Lisel Petis

Congress is moving to tie police funding to state bail policy. That approach ignores federalism, undermines local decision making, and risks weakening public safety rather than strengthening it. @RSI rstreet.org/commentary/why…

@IamAcop_Jill @LiselPetis Have an extra minute? We hope you can join us in D.C. on April 14 for our Cocktails and Criminal Justice Policy Spring Reception, an opportunity to connect with policymakers, practitioners, and partners. rstreet.org/events/cocktai…

ICYMI: We launched a biweekly newsletter, “3 Things in 30 Seconds,” here at the @RSI criminal justice shop. Here is the latest from our team. Links in the thread below! Let me know if you want to be added. Cc: @LiselPetis, @IamAcop_Jill, @LoganSeacrest

@JGKoufos @Uber @lyft Whaaaat?! Ive thankfully never had that happen to me. Id be furious.

Another good reason to stop using @Uber - the driver shows up and demands cash. When I won’t pay him cash he cancels and drives away. This happens too often and there’s no way to easily notify the company in the app. Moving to @lyft

Delays - from bail hearings and charging decisions to discovery and trial - I examine the underlying issues, spotlights states handling it well (or poorly), and addresses top concerns about speeding up the process. @RSI rstreet.org/commentary/the…

My colleagues @smayranderson & @LiselPetis have a great piece out in the wake of @AGPamBondi’s ouster. They analyze this through the lens of what occurs when institutions—particularly ones that should be neutral arbiters—become politicized/corrupt & lose the public’s trust. 🔗⬇️

I teamed up with @LiselPetis at @RSI to take a closer look at the breaking news. rstreet.org/commentary/bon… 3/x

@LiselPetis @RSI This isn’t a partisan issue. It’s about the legitimacy of the system itself. Take a look here: rstreet.org/commentary/bon… 5/5

Second look is not about going soft. It is about whether the justice system has any room for judgment once the years start piling up. ⚖️🎥 @LoganSeacrest explains why 'incentives' are so important to understand second look laws, and why a serious public safety agenda should care about review, not just rhetoric. Watch the video below. 👇

The other side of smart bail reform people don't generally know: “When violent offenders are detained, they lose the ability to harm our communities...Bail reform is being utilized as a public safety tool, to keep the most dangerous offenders detained." breakingac.com/news/2026/apr/…

The Safer Supervision Act is a smart move for public safety, with support from law enforcement, retired probation officers + federal judges, and people of all political stripes.

While cost concerns are common with efficiency changes, the status quo is far pricier. Some states have shown courts can move cases faster without cutting corners. When proven models exist, delay becomes a choice. @RSI rstreet.org/commentary/the…

Last year you got "Why Marvel’s Recidivism Rate Is Lower than DC’s." This year, you must check out @RSI's latest by @LoganSeacrest: "The Jedi Order Has a Criminal Justice Problem." rstreet.org/commentary/why…

More than half of all murders in America go unsolved. 🔒 ⚠️ Violent crime clearance rates sit at just 40%. ⚠️ Sex assault clearance rates? Below 25%. ⚠️ Property crimes? Single digits. 💡Young Voices debate speaker @smayranderson (@RSI) made a powerful point at our latest Oxford-style debate: “You can’t incarcerate people you don’t catch.” Sarah argues the primary problem in our criminal justice system isn’t a shortage of prison capacity — it’s a shortage of certainty that criminals will be caught and punished at all. ❌ Millions of victims never see justice. Communities lose faith in law enforcement. And building more prisons won’t fix that. Is she right? 🤔 🎥 Watch the full debate on our YouTube channel. 📲 Follow @joinyoungvoices for more insights from our live debates. #CriminalJustice #Crime #PublicSafety #Justice #CriminalLaw

‼️The current sentencing debate is not just soft vs. tough. It is whether the system has any room for judgment once the years start piling up. @smayranderson explains why second look laws are gaining traction, and why a serious public safety agenda should care about review, not just rhetoric.

"Will we protect individual liberty even when it risks political blowback? Will we constrain executive power even when we might agree with its aims? Will we defend institutional independence even when it's inconvenient?" @SL_Schaeffer @RSI rstreet.org/commentary/def…

Read the full article by @LiselPetis here: rstreet.org/commentary/haw…

Earlier this week, I testified before the #Maryland House Judiciary Committee in support of HB 360 — the #CleanSlateAct of 2026 — on behalf of @RSI. The bill would create an automated process to shield certain eligible criminal records after a period of law-abiding conduct. 🧵

Every year, more than 500 children under 11 are referred to Virginia's juvenile justice system on delinquency complaints. That could change soon with a new bill that sets the floor for arresting kids at 11. (THREAD)

I had the distinct pleasure of getting to testify in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee in my beloved state of #Colorado yesterday, in support of Senate Bill 115, which would establish a #SecondLook process for some individuals serving lengthy prison sentences. #COLeg #SB115