For all the death, misery and havoc that COVID-19 inflicted during its first three years, the pandemic did bring one short-lived benefit to the criminal justice system, at least in Los Angeles County.

Wisconsin has a crucial election on April 4, when voters will choose a new justice for the state Supreme Court. While such down-ballot races often don't get much attention, this one may be different.

Nearly half the people in Men's Central Jail, and almost everyone in the region's police jails, have not been convicted of anything. A large proportion are there because they can't afford bail. (Al ...