Criminal Justice (Judges)

in committee · United States · House Jul 31, 2026

HR 10011: No PREJUDICE Act

The No PREJUDICE Act prohibits Department of Homeland Security officers from detaining, arresting, or investigating individuals based on their race, ethnicity, job, or use of a non-English language or an accented English. It specifically bans profiling at locations like bus stops or agricultural sites and forbids targeting people for hobbies or careers. If someone in immigration removal proceedings claims they were stopped for these reasons, they can request a court hearing to prove the violation. A judge who finds the profiling unlawful must dismiss the removal case, while the case continues only if no violation is found.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill prohibits racial and ethnic profiling by law enforcement, enhancing accountability and protecting civil rights within the criminal justice system.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill prohibits profiling based on race, ethnicity, or language use, explicitly protecting immigrant rights and limiting discriminatory enforcement practices.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · United States · House Jul 15, 2026

HR 9716: PRIVACY Act

The PRIVACY Act restricts Federal law enforcement agencies from accessing surveillance data collected by State or local agencies without a warrant issued by a Federal judge. It establishes a "Jurisdictional Wall List" maintained by the Attorney General that includes technologies like automated license plate readers and long-range microphones, prohibiting the use of Federal funds to purchase these specific devices. While the bill allows for limited exceptions in emergencies or with consent, it mandates strict rules on data retention, requiring agencies to delete most collected information within 30 days unless it becomes evidence in an active prosecution. Additionally, the legislation bans the use of this data to monitor individuals exercising First Amendment rights and requires regular reporting to Congress on how these surveillance tools are utilized.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts federal law enforcement access to surveillance data and limits funding for specific monitoring technologies, thereby reducing investigative capabilities and limiting the scope of criminal justice operations.80% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill protects data privacy by restricting warrantless access to surveillance data and limiting funding for specific surveillance technologies.90% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationBill restricts funding for surveillance technologies like license plate readers, which are critical for traffic enforcement and public safety on roads.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Judges Law Enforcement

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 24, 2026

S 4891: Preventing Fugitive Fraudsters Act

The Preventing Fugitive Fraudsters Act modifies federal bail rules to restrict international travel for individuals charged with specific financial crimes. Under this legislation, people indicted for offenses such as bank fraud, wire fraud, money laundering, or money laundering proceeds must surrender their passports and stay within the country unless a judge explicitly determines that travel restrictions are unnecessary to ensure they appear in court. This change directly affects defendants facing these charges by adding a new condition to their release that prioritizes preventing them from fleeing the nation. The bill does not alter the underlying criminal laws but instead tightens the requirements for pretrial release to address concerns about fugitives escaping justice.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens criminal justice by restricting travel for financial crime defendants to ensure court appearance and prevent fugitive fraud.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 24, 2026

S 4917: Monitor Accountability Act

The Monitor Accountability Act establishes new rules for federal judges appointing independent monitors to oversee state or local government conduct. Key provisions limit monitor fees, restrict appointments to a maximum of five years, and require public notice before a monitor is selected. The bill also mandates that monitors submit annual financial reports to the court and the public, and it ensures that cases with long-standing monitorships are transferred to a different judge after six years. These measures aim to increase transparency and prevent conflicts of interest in the appointment and management of these oversight roles.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances oversight of judicial appointments of monitors, strengthening accountability in criminal justice proceedings.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges

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in committee · United States · House Apr 30, 2026

HR 8611: Logan's Law

Logan's Law directs the Attorney General to create a free, public database listing individuals with qualifying violent convictions, requiring states that receive federal crime grants to submit their records. The database will allow searches by various personal details and conviction specifics, such as the judge and prosecutor involved, and must be updated at least every three months. Additionally, the bill requires the Attorney General to report on current barriers to sharing criminal records between states and the federal government and to propose solutions for improving this data exchange. States that fail to submit the required data could face penalties, including the withholding of federal Byrne JAG grant funds or the direct distribution of those funds to local governments within the state.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates a public database of violent offenders, increasing transparency and surveillance, which restricts privacy rights and expands the scope of criminal record accessibility.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Judges Victims' Rights

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passed · United States · House May 18, 2026

HR 8365: Monitor Accountability Act

The Monitor Accountability Act of 2026 directs the Administrator of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to establish new rules for federal courts appointing monitors to oversee State or local governments. The bill limits monitor fees, caps their service to one monitorship for a maximum of five years, and prevents reappointments under the same court order. It also requires courts to allow public comment before appointing a monitor and mandates annual public accountings of services and fees. Additionally, cases with monitorships lasting six years or more must be transferred to a different judge. These provisions, including the appointment of new monitors and case transfers, apply retroactively to existing monitorships that have been in effect for six years.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances oversight of federal monitors in state/local governments, promoting accountability and transparency in judicial processes related to criminal justice.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges

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in committee · United States · House Mar 27, 2026

HR 8154: Hold ICE Accountable Act of 2026

This bill creates a special prosecutor to investigate alleged unlawful actions by Department of Homeland Security officials that occurred on or after January 20, 2025. The special prosecutor would be appointed by a three-judge panel from outside the federal government and would have full authority to investigate and prosecute federal crimes, including obstruction of justice and witness intimidation. The bill also establishes protections for the special prosecutor and their staff, limits the Attorney General's ability to remove them without cause, and allows individuals whose rights were allegedly violated to sue for damages without relying on qualified immunity defenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates special prosecutor to investigate unlawful DHS actions, enhancing accountability and oversight within law enforcement agencies, which strengthens criminal justice integrity.75% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill creates oversight mechanism to investigate unlawful DHS actions, protecting immigrant rights by holding enforcement officials accountable for potential abuses.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Judges Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 19, 2026

S 4154: Research and Oversight of AI in Courts Act of 2026

This bill establishes the AI Research and Oversight in Courts Task Force to study how artificial intelligence speech-to-text and automatic speech recognition technologies are used in federal and state courts across the United States. The 15-member task force, composed of government officials and independent experts, will assess issues related to accuracy, privacy, civil liberties, and costs associated with these technologies in the judicial system. Within 18 months of enactment, the group must submit a final report to Congress with findings and recommendations on whether these technologies affect court record integrity, alter speech from individuals with accents or speech impediments, and pose cybersecurity risks. The task force will also examine whether court records should include watermarks or metadata to indicate AI involvement and provide guidance on vendor selection for these technologies.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates oversight task force to study AI accuracy, privacy, and civil liberties in courts, enhancing judicial integrity and protecting defendant rights.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill establishes task force to study AI speech-to-text in courts, assessing accuracy, privacy, and civil liberties to ensure responsible technology use in judicial system85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges Artificial Intelligence Cybersecurity

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 18, 2026

S 4136: Sentencing Commission Improvements Act

This bill would add a second nonvoting member to the United States Sentencing Commission, bringing the total number of nonvoting members to two. The new member would be a federal public defender or community defender appointed by the Defender Services Office of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts. This change would allow defense attorneys to participate in sentencing guidelines discussions without having voting power on the commission. The bill also updates the total membership count to reflect the addition of this second nonvoting position.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill adds federal defender to sentencing commission, enhancing defense representation and promoting criminal justice reform through improved representation in sentencing guidelines.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Judges Sentencing

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in committee · United States · House Mar 5, 2025

HR 1702: JUDGES Act of 2025

The JUDGES Act of 2025 authorizes the creation of new federal district court judgeships across multiple jurisdictions to address rising caseloads. It specifies adding 1-2 new judges to 11 federal districts in 2025, with additional judgeships phased in through 2035 across California, Texas, Florida, New York, and other states. The bill also establishes temporary judgeships for Oklahoma's eastern district with specific vacancy rules, authorizes funding for these positions through 2035, and requires GAO reports on judicial caseload methodologies and detention space needs. This legislation directly affects federal courts in 15 states by increasing judicial staffing to address a 30% rise in filings since 1990, as noted in the bill's findings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds new federal judgeships to address court caseloads, directly strengthening the court system (core criminal justice component) without negative indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges

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