Christopher Dunn

October 01, 2015 | New York Law Journal

In his Civil Rights and Civil Liberties column, Christopher Dunn writes: Last week's government-papal engagement refocused attention on a long-standing concern of mine about an invocation of God found throughout New York's judicial system. Every time I appear in a courtroom with the words "In God We Trust" on the walls behind judges' benches, I am troubled by the suggestion of divine oversight of the judiciary.

By Christopher Dunn

10 minute read

August 06, 2015 | New York Law Journal

In his Civil Rights and Civil Liberties column, Christopher Dunn writes: As important and necessary as reforms of police practices and criminal justice processes are, it also is important to consider the options available to civilians who are on the scene and witnessing police action. Many may be surprised by the state of the law governing the rights of civilians to resist police action to protect themselves, to physically intervene in police action to assist a person being assaulted by officers, and to videotape police action.

By Christopher Dunn

11 minute read

August 05, 2015 | New York Law Journal

In his Civil Rights and Civil Liberties column, Christopher Dunn writes: As important and necessary as reforms of police practices and criminal justice processes are, it also is important to consider the options available to civilians who are on the scene and witnessing police action. Many may be surprised by the state of the law governing the rights of civilians to resist police action to protect themselves, to physically intervene in police action to assist a person being assaulted by officers, and to videotape police action.

By Christopher Dunn

11 minute read

June 04, 2015 | New York Law Journal

In his Civil Rights and Civil Liberties column, Christopher Dunn writes: Transit systems have been a First Amendment flashpoint for decades, but many transit agencies have adopted a commendable free-speech approach. But as in many walks of life, victories in the civil liberties world are often fragile, and the free-speech protections in our nation's transit systems are now unraveling.

By Christopher Dunn

12 minute read

June 03, 2015 | New York Law Journal

In his Civil Rights and Civil Liberties column, Christopher Dunn writes: Transit systems have been a First Amendment flashpoint for decades, but many transit agencies have adopted a commendable free-speech approach. But as in many walks of life, victories in the civil liberties world are often fragile, and the free-speech protections in our nation's transit systems are now unraveling.

By Christopher Dunn

12 minute read

April 02, 2015 | New York Law Journal

In his Civil Rights and Civil Liberties column, Christopher Dunn discusses the challenges to photo identification voting requirements in Indiana and Wisconsin, which are interesting not only because of their rulings but also because of the judicial dynamics surrounding them.

By Christopher Dunn

11 minute read

April 01, 2015 | New York Law Journal

In his Civil Rights and Civil Liberties column, Christopher Dunn discusses the challenges to photo identification voting requirements in Indiana and Wisconsin, which are interesting not only because of their rulings but also because of the judicial dynamics surrounding them.

By Christopher Dunn

11 minute read

February 05, 2015 | New York Law Journal

In his Civil Rights and Civil Liberties column, Christopher Dunn writes: Though wildly different, two controversies, a housing discrimination case and a podcast that has explored the investigation into the 1999 murder of a Baltimore high school student, raise a common question: How important are the courts and law to civil rights in the real world?

By Christopher Dunn

10 minute read

February 04, 2015 | New York Law Journal

In his Civil Rights and Civil Liberties column, Christopher Dunn writes: Though wildly different, two controversies, a housing discrimination case and a podcast that has explored the investigation into the 1999 murder of a Baltimore high school student, raise a common question: How important are the courts and law to civil rights in the real world?

By Christopher Dunn

10 minute read

December 04, 2014 | New York Law Journal

In his Civil Rights and Civil Liberties column, Christopher Dunn writes: Time and again, local grand juries decline or refuse to indict police officers who have killed or severely injured unarmed black men. Against that background, the Brown, Garner, and Gurley deaths have prompted repeated calls for the federal government to prosecute the responsible officers.

By Christopher Dunn

11 minute read