Feminist law prof, former public defender, biracial Asian, cat 😻 person. Author of The Feminist War on Crime (history and analysis of carceral feminism)
Mar 4, 2022 • 4 tweets • 1 min read
I was reading the annoying-teenth article in a “liberal” paper simply declaring that crime rates are “skyrocketing.” So I went on a research spree to find out what new info I've missed. Short answer, uh not much (a thread).
The first article I see is a propolice thinktank saying NYC crime up 175% comparing Feb. 2022 to Feb. 2021. This is a NON-measure: picking a random month & comparing to random past month. So I pulled compstat 2000-20. Even problematic compstat doesn't show crime skyrocketing.
1. Rittenhouse is on trial and rightfully so, but much like in the Chauvin trial, policing is getting a pass. Regardless of the verdict here, the racialized and violent institution of policing is once again poised to be acquitted.
2. Rittenhouse was a product of the racist, militaristic, and masculinist cop culture he idolized. The teen, dolled up in authoritarian finery, armed with an illegal weapon of war, went to battle "rioters," not his 1/6 allies, but those who dared protest raced police brutality.
Jan 28, 2020 • 8 tweets • 2 min read
#Dershowitz was my criminal law prof, and he was a good one. But as a crim law prof myself, I can say his motive argument (Congress shouldn't examine the internal motives of potus so long he could have had a good reason for withholding aid) is shockingly wrong. Here's why:
The crux of any bribery or bribery type case is the defendant's desire to obtain something of personal value. This is actually intent, not motive. So with Trump, the very question is whether he withheld aid with intent to receive the personal benefit of dirt on Bidens.
