimming or long hikes. #nonprofitlife #officedog #dc

Despite the political rhetoric surrounding crime, the violent crime rate in the United States dropped to its lowest level since 1969. @jasonpye.bsky.social analyzes the most recent crime data and explains how public perception continues to lag behind the facts: idueprocess.org/blog/f/crime...

Clock Ticks on Government Funding, Violent Crime Drops to Lowest Point Since 1969, CRAs in the House, NDAA in the Senate This week's Point of Order: dueprocess.substack.com/p/clock-tick...

🗓️ Wednesday, September 17 @ 12 PM ⚖️Two Views: An Exploration of the Supreme Court's Criminal Law Docket 👉 Enjoy a three-course meal and listen to scholars Jeffrey Fisher and Erin Murphy discuss upcoming SCOTUS cases in the 2025-26 term. Register now: www.eventbrite.com/e/two-views-...

Contrary to the assertions of some politicians, the data continues to show a decrease in violent crime nationally year-on-year. Congress can help continue this positive trend by passing proven recidivism reduction policies like second chance initiatives. thehill.com/national-sec...

In Reese v. United States, we argue that judge-made theories of criminal liability pose grave danger that persons will be subject to criminal charges and punishment without fair warning that their conduct violates the law. Read our full brief: bit.ly/3J2dZoa

🔸 Schedule and suspensions in the House + rule bills 🔸 The Epstein files drama 🔸 This is it for the House until September 🔸 The Senate begins the week with nominations 🔸 MilCon-VA is expected this week dueprocess.substack.com/p/house-plan...

In a recent 5-4 decision in Hewitt v. United States, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of our position that defendants who were originally sentenced before the effective date of the First Step Act should still benefit from resentencing. This is a major victory for fairer sentencing.

Today is #Juneteenth, which commemorates the emancipation of enslaved Black Americans. It is a day to recognize freedom and to reflect on and acknowledge the racism, injustice, and slavery that still exists in our nation's institutions and criminal legal system.

1.4 million Floridians with felony convictions had their voting rights restored in 2018. But Florida is now prosecuting these individuals after the state issued them voter cards and permitted voting in 2020. Read our brief challenging these prosecutions: bit.ly/3SL4iMy

"The HALT Fentanyl Act makes the classwide scheduling of fentanyl-related substances (FRS) permanent. There are FRS that have some potential benefits and aren’t harmful. This bill would impede research of those FRS and is a horrible way to make policy." dueprocess.substack.com/p/rescission...

💪 What an amazing second day at the The Clean Slate Initiative's 2025 Convening So many amazing advocates and leaders all joining together to discuss, advance, and uplift second chances #csichi2025