Criminal Justice in the 21st Century Symposium

The Journal of Civil Rights and Economic Development of the Ronald H. Brown Center at the St. John's School of Law will host a powerful event on Friday, April 5, 2013 entitled "Criminal Justice in the 21st Century: The Challenge to Protect Individual Freedoms, Civil Rights and Our Safety."  The event is free and open to the public beginning at 8:00 a.m. and will deal with criminal justice issues including prison policy, civil rights and civil liberties, and expanding prosecutorial and police power.

According to the event site:

"Criminal justice in the 21st Century confronts a combination of novel and familiar challenges. New technology and new legislation purport to redefine individual rights, such as the right to privacy or the right to bear arms, in the name of greater public safety. While the past decade boasted a record low number of reported crimes, prosecutorial and police power continues to expand. These issues raise a question of whether there is any legal,constitutionally sanctioned manner to balance individual rights and safety concerns.

This Symposium provides a balanced discussion about pertinent 21st Century criminal justice issues. It weighs broader societal interests, such as safety and public order, against individual interests, including civil rights and civil liberties, privacy and autonomy. This symposium confronts these difficult issues with an open, informed perspective that fosters dialogue with an end towards positing practical and effective solutions."

The event will take place at St. John’s School of Law, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Queens, NY 11439.