Johnny Nhan

‘Uppity civilians’ and ‘cyber-vigilantes’: The role of the general public in policing cyber-crime:

The distributed nature of the Internet requires that security issues be addressed through collaborative efforts within and across various sets of public and private actors. Drawing on nodal governance theory, this article explores one aspect of the role that the general public can and does play in the field of cyber-security: civilian policing of the Internet. In particular, we examine the motives and actions of regular citizens, who use their computer skills to identify, track and collect information on the activities of suspected criminal offenders. Whereas some groups use such information to engage in vigilante acts, the groups that we study work cooperatively with police, collecting information to pass onto criminal justice agencies. We suggest that these collectives and their members are a potentially useful, if under-valued, component of cyber-security networks.

Prosecuting the prosecutor: The makings of the Michael Morton Act

Abstract Prosecutorial misconduct is not a rare event, but it often goes undetected, unreported, or no action is taken by the criminal justice system. However, when one Texas prosecutor, Ken Anderson, served jail time for wrongfully prosecuting an innocent man, Michael Morton, for murdering his wife, he made history. Anderson withheld exculpatory evidence leading to Morton wrongfully serving 25 years before being released with new DNA evidence. However, Anderson only served a five-day sentence and

The reentry labyrinth: The anatomy of a reentry services network

500 fine. We discuss the case in the context of inequality and legal realism in the criminal justice system. Also, we look at the implications and new legal action taken by the state of Texas to try and combat this problem, along with looking at these secretive occupational subcultures.

Comparing Ex-offenders Who Use and Decline Job Readiness Training

ABSTRACT Difficulties of returning prisoners to society have been well documented in research the last few decades. This article looks at reentry programs and finds very few standardized programs and brought up many practical issues exoffenders face upon reentry. We examine a nonprofit regional reentry program in North Texas in order to better understand the number and nature of services available and the difficulties the organizations face and its potential impact on former inmates. We use Texas ReEntry Services (TXRS) data located in Fort Worth, Texas, as a starting point for mapping the reentry landscape, including client information in order to identify variables that affect obtaining resources, such as transportation. Finally, we discuss the potential impact of this networked arrangement on policy and recidivism.

Discounted justice: The potential misuse of Alford pleas for future exonorees

ABSTRACT Reentry research has primarily focused on systemic and structural issues, with relatively little attention paid to the individual differences among ex-offender participation in community-based reentry services. Researchers often assume that the limiting factor for utilization of reentry services is the capacity for these services, without taking into account individual agency. This study examines factors that contribute to whether individuals participate or forego services, using data from a North Texas nonprofit client support organization, Texas ReEntry Services. Utilizing descriptive statistics and logistic regression, the researchers examine individuals who participate in the Job Readiness Program and compare them to individuals who do not utilize this service. Initial findings suggest that only a small percentage of unemployed ex-offenders take advantage of employment training and other free services.

Finding a Pot of Gold at the End of an Internet Rainbow: Further Examination of Fraudulent Email Solicitation

Abstract The West Memphis Three case captivated the country over the past two decades for many reasons. The crime, a triple homicide of children, the lack of evidence and coerced confessions, the verdicts, and ultimately, the way the three men were released caused this to be international news. This paper examines the release of the three men using the Alford plea, a lesser-known option which allows them to ultimately plead no contest. The Alford plea, in this case, is used but the men possibly could have been exonerated, deemed wrongfully imprisoned, and then sued the state for millions of dollars. Next, a brief history of the Alford plea and its other uses are explored. Last, we will look at the implications and legal conflict that exists when using an Alford plea and discuss the uses and possible ramifications of this case on future cases within the legal realism theoretical framework.