Search About Newsletters Donate
A sign points voters to the W L Stephens Aquatic Center in Charleston, South Carolina, on February 24, 2024 during the South Carolina Republican primary. (Photo by Julia Nikhinson / AFP) (Photo by JULIA NIKHINSON/AFP via Getty Images)

Criminal Justice & the 2024 Election

Violent crime and victimization are going down in the U.S. — returning to pre-pandemic levels, FBI data shows. Politicians and headlines often miss the nuances. Our stories add context, fact checks and history to key criminal justice and immigration issues on the campaign trail.

Election 2024
FAQ: How The Marshall Project Is Covering the 2024 Election
Learn more about who we are and how we choose what political stories to cover.
The hand of a person with light-toned skin holds a red, white and blue sticker that reads “Yo voté!” “M’ vote!” “I voted!” and “iamelectionready.”
A photo illustration shows the cover and black-and-white pages of “Rights in Conflict,” a book more commonly known as the Walker Report.
Looking Back August 14
How the 1968 DNC in Chicago Devolved into ‘Unrestrained and Indiscriminate Police Violence’
As protesters prepare for the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next week, a half-century old report provides lessons for preventing chaos.
By
Tim Walz, a White man with white hair and glasses, wearing a navy suit jacket and khaki pants, walks outside with two men behind him to his left.
Election 2024 August 7
Tim Walz on Criminal Justice: 5 Things to Know
Where Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate, stands on policing, guns, prison reform and other issues.
By and
Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a seated man with light-toned skin and short-cropped dark hair, signs a bill that is composed of a high stack of papers. Eight masked people with varying skin tones and genders stand behind him.
Election 2024 August 1
Facing Rollbacks, Criminal Justice Reformers Argue Policies Make People Safer
Advocates are refining their rebuttal to “tough on crime” messaging: Don’t focus on punishment, but on reforms that improve public safety.
By
A Black man, wearing a black suit, looks to the left while standing in front of a memorial on a street.
Election 2024 July 31
Courts Cleared Jaleel Stallings. Trump’s Campaign Pulled Him Back Into the Political Muck.
Stallings was acquitted after an encounter with police during George Floyd protests in 2020, and one officer pleaded guilty to assaulting him.
By
Gov. Michael Dukakis, a White man in a checkered shirt, holds a leaflet that has the words "Vote for George Bush" and "Security" printed on them, among other text that is not visible.
Election 2024 July 31
What It Means to ‘Willie Horton’ a Political Candidate
Donald Trump supporters run their version of the original dog-whistle attack ad against Kamala Harris. Here’s the history.
By
Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at a campaign event at George Mason University in Manassas, Virginia on Jan. 23, 2024.
Closing Argument July 27
What These Decisions Tell Us About Kamala Harris’ Approach to Criminal Justice
From the death penalty to school truancy and diversion programs, here are some key steps Harris took as a district attorney and attorney general.
By
Vice President Kamala Harris, an Indian and Black woman with medium skin tone wearing a black suit, looks to the left while holding a microphone. She is sitting on a chair in front of three American flags.
Election 2024 July 21
5 Things to Know About Kamala Harris’ Criminal Justice Record
Here’s where Vice President Kamala Harris, a former prosecutor, stands on important criminal justice issues.
By and
Former President Donald Trump, a White man wearing a black suit and red tie, looks down. There are small studio lights in the background.
Closing Argument July 20
How Project 2025 Plans for Trump to Have Unprecedented Power Over the Justice Department
The policy plan for a second Trump term would turn the department against progressive local prosecutors.
By
A middle-aged White man with brown hair and a beard, wearing a blue suit with a red tie, sits in front of a microphone at the end of a curved, wooden table.
Election 2024 July 17
What We Know About J.D. Vance’s Legislative Action on Criminal Justice
On immigration and more, Vance has defended and legislated former President Donald Trump’s policy goals.
By
About
People
Jobs
Sitemap
Funders