Policy Perspectives: Dr. Shari Diamond on Bond Court

Recently, Chicago Appleseed sat down with Northwestern University Professor of Law and social psychologist Dr. Shari Diamond to discuss her remarkable recent work on courts and juries. In 2010, Dr. Diamond published a study (pdf) of Cook County Bond Court establishing a causal relationship betwee...

Reducing Urban Crime and Violence Forum Discusses Alternatives to Incarceration

The University of Chicago Crime Lab and Urban Education Institute co-hosted a panel discussion on criminal justice and education responses to Chicago violence. The first panel just concluded, with the following participants: Moderator: James Warren, Columnist | Chicago News Cooperative The Honora...

Cook County Bond Court Overlooks Critical Information

This editorial originally appeared at the Huffington Post.  In less than the time it takes to make an ATM withdrawal, Cook County Bond Court judges make decisions affecting individual liberty and the public safety. This way of transacting justice exacts a dear convenience fee -- defendants' liberty...

Interview with Center for Court Innovation Director, Greg Berman

I recently conducted an interview with Center for Court Innovation Director and co-founder, Greg Berman for the University of Chicago's policy publication, The Chicago Policy Review. You can read the whole interview here. An excerpt is below: Why should we be concerned about effective and effici...

Smart Criminal Justice Policies Gain Momentum in Chicago, Cook County

This piece originally appeared at the Huffington Post. County and City officials have taken bold yet prudent steps toward sensible, cost-effective public safety policies. The County has expanded use of electronic monitoring and the City is now considering issuing a fine in lieu of arrest for mariju...