Hot Topics

NCSL tracks perennial criminal justice issues, and also provides information and analysis on current hot topics of interest to lawmakers and their constituents. including issues like unmanned aerial vehicles; synthetic drug threats; juvenile life without parole sentences; death penalty; human trafficking; and how state sex offender registration laws are adapting to federal requirements. 

Issues covered here:

Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Unmanned aircraft systems, also commonly called unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones, and their technological enhancements have captured the attention of government officials, the media and the general public. 42 states have introduced drone legislation in 2013 and states are addressing questions about their practical uses, economic impact and concerns over privacy. To find information on state enactments and pending legislation on this issue.  (More)

Synthetic Drug Threats
State legislatures nationwide have outlawed two synthetic drugs--synthetic cannabinoids (commonly known as "Spice" or "K2") and substituted cathinones (or “bath salts”).  (More)
 
Mandatory Life Without Parole Sentences Held Unconstitutional for Juveniles in Miller v. Alabama
On June 25, 2012, the United States Supreme Court, in Miller v. Alabama, ruled that imposing mandatory life sentences without the possibility of parole on juveniles violates the Eight Amendment of the United States Constitution.  (More)
 
Death Penalty
This year Maryland abolished the death penalty; and in recent years Connecticut, Illinois, New Mexico and New Jersey also have removed the death penalty, replacing it with a sentence of life imprisonment with no opportunity for parole. Meanwhile, states across the country continue to debate its fairness, reliability and cost of implementation.  (More)
 
Human Tafficking
 It is estimated that there are as many as 18,000 cases of human trafficking that occur within the United States each year.  Human trafficking is the illegal buying, selling, and smuggling people, usually women and children, to profit from their forced sexual servitude and labor.  State leaders continue to search for effective ways to combat traffickers while protecting and providing support for the victims of these crimes.  (More)
 
Sex Offender Rgistration and Federal SORNA
Title I, Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) provisions of the federal Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety, set many federal requirements of states. Compliance deadline was July 27, 2011 and penalty of 10 percent reduction of federal law enforcement assistance grants.  (More)
 
Sex Offender Legislation
Sex offender policies continue to be high on state legislative agendas. Some enactments respond to the federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) provisions of the federal Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006. Other state actions place residence and other restrictions on sex offenders.  (More) 
 
Other issues: 

• Arrestee DNA collection 
• "Caylee's Law" 
•  Self defense and "stand your ground"