Despite being a pro-business state, Georgia’s legal environment lags behind many states. Georgia should continue to focus on medical malpractice reform as the first step in moving us toward a more effective, efficient and fair legal system.

Legal System

Heritage Foundation – Crime & Justice

Over the past 40 years, federal criminal law has exploded in size and scope while deteriorating in quality. Some arguments against the modest prison and sentencing reforms in the Senate’s First Step Act echo an influential claim from the 1970s attributed to the late sociologist Robert Martinson: When it comes to reducing recidivism rates among inmates, “nothing works.”
Legal System

Common Good – Simplify Government and Cut Mindless Red Tape

Individual responsibility, not mindless bureaucracy, must be the organizing principle of government. These nonpartisan proposals seek to radically simplify government and restore the ability of officials and citizens alike to use common sense when advancing public goals.
Legal System

Cato Institute – Do’s and Don’ts of Tort Reform

Since 1930, litigation costs have grown four times faster than the overall economy. When costs explode, proposals for reform are never far behind. It is important to understand the types of reforms proposed - especially the extent to which they are compatible with our system of federalism.
Legal System

American Tort Reform Association

ATRA is the only national organization exclusively dedicated to reforming the civil justice system. It is a nationwide network of state-based liability reform coalitions backed by 135,000 grassroots supporters.
Health Care, Legal System

Medical Liability Reform – Personal Stories

Jennifer Shiver and Ron Bachman tell their personal stories regarding the lack of access to justice in the current medical malpractice system.
Criminal Justice, Legal System

News Release: Foundation Commends Congress for FIRST STEP Act

News Release | For Immediate Release December 20, 2018 Contact: Benita Dodd  benitadodd@georgiapolicy.org (404-256-4050)

Foundation President Kyle Wingfield Commends Congress on FIRST STEP Act

Atlanta –  Bipartisan passage this week of the FIRST STEP Act, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Doug Collins of Georgia, is a feather in…

Criminal Justice, Legal System, Regulation Reform

Reporter Newspapers Publishes Foundation Op-ed on ‘Marsy’s Law’

A proposed state constitutional amendment that “provides rights for victims of crime in the judicial process” is commonly known as “Marsy’s Law.” The Georgia Public Policy Foundation warned in 2017 of the unintended consequences of the Senate’s initial legislation.
Government Accountability, Legal System, Regulation Reform, Taxes and Spending

2018 Georgia Legislative Policy Forum Agenda

The 2018 Georgia Legislative Policy Forum is slated for Friday, September 7, 2018 at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel.
Environment, Legal System

Foundation Issues Statement on Supreme Court ‘Water Wars’ Ruling

News Release | For Immediate Release June 27, 2018 Contact: Benita Dodd  benitadodd@georgiapolicy.org  (404-256-4050)

Foundation ‘Disappointed’ in Supreme Court Ruling on Water Dispute

Atlanta – Kyle Wingfield, president of the Georgia Public Policy Foundation, issued this statement in response to today’s ruling by the U.S.…

Criminal Justice, Legal System

Rural Pretrial Incarceration, a Disproportionate Issue

By Sophia Strickland

Reports on the United States’ rapidly increasing incarcerated population have sparked a discussion over bail reform. However, a segment that may not receive as much attention in this area is the pretrial, incarcerated rural population, which has…

Criminal Justice, Legal System, Regulation Reform

Council’s Misdemeanor Bail Reform Proposals

A summary of the misdemeanor bail reform findings and recommendations from the February 2018 Report of the Georgia Council on Criminal Justice Reform (pages 25-39).

By Sophia Strickland

The Georgia Council on Criminal Justice Reform’s 2018 report delivered to Gov. Nathan Deal…

Civil Discourse, Criminal Justice, Education, Legal System, Poverty

Foundation VP Benita Dodd Shares Thoughts 50 Years After Death of Martin Luther King Jr.

Foundation looks back on policies since MLK's death.
Legal System

Lawmakers Have Some Unfinished Business on the Table

Expect a quick 40 days under the Gold Dome for legislators.
Criminal Justice, Legal System

Marsy’s Law of Unintended Consequences

Proceed cautiously with a victims' rights amendment.
Criminal Justice, Legal System

Second Chances for Ex-Offenders

Expungement of records can help young job seekers.
Education, Legal System, Regulation Reform

Eyes In the Sky Over Sandy Springs?

By Russ Coker

The use of drones has exploded over the last several years, with the (mostly) flying robots so ubiquitous that it is easy to forget that even as recently 10 years ago, no consumer-grade versions of the devices were…

Criminal Justice, Legal System

Making a “Clean Break” from Civil Asset Forfeiture in Georgia

By Russ Coker

The topic of civil asset forfeiture, the practice of law enforcement seizing and holding property even if the owner is never charged with or convicted of a crime, has made the news recently both in Georgia and nationally.

The…

Criminal Justice, Education, Legal System, Regulation Reform, Taxes and Spending

Legislature 2017 Misses Many Opportunities

Last-minute rush leaves behind important ideas. Again.
Criminal Justice, Legal System

Criminal Justice Reform Legislative Post-Game

By Ross Coker

As the dust settles from the 2017 legislative session, among the legislation heading to the Governor’s desk are three significant criminal justice reform-related measures initiated in the Senate.

The first, Senate Bill 174, focuses on Georgia’s Accountability Court system…

Criminal Justice, Legal System

The United States’ Criminal Caste: The Problem of Collateral Consequences

By Ross Coker

The Georgia Public Policy Foundation and other organizations committed to intelligent criminal justice reform in Georgia, have for some time pointed out Georgia’s astronomical rates of parole and probation, the highest in the nation by far. Georgia…