Innocence Project’s Post

New Colorado Bill Increases Caps on Noneconomic and Wrongful Death Damages, Allows Siblings to Sue for Wrongful Death Given these significant changes, it’s crucial to hire a law firm that has your best interests at heart. Some personal injury lawyers might prioritize a quicker, less lucrative settlement to maximize their own profits, disregarding the potential benefits these new laws could offer. Read our article to learn more about the new bill. https://lnkd.in/es38aGaW

As one embarks upon a journey to analyze the death penalty, it quickly becomes apparent that the topic is innately complex and persistently controversial across human history, states, and religions. However, it is critical to contribute to the ongoing discussion about what the death penalty process entails and how it impacts human rights. I hope this work fosters meaningful conversations and insights within the legal community and beyond. Last semester, at Gonzaga University, School of Law I took a Death Penalty Seminar course where we examined a central question: Has the Supreme Court of the United States reserved the death penalty for those “most deserving” of death? Through extensive research and analysis, I explore: I. The criteria and rationale behind deeming individuals as the "most deserving" of the death penalty; II. The implications of these criteria on justice and fairness; and III. The broader societal and moral impacts of maintaining the death penalty. In light of the recent assassination attempt on former President Trump, this topic has gained even more relevance. High-profile violent acts against our political leaders compel us to reevaluate our stance on capital punishment. This event imposes a duty upon us to consider who is “most deserving” of death and why. I invite all of my peers and colleagues to analyze and share their thoughts. Your feedback and perspectives are invaluable.

According to the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty’s annu­al Year in Review, Texas’ death row con­tin­ued to shrink in 2024, reflect­ing pros­e­cu­tors’ increas­ing reluc­tance to bring new cap­i­tal cas­es and juries’ grow­ing reluc­tance to sen­tence indi­vid­u­als to death. Texas juries imposed just six new death sen­tences in 2024, mark­ing the tenth con­sec­u­tive year of sin­gle-dig­it death sen­tences. Five of those six involved defen­dants of col­or, fol­low­ing anoth­er long-observed trend. In 1999, twen­ty-five years ago, there were 48 new death sen­tences. The sen­tences were geo­graph­i­cal­ly con­cen­trat­ed — three of the six came from Tarrant County, where all the defen­dants were peo­ple of col­or. Tarrant County has the third-high­est num­ber of peo­ple sen­tenced to death in Texas since 1974, behind Harris and Dallas counties. To read the full article, visit our website. #deathpenalty #texas https://lnkd.in/e9VrM_Sn

Every adult American is responsible for making his or her own personal, health care and financial decisions. If a serious accident or illness left you legally incapacitated, then who would make fundamental life (and death) decisions for you? Who would make important medical decisions, pay your bills and even file your taxes? If you do not designate someone to make these decisions on your behalf, then someone will be appointed by a judge through a guardianship process that can be expensive, time consuming and invasive of your privacy. Book a call with Stone Bybee & Associates for tips and guidance on avoiding probate: https://buff.ly/48CWqT7

On April 9, 2024, the California Office of the State Public Defender, along with several civil rights groups, filed an extraordinary writ petition at the California Supreme Court arguing that the state’s capital punishment system violates the state’s Constitution because of its racially biased implementation. In 2021, the California Committee on Revision of the Penal Code confirmed that racial bias is entrenched in the state’s death penalty system. “The California Constitution does not permit a two-tiered system of justice where the most severe sentence the state has on its books imposed overwhelmingly on Black and Brown people,” said Lisa Romo, a Senior Deputy State Public Defender. “We urge the Court to address this long-standing injustice and ensure that Black and Brown people are no longer sentenced disproportionately to death.” In the filings, attorneys for the plaintiffs noted that both Attorney General Rob Bonta and Governor Gavin Newsom have “agree[d] that persistent and pervasive racial disparities infect California’s death penalty system.” AG Bonta opposes capital punishment and has previously acknowledged there is “a disparate impact on defendants of color, especially when the victim is white.” Gov. Newsom has also publicly disclosed his opposition to the death penalty, stating in an amicus brief previously filed with the court that the “overwhelming majority of studies that have analyzed America’s death penalty have found that racial disparities are pervasive, and that the race of the defendant and the race of the victim impact whether the death penalty will be imposed.” In March 2019, just two months after taking office, Gov. Newsom signed an executive order placing a moratorium on the death penalty in California, explaining that “death sentences are unevenly and unfairly applied to people of color.” Despite the acknowledgement from both AG Bonta and Gov. Newsom regarding these serious racial disparities, the lawsuit alleges that California prosecutors have continued to seek the death penalty and obtain sentences against a disproportionate number of people of color. Click to read more. . . . #deathpenalty #California

💼 Understanding Wrongful Death Settlements 💼 In the realm of wrongful death lawsuits, settlements often become the talk of the town. But what exactly goes into these settlements? Let's break it down: Economic Damages: Think dollars and cents. This includes tangible financial losses like medical bills, lost wages, future earnings, and funeral expenses. We're talking about the cold, hard numbers here. Non-Economic Damages: These are the intangible losses that money can't quite fix. It encompasses pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of companionship, and the overall impact on the survivors' lives. Sometimes, it's the emotional toll that hits the hardest. Punitive Damages: When things get really serious, punitive damages come into play. This isn't about compensation—it's about sending a message. Punitive damages are meant to punish the defendant for their extreme negligence or misconduct and deter similar behavior in the future. Settlements aren't just about the numbers; they're about justice and closure for the survivors. That's why having skilled attorneys by your side is crucial. They'll fight tooth and nail to ensure you get the fair compensation you deserve. Have questions about wrongful death settlements or need expert legal advice? Reach out to us for a consultation. We're here to help you navigate through the complexities of the legal system. #WrongfulDeath #LegalSettlements #JusticeForAll #LGRLawFirm #LeeGoberandReyna ⚖️🤝

According to the 2023 Gallup Poll, support for the death penalty in the United States has fallen to a 40-year low, with only 42% of Americans in favor—the lowest since similar surveys began. Conversely, opposition has risen to 58%, the highest since March 1972, when the Supreme Court temporarily deemed the death penalty unconstitutional unless applied impartially. This shift reflects broader societal concerns about the fairness and effectiveness of the death penalty. Factors such as increased awareness of wrongful convictions, concerns over racial bias, and growing advocacy against capital punishment have influenced public opinion. The Supreme Court's 1972 decision marked the beginning of ongoing debates about the merits and drawbacks of capital punishment.  Read the full blog here: https://hubs.li/Q02WQk4t0

Losing a loved one is heartbreaking, especially when it’s due to someone else's negligence. This week, we break down the types of compensation available in Illinois wrongful death cases to help you understand your rights and seek justice. 💔⚖️ 👉 Read now: https://ow.ly/MEkq50Sj0Bc #WrongfulDeath #IllinoisLaw #SeekJustice #KnowYourRights #FamilySupport #LegalHelp

In the concluding days of 2024, Governor Kathy Hochul chose to stand in the way of justice for grieving families. Despite overwhelming bipartisan support from the Legislature, the Governor vetoed the Grieving Families Act for the third consecutive year—an action that highlights her disregard to the rights of all New Yorkers. This critical legislation, which passed the Senate and Assembly with overwhelming bipartisan support earlier this year, sought to modernize New York’s 177-year-old wrongful death law. New York and Alabama are the only states that still have laws preventing jurors from considering the grief and anguish of grieving families in wrongful death cases. This 177-year-old law is cruel and outdated, considering only economic loss and devaluing the lives of people of color, women, children, seniors, and those with disabilities. This law is unconscionable, denying fair compensation to families who have lost a loved one due to negligence or malpractice. It is unconscionable that this law still exists in New York State, and we must continue to advocate for its repeal. The personal injury attorneys at De Caro & Kaplen, with over 45 years of experience in prosecuting cases for injury or death caused by negligent motor vehicle operators, property owners, unsafe buildings or construction sites, and careless doctors’ hospitals, and nursing homes will continue to bring legal action to protect the rights of all New Yorkers. Find out more at https://lnkd.in/eBd8UpzC

The City Bar applauds President Biden for commuting most federal death sentences, as we recently urged him to do for several reasons, including: 1) Since 1973, at least 200 people have been exonerated from American death rows. 2) There is no evidence that the death penalty is a deterrent to the commission of crimes, and a life sentence without parole achieves the same goal of preventing dangerous criminals from reoffending. 3) The United States remains the only Western nation that has not abolished the death penalty. 4) The death penalty is, in practice, racially biased and favors those who can afford their own representation. 5) The federal death penalty is extremely expensive, costing almost $1 million per execution. 6) As administered, the death penalty is cruel and unusual. Read our letter to President Biden here: https://bit.ly/4guw36a