Joanna Schwartz
@jcschwartzprof.bsky.social
Honorable Harry Pregerson Professor of Law, UCLA. Civil rights, police accountability, civil procedure. Author of Shielded: How the Police Became Untouchable (2023). Learn more at: joannaschwartz.net
Pinned
Police officers almost never pay settlements & judgments against them, but are denied indemnification more often than payout data suggests. This great @themarshallproject.org story describes two recent cases & here's my new draft article examining this phenomenon 👇
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Excellent advice 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻
Especially for the 1Ls out there, preparing for their 1st set of law school exams, I wrote this post back in 2007 about how to get a good grade on a law school issue spotter. The post, "Bad Answers, Good Answers, and Terrific Answers," is available here:
volokh.com/posts/116838...
volokh.com/posts/116838...
November 22, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Excellent advice 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻
I just watched The Alabama Solution, and it is stunning. www.themarshallproject.org/2025/10/10/a...
‘The Alabama Solution’: A Humanitarian Crisis in Grainy Detail
Here are five takeaways from the documentary exposing abuse and neglect that is all too common in U.S. prisons.
www.themarshallproject.org
November 20, 2025 at 5:28 AM
I just watched The Alabama Solution, and it is stunning. www.themarshallproject.org/2025/10/10/a...
Reposted by Joanna Schwartz
A huge district court victory for the University of California.
District courts find facts. This one found "overwhelming evidence" that the Trump administration has pervasively violated the First Amendment in its efforts to coerce and intimidate the University of California.
News story here—
District courts find facts. This one found "overwhelming evidence" that the Trump administration has pervasively violated the First Amendment in its efforts to coerce and intimidate the University of California.
News story here—
‘Unlawful coercion’: Trump can’t withhold funds or demand payment from UC, federal judge rules
A federal judge ruled Donald Trump cannot demand that UCLA pay a $1.2 billion settlement that would have restricted academic freedoms.
calmatters.org
November 15, 2025 at 1:41 AM
A huge district court victory for the University of California.
District courts find facts. This one found "overwhelming evidence" that the Trump administration has pervasively violated the First Amendment in its efforts to coerce and intimidate the University of California.
News story here—
District courts find facts. This one found "overwhelming evidence" that the Trump administration has pervasively violated the First Amendment in its efforts to coerce and intimidate the University of California.
News story here—
Reposted by Joanna Schwartz
Fourth Circuit publishes an opinion to make a point that otherwise would go unseen.
www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/...
www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/...
November 13, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Fourth Circuit publishes an opinion to make a point that otherwise would go unseen.
www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/...
www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/...
Reposted by Joanna Schwartz
Chicago police are required by law to document every time they pull someone over. But an investigation by Bolts and Injustice Watch last year revealed the department failed to report hundreds of thousands of stops.
Chicago Police Made Nearly 200,000 Secret Traffic Stops Last Year
Chicago police are required to document every time they pull someone over. But a new investigation reveals the department is releasing vastly incomplete data to oversight agencies, even as the superintendent pledges reforms.
boltsmag.org
November 13, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Chicago police are required by law to document every time they pull someone over. But an investigation by Bolts and Injustice Watch last year revealed the department failed to report hundreds of thousands of stops.
Reposted by Joanna Schwartz
You probably saw videos of a nighttime raid in Chicago. Agents rappelling from a helicopter, bursting down doors, questioning brown-skinned immigrants.
We investigated -- and found little evidence to support the government’s claims about Tren de Aragua.
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
We investigated -- and found little evidence to support the government’s claims about Tren de Aragua.
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
“I Lost Everything”: Venezuelans Were Rounded Up in a Dramatic Midnight Raid but Never Charged With a Crime
Authorities said Tren de Aragua “terrorists” had taken over the building. A ProPublica investigation found little evidence to back up the government’s claims. For the first time, the Venezuelans arres...
www.propublica.org
November 13, 2025 at 1:28 PM
You probably saw videos of a nighttime raid in Chicago. Agents rappelling from a helicopter, bursting down doors, questioning brown-skinned immigrants.
We investigated -- and found little evidence to support the government’s claims about Tren de Aragua.
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
We investigated -- and found little evidence to support the government’s claims about Tren de Aragua.
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
Reposted by Joanna Schwartz
Trying to figure out what #SCOTUS just did with #SNAP, and why Justice Jackson temporarily froze the district court's ruling?
Via "One First," me on what's going on—and why I think Jackson's move was savvy, notwithstanding the awful circumstances that forced it:
www.stevevladeck.com/p/190-snap-wtf
Via "One First," me on what's going on—and why I think Jackson's move was savvy, notwithstanding the awful circumstances that forced it:
www.stevevladeck.com/p/190-snap-wtf
190. SNAP WTF?
A very quick explainer on what (and why) Justice Jackson issued an "administrative stay" in the SNAP case late on Friday night, and on what's likely to happen next
www.stevevladeck.com
November 8, 2025 at 3:34 AM
Trying to figure out what #SCOTUS just did with #SNAP, and why Justice Jackson temporarily froze the district court's ruling?
Via "One First," me on what's going on—and why I think Jackson's move was savvy, notwithstanding the awful circumstances that forced it:
www.stevevladeck.com/p/190-snap-wtf
Via "One First," me on what's going on—and why I think Jackson's move was savvy, notwithstanding the awful circumstances that forced it:
www.stevevladeck.com/p/190-snap-wtf
Reposted by Joanna Schwartz
160 faculty from all 5 UC law schools signed this open letter detailing why the Trump demands to UCLA are unlawful, unconstitutional, and wrong: sites.google.com/view/uclawfa... Great to work with @fishkin.bsky.social @blakeprof.bsky.social @seanashiffrin.bsky.social on this statement.
Home
UC Law Faculty to Regents: Resist the Unlawful Demands
sites.google.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:05 PM
160 faculty from all 5 UC law schools signed this open letter detailing why the Trump demands to UCLA are unlawful, unconstitutional, and wrong: sites.google.com/view/uclawfa... Great to work with @fishkin.bsky.social @blakeprof.bsky.social @seanashiffrin.bsky.social on this statement.
Reposted by Joanna Schwartz
My new one @slate.com: "Gavin Newsom Just Proved It: Voters Want Democrats to Fight Fire With Fire" slate.com/news-and-pol...
November 6, 2025 at 8:59 PM
My new one @slate.com: "Gavin Newsom Just Proved It: Voters Want Democrats to Fight Fire With Fire" slate.com/news-and-pol...
The State Democracy Research Initiative is doing some of the most rigorous and important work out there, thinking through the power of states to check the federal government. Check out this analysis of the ability of states to criminally prosecute federal actors. 👇🏻👇🏻
Check out Staff Attorney Bryna Godar's Lawfare piece analyzing when states can prosecute federal officials for violations of state criminal law.
As federal immigration enforcement agents carry out widespread immigration raids throughout the country, their actions are increasingly facing scrutiny. @bgodar.bsky.social evaluates whether federal officials who violate state criminal law are immune from state prosecution.
November 6, 2025 at 9:33 PM
The State Democracy Research Initiative is doing some of the most rigorous and important work out there, thinking through the power of states to check the federal government. Check out this analysis of the ability of states to criminally prosecute federal actors. 👇🏻👇🏻
Reposted by Joanna Schwartz
Check out Staff Attorney Bryna Godar's Lawfare piece analyzing when states can prosecute federal officials for violations of state criminal law.
As federal immigration enforcement agents carry out widespread immigration raids throughout the country, their actions are increasingly facing scrutiny. @bgodar.bsky.social evaluates whether federal officials who violate state criminal law are immune from state prosecution.
Are Federal Officials Immune From State Prosecution?
Contrary to recent assertions, federal officers do not have blanket immunity from criminal prosecutions brought by states.
www.lawfaremedia.org
November 6, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Check out Staff Attorney Bryna Godar's Lawfare piece analyzing when states can prosecute federal officials for violations of state criminal law.
Reposted by Joanna Schwartz
Editorial cartoon: Don't bread on me. Enjoy :)
November 6, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Editorial cartoon: Don't bread on me. Enjoy :)
Reposted by Joanna Schwartz
A thing I wrote is out now in Ohio St. J. Crim. L.! It's a short essay on how Batson v. Kentucky came together based on the private papers of each of the Justices that term . . . . If you teach the case (or read it in class), you might find it helpful!
moritzlaw.osu.edu/sites/defaul...
moritzlaw.osu.edu/sites/defaul...
April 17, 2025 at 11:58 PM
A thing I wrote is out now in Ohio St. J. Crim. L.! It's a short essay on how Batson v. Kentucky came together based on the private papers of each of the Justices that term . . . . If you teach the case (or read it in class), you might find it helpful!
moritzlaw.osu.edu/sites/defaul...
moritzlaw.osu.edu/sites/defaul...
The Illinois legislature had passed the “Illinois Bivens Act,” allowing people to sue ICE agents in state court. Just waiting for Pritzker’s signature.
dailynorthwestern.com/2025/11/03/c...
dailynorthwestern.com/2025/11/03/c...
November 5, 2025 at 6:46 AM
The Illinois legislature had passed the “Illinois Bivens Act,” allowing people to sue ICE agents in state court. Just waiting for Pritzker’s signature.
dailynorthwestern.com/2025/11/03/c...
dailynorthwestern.com/2025/11/03/c...
Reposted by Joanna Schwartz
For one of my final stories with @wired.com, I teamed up with @peggylowe.bsky.social at KCUR to dig through a Kansas City, KS police hack
Inside were some of the most disturbing misconduct files I’ve ever read—and a secret list of cops the department said couldnt be trusted
Here are a few of them:
Inside were some of the most disturbing misconduct files I’ve ever read—and a secret list of cops the department said couldnt be trusted
Here are a few of them:
Hack Exposes Kansas City’s Secret Police Misconduct List
A major breach of the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department reveals, for the first time, a list of alleged officer misconduct including dishonesty, sexual harassment, excessive force, and false arres...
www.wired.com
November 3, 2025 at 12:34 PM
For one of my final stories with @wired.com, I teamed up with @peggylowe.bsky.social at KCUR to dig through a Kansas City, KS police hack
Inside were some of the most disturbing misconduct files I’ve ever read—and a secret list of cops the department said couldnt be trusted
Here are a few of them:
Inside were some of the most disturbing misconduct files I’ve ever read—and a secret list of cops the department said couldnt be trusted
Here are a few of them:
Reposted by Joanna Schwartz
I know other profs say this all the time but it's so true: Hearing from terrific former students that they are enjoying their jobs & are doing well (all things considered) is an absolute highlight of the job - and a high point of any week that it happens.
November 1, 2025 at 5:12 PM
I know other profs say this all the time but it's so true: Hearing from terrific former students that they are enjoying their jobs & are doing well (all things considered) is an absolute highlight of the job - and a high point of any week that it happens.
Police officers almost never pay settlements & judgments against them, but are denied indemnification more often than payout data suggests. This great @themarshallproject.org story describes two recent cases & here's my new draft article examining this phenomenon 👇
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
November 1, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Police officers almost never pay settlements & judgments against them, but are denied indemnification more often than payout data suggests. This great @themarshallproject.org story describes two recent cases & here's my new draft article examining this phenomenon 👇
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Reposted by Joanna Schwartz
We have progressed from data collection to data analysis.
November 1, 2025 at 12:31 AM
We have progressed from data collection to data analysis.
Reposted by Joanna Schwartz
Greetings from the Dirksen federal courthouse, where Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino is set to appear before U.S. District Court Judge Sara Ellis.
What you need to know, for @wttw.bsky.social:
What you need to know, for @wttw.bsky.social:
Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino, Who Fired Tear Gas at Little Village Crowd, Set to Face Federal Judge
U.S. District Court Judge Sara Ellis ordered Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino to appear in her courtroom at the Dirksen Federal Building in downtown Chicago at 10 a.m. Tuesday.
news.wttw.com
October 28, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Greetings from the Dirksen federal courthouse, where Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino is set to appear before U.S. District Court Judge Sara Ellis.
What you need to know, for @wttw.bsky.social:
What you need to know, for @wttw.bsky.social:
Reposted by Joanna Schwartz
New from me:
Elite law firms, multiple media outlets, the D.C. attorney general, and a group of parents accused a teacher of molesting 15 kids. They were wrong.
This piece is two-and-a-half years in the making. And as you'll see, it took some incredible turns, even as I was reporting it.
Elite law firms, multiple media outlets, the D.C. attorney general, and a group of parents accused a teacher of molesting 15 kids. They were wrong.
This piece is two-and-a-half years in the making. And as you'll see, it took some incredible turns, even as I was reporting it.
Accusing Jordan Silverman
A D.C. teaching assistant was accused of molesting up to 15 kids. Multiple law enforcement agencies cleared him. But his nightmare was just beginning.
radleybalko.substack.com
October 27, 2025 at 12:55 PM
New from me:
Elite law firms, multiple media outlets, the D.C. attorney general, and a group of parents accused a teacher of molesting 15 kids. They were wrong.
This piece is two-and-a-half years in the making. And as you'll see, it took some incredible turns, even as I was reporting it.
Elite law firms, multiple media outlets, the D.C. attorney general, and a group of parents accused a teacher of molesting 15 kids. They were wrong.
This piece is two-and-a-half years in the making. And as you'll see, it took some incredible turns, even as I was reporting it.
Reposted by Joanna Schwartz
Today's "One First" explains why Stephen Miller is wrong that ICE officers have "federal immunity" from prosecution for all actions they take in their official duties, and that anyone attempting to prosecute them is committing a felony.
Supremacy Clause immunity is a thing, but it's *not* absolute:
Supremacy Clause immunity is a thing, but it's *not* absolute:
186. When Can States Prosecute Federal Officers?
Stephen Miller claims that ICE officers have "immunity" for anything they do while enforcing immigration law. Even as an argument about *state* criminal prosecutions, that claim is overstated at best.
www.stevevladeck.com
October 27, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Today's "One First" explains why Stephen Miller is wrong that ICE officers have "federal immunity" from prosecution for all actions they take in their official duties, and that anyone attempting to prosecute them is committing a felony.
Supremacy Clause immunity is a thing, but it's *not* absolute:
Supremacy Clause immunity is a thing, but it's *not* absolute:
Reposted by Joanna Schwartz
NEW: The Kavanaugh stop, 50 days later. "What a sick world."
I asked Justice Brett Kavanaugh about his September 8 concurrence and the reality that has followed. Because he should be asked. He, unsurprisingly, did not respond.
Today, at Law Dork:
I asked Justice Brett Kavanaugh about his September 8 concurrence and the reality that has followed. Because he should be asked. He, unsurprisingly, did not respond.
Today, at Law Dork:
The Kavanaugh stop, 50 days later
"What a sick world." And, for paid subscribers: Closing my tabs.
www.lawdork.com
October 26, 2025 at 6:49 PM
NEW: The Kavanaugh stop, 50 days later. "What a sick world."
I asked Justice Brett Kavanaugh about his September 8 concurrence and the reality that has followed. Because he should be asked. He, unsurprisingly, did not respond.
Today, at Law Dork:
I asked Justice Brett Kavanaugh about his September 8 concurrence and the reality that has followed. Because he should be asked. He, unsurprisingly, did not respond.
Today, at Law Dork:
Reposted by Joanna Schwartz
“Over 170 U.S. Citizens are being arrested. Why? Because they look like me,” Rep. Robert Garcia of California said, referencing our reporting. “Or because they are suspected to not be a U.S. citizen, or because they are suspected of crimes they have not committed.”
Joint Congressional Investigation Launched in Response to ProPublica’s Revelations on Detained Americans
Senators, House members and even a mayor expressed outrage and demanded accountability after our investigation detailed how at least 170 citizens have been held by immigration agents this year.
www.propublica.org
October 25, 2025 at 2:00 PM
“Over 170 U.S. Citizens are being arrested. Why? Because they look like me,” Rep. Robert Garcia of California said, referencing our reporting. “Or because they are suspected to not be a U.S. citizen, or because they are suspected of crimes they have not committed.”
Reposted by Joanna Schwartz
A federal jury this week found a private company that runs detention centers liable for the 2015 death of an inmate in Louisiana and awarded the man’s family $42.75 million in damages.
Jury Awards $42 Million in Death of Inmate at Private Jail in Louisiana
Erie Moore, a retired millworker and father of three, died in 2015, a month after guards slammed him headfirst to the floor at the Richwood Correctional Center, lawyers for his family said.
nyti.ms
October 25, 2025 at 12:20 AM
A federal jury this week found a private company that runs detention centers liable for the 2015 death of an inmate in Louisiana and awarded the man’s family $42.75 million in damages.
Reposted by Joanna Schwartz
A federal judge has ordered top Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino into court next week in what could be one of the most dramatic hearings yet over the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration campaign in Chicago.
trib.al/B4GpXZo
trib.al/B4GpXZo
Federal judge orders Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino into her courtroom
The order came one day after Bovino was accused of tossing tear gas into a crowd in Little Village without justification.
trib.al
October 24, 2025 at 8:18 PM
A federal judge has ordered top Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino into court next week in what could be one of the most dramatic hearings yet over the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration campaign in Chicago.
trib.al/B4GpXZo
trib.al/B4GpXZo