This Month's Articles

ABA cites concerns about new mandatory minimums

ABA President Wm. T. (Bill) Robinson III acknowledged Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) for his stand against enactment of new federal mandatory minimum sentences and urged other senators to oppose bills that would impose such sentences and federalize crimes that could be handled easily by states.

Bills seek end to racial profiling

The ABA expressed support April 10 for the proposed End Racial Profiling Act, which the association maintains represents a comprehensive federal commitment to heal the rift caused by racial profiling and restore public confidence in the criminal justice system.

House panel looks at new immigration detention standards

Maximizing access to counsel and legal resources is among the priorities of new detention standards issued in February by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Homeland Security Institute

HOMELAND SECURITY INSTITUTE: A panel of experts appearing March 22 at the annual Homeland Security Law Institute sponsored by the ABA Section of Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice provided an overview of regulatory initiatives of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in 2012 and the status of significant homeland security legislation. Those participating on the panel were (from left): moderator Elizabeth L. Branch, a partner at Smith, Gambrell & Russell LLP in Atlanta and a former associate general counsel for rules and legislation at DHS; Christina E. McDonald, DHS associate general counsel for regulatory affairs; Matthew McCabe, Republican counsel for the House Committee on Homeland Security; and Christopher Richardson, assistant general counsel for legislative affairs, DHS Office of General Counsel.

Veteran homelessness declining, but challenges remain

The number of homeless veterans is decreasing as a result of a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) five-year plan to end homelessness among veterans, and the ABA is continuing its efforts to address the problem.

ABA reiterates opposition to medical liability proposals

The ABA last month reiterated its opposition to provisions in Title I of current medical liability legislation that would cap noneconomic damages that a plaintiff in a health care lawsuit could recover.