Last week on Law Street we shared findings from a new study that concluded immigrants take more in welfare than U.S. born, the trending hashtag #MaybeHeDoesntHitYou, and an in-depth look at drug courts. ICYMI– Check out these top stories below.
1. New CIS Study Shows Immigrants Take in More Welfare Than U.S. Born
A study published yesterday by the Center for Immigration Studies, or CIS, claims immigrant households collect $1,803 more in welfare benefits than native households–families headed by a U.S. born person–based on data collected in 2012. Read the full article here.
2. #MaybeHeDoesntHitYou: Hashtag Sheds Light on Non-Physical Abuse
Domestic abuse isn’t always physical, it doesn’t always leave bruises, and it’s not always visible to the naked eye. Abuse can be mental, emotional, and verbal–and Zahira Kelly wanted to call attention to that fact when she started the hashtag #MaybeHeDoesntHitYou. Read the full article here.
3. Are Drug Courts the Answer For Addicts Who Commit Crimes?
As of 2015, there were 2,800 drug courts in the United States and they were working with 120,000 defendants per year. The idea behind these courts is to use the criminal justice system to compel addicts to rehabilitate themselves. The ultimate goal is to reduce recidivism for drug use and the other crimes that often accompany drug addiction. In order to do this, drug courts use both a carrot and a stick approach with addicts. Courts promise to reduce or eliminate jail time in exchange for the successful completion of a drug treatment program–hopefully saving money for taxpayers along the way. Read the full article here.