Alex Klein
@alexklein.bsky.social
Associate Professor of Law at W&L Law. Death Penalty, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure. RPCV Moldova 🇲🇩2008-2010. She/Her. All views my own.
https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/cf_dev/AbsByAuth.cfm?per_id=2642510
https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/cf_dev/AbsByAuth.cfm?per_id=2642510
Pinned
Alex Klein
@alexklein.bsky.social
· Jul 2
A belated announcement: my article, The Eighth Amendment’s Paper Tiger: Pain, Executions, and the Cruel and Unusual Punishment Clause came out this spring with Northeastern University Law Review.
scholarlycommons.law.wlu.edu/cgi/viewcont...
scholarlycommons.law.wlu.edu/cgi/viewcont...
Painting today. It’s a bold choice for a bold kid.
November 8, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Painting today. It’s a bold choice for a bold kid.
Reposted by Alex Klein
This Pennsylvania county stopped charging people 'lodging fees' for the time they spent in jail. Then commissioners voted to forgive over $65 million in these fees.
“What a light of hope this has been,” said one woman whose son owed $17,000.
“What a light of hope this has been,” said one woman whose son owed $17,000.
This Pennsylvania County Wiped Out Millions in Jail Debt
After Dauphin County ended the practice of charging people while they’re detained in jail, Commissioner Justin Douglas pushed it to forgive more than $65 million in lodging fees.
boltsmag.org
November 7, 2025 at 1:00 AM
This Pennsylvania county stopped charging people 'lodging fees' for the time they spent in jail. Then commissioners voted to forgive over $65 million in these fees.
“What a light of hope this has been,” said one woman whose son owed $17,000.
“What a light of hope this has been,” said one woman whose son owed $17,000.
My amazing child is another year older. What a joy it is, to watch him explore the world.
October 27, 2025 at 12:17 PM
My amazing child is another year older. What a joy it is, to watch him explore the world.
Pit bulls are really giant babies who want to be cuddled and surrounded by pillows and blankets.
October 26, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Pit bulls are really giant babies who want to be cuddled and surrounded by pillows and blankets.
My son’s elementary school & school district is pushing a 5-week program of AI & encouraging everyone to do various things with it.
I hate this.
I hate this.
October 22, 2025 at 10:46 PM
My son’s elementary school & school district is pushing a 5-week program of AI & encouraging everyone to do various things with it.
I hate this.
I hate this.
It’s standing room only here at the W&L panel for Locating the Law, an exhibit based on my colleague Russ Miller’s recent book about places significant to German constitutional history. The photos, by Alexander Telesniuk, are spectacular.
October 22, 2025 at 8:11 PM
It’s standing room only here at the W&L panel for Locating the Law, an exhibit based on my colleague Russ Miller’s recent book about places significant to German constitutional history. The photos, by Alexander Telesniuk, are spectacular.
Apparently my husband likes to live dangerously because he decided to start unpacking and organizing my kitchen after our move yesterday.
October 7, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Apparently my husband likes to live dangerously because he decided to start unpacking and organizing my kitchen after our move yesterday.
I was honored to participate in an outstanding Symposium, Advancing Abolition, at Richmond Law yesterday to talk about state execution practices with Eric Berger and @corinnabarrettlain.bsky.social. Richmond Law Review did a phenomenal job—so impressed by their dedication and enthusiasm!
October 4, 2025 at 11:39 AM
I was honored to participate in an outstanding Symposium, Advancing Abolition, at Richmond Law yesterday to talk about state execution practices with Eric Berger and @corinnabarrettlain.bsky.social. Richmond Law Review did a phenomenal job—so impressed by their dedication and enthusiasm!
Reposted by Alex Klein
Will Berry is opposed to the execution of the man who took his mother’s life. Here’s what he told Alabama’s governor. www.treadbylee.com/p/justice-de...
September 25, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Will Berry is opposed to the execution of the man who took his mother’s life. Here’s what he told Alabama’s governor. www.treadbylee.com/p/justice-de...
Reposted by Alex Klein
NEW: CBP has been funneling DNA from US citizens—including kids—into the FBI’s crime database. Nearly 2,000 Americans swabbed, many with no charges. Once for violent offenders, CODIS is becoming a mass-surveillance archive.
analysis by @georgetownprivacy.bsky.social
analysis by @georgetownprivacy.bsky.social
DHS Has Been Collecting US Citizens’ DNA for Years
Newly released data shows Customs and Border Protection funneled the DNA of nearly 2,000 US citizens—some as young as 14—into an FBI crime database, raising alarms about oversight and legality.
www.wired.com
September 23, 2025 at 3:48 PM
NEW: CBP has been funneling DNA from US citizens—including kids—into the FBI’s crime database. Nearly 2,000 Americans swabbed, many with no charges. Once for violent offenders, CODIS is becoming a mass-surveillance archive.
analysis by @georgetownprivacy.bsky.social
analysis by @georgetownprivacy.bsky.social
My husband does not pay attention to lyrics, which is why he suggested Yesterday by The Beatles as a song for our first dance at our wedding.
His other choices included Sleepless by The Decembrists and Eleanor Rigby. I was becoming very concerned that he didn’t really want to marry me.
His other choices included Sleepless by The Decembrists and Eleanor Rigby. I was becoming very concerned that he didn’t really want to marry me.
Just a random plea for people to actually pay attention to the lyrics of the songs they like.
I mean, The Rolling Stones tell you exactly what "Brown Sugar" is about from the beginning of the song. And it's absolutely horrifying!
September 20, 2025 at 12:08 AM
My husband does not pay attention to lyrics, which is why he suggested Yesterday by The Beatles as a song for our first dance at our wedding.
His other choices included Sleepless by The Decembrists and Eleanor Rigby. I was becoming very concerned that he didn’t really want to marry me.
His other choices included Sleepless by The Decembrists and Eleanor Rigby. I was becoming very concerned that he didn’t really want to marry me.
Reposted by Alex Klein
Robert Roberson is facing an execution despite overwhelming evidence of his innocence.
Medical evidence shows that his daughter died due to natural and accidental causes, yet Texas is pushing forward with his execution anyway. Add your name to this petition to save Robert.
Medical evidence shows that his daughter died due to natural and accidental causes, yet Texas is pushing forward with his execution anyway. Add your name to this petition to save Robert.
Stop the Oct. 16 Execution of Robert Roberson
Add to your name to stop Texas from executing an innocent person.
innocenceproject.org
September 16, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Robert Roberson is facing an execution despite overwhelming evidence of his innocence.
Medical evidence shows that his daughter died due to natural and accidental causes, yet Texas is pushing forward with his execution anyway. Add your name to this petition to save Robert.
Medical evidence shows that his daughter died due to natural and accidental causes, yet Texas is pushing forward with his execution anyway. Add your name to this petition to save Robert.
Reposted by Alex Klein
"Pharmacists actively licensed in Virginia who are in good standing...to dispense and administer FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines (and) pharmacy interns who have satisfied the training requirements of the PREP Act acting under the supervision of a pharmacist" can give vaccine shots to those 18+ again.
Breaking: Virginia Department of Health issues order to ease COVID-19 vaccine access as federal guidance shifts. (I asked VDH and the governor about this yesterday, as other states have done so in the interim)
virginiamercury.com/briefs/virgi...
virginiamercury.com/briefs/virgi...
Va. Department of Health issues order to ease COVID-19 vaccine access, as federal guidance shifts • Virginia Mercury
An order the Virginia Department of Health issued Wednesday now makes it easier for eligible Virginians to get vaccines in the weeks ahead.
virginiamercury.com
September 11, 2025 at 1:13 AM
"Pharmacists actively licensed in Virginia who are in good standing...to dispense and administer FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines (and) pharmacy interns who have satisfied the training requirements of the PREP Act acting under the supervision of a pharmacist" can give vaccine shots to those 18+ again.
This was just delightful. And as usual, I learned some fun state constitutional law facts from @msmith750.bsky.social.
My op-ed on Oklahoma's likely unconstitutional "wokeness" exam for incoming teachers from California and New York: www.oklahoman.com/story/opinio...
In essence, this lazy exam is nothing more than a publicity push for PragerU, with Oklahoma acting as a legitimating device.
In essence, this lazy exam is nothing more than a publicity push for PragerU, with Oklahoma acting as a legitimating device.
Oklahoma's 'woke' test is surprisingly lazy | Opinion
The Ryan Walters/PragerU test reads like an exam thrown together at the last minute — it needs tougher questions from Oklahoma Constitution.
www.oklahoman.com
September 10, 2025 at 5:20 PM
This was just delightful. And as usual, I learned some fun state constitutional law facts from @msmith750.bsky.social.
Took 10yo to his first Shakespeare play today. We’re lucky to have an outstanding Shakespeare theater about 40 minutes away. He loved Romeo & Juliet.
10yo: Someone should make a movie of that.
Me: I’ve got good news.
10yo: Someone should make a movie of that.
Me: I’ve got good news.
September 6, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Took 10yo to his first Shakespeare play today. We’re lucky to have an outstanding Shakespeare theater about 40 minutes away. He loved Romeo & Juliet.
10yo: Someone should make a movie of that.
Me: I’ve got good news.
10yo: Someone should make a movie of that.
Me: I’ve got good news.
Reposted by Alex Klein
With Roberson's execution pending, experts reject shaken baby syndrome
“The Center for Integrity in Forensic Sciences (CIFS) is calling on Texas authorities to prevent what they say is the wrongful execution of Roberson. He is scheduled to die on October 16.”
www.tpr.org/criminal-jus...
“The Center for Integrity in Forensic Sciences (CIFS) is calling on Texas authorities to prevent what they say is the wrongful execution of Roberson. He is scheduled to die on October 16.”
www.tpr.org/criminal-jus...
With Roberson's execution pending, experts reject shaken baby syndrome
The Center for Integrity in Forensic Sciences is calling on Texas authorities to prevent what they say is the wrongful execution of Robert Roberson. Roberson is scheduled to die on October 16.
www.tpr.org
September 5, 2025 at 6:02 PM
With Roberson's execution pending, experts reject shaken baby syndrome
“The Center for Integrity in Forensic Sciences (CIFS) is calling on Texas authorities to prevent what they say is the wrongful execution of Roberson. He is scheduled to die on October 16.”
www.tpr.org/criminal-jus...
“The Center for Integrity in Forensic Sciences (CIFS) is calling on Texas authorities to prevent what they say is the wrongful execution of Roberson. He is scheduled to die on October 16.”
www.tpr.org/criminal-jus...
Reposted by Alex Klein
W&L Law is thrilled to welcome several extraordinary members to our full-time faculty, including a corporate law expert and two new clinical directors. columns.wlu.edu/wl-law-welco...
August 26, 2025 at 3:25 PM
W&L Law is thrilled to welcome several extraordinary members to our full-time faculty, including a corporate law expert and two new clinical directors. columns.wlu.edu/wl-law-welco...
Dinner tonight. It was delicious!
August 24, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Dinner tonight. It was delicious!
Tonight’s movie: Some Like It Hot.
Husband: You weren’t kidding, that was a perfect ending.
10yo: Nobody’s perfect!
Husband: You weren’t kidding, that was a perfect ending.
10yo: Nobody’s perfect!
August 24, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Tonight’s movie: Some Like It Hot.
Husband: You weren’t kidding, that was a perfect ending.
10yo: Nobody’s perfect!
Husband: You weren’t kidding, that was a perfect ending.
10yo: Nobody’s perfect!
This giant cuddly baby is 3 today. Tommy knows the the Happy Birthday song and jumps whenever he hears it.
August 21, 2025 at 11:42 PM
This giant cuddly baby is 3 today. Tommy knows the the Happy Birthday song and jumps whenever he hears it.
Reposted by Alex Klein
It took many years and billions of dollars, but Microsoft finally invented a calculator that is wrong sometimes: defector.com/it-took-many...
It Took Many Years And Billions Of Dollars, But Microsoft Finally Invented A Calculator That Is Wrong Sometimes | Defector
It’s not AI winter just yet, though there is a distinct chill in the air. Meta is shaking up and downsizing its artificial intelligence division. A new report out of MIT finds that 95 percent of…
defector.com
August 20, 2025 at 4:28 PM
It took many years and billions of dollars, but Microsoft finally invented a calculator that is wrong sometimes: defector.com/it-took-many...
Reposted by Alex Klein
This year, Florida has carried out executions at historic rates, putting more people to death than any other state in the nation. The Governor has sole discretion in deciding who gets executed and when, in a process that's hidden from the public and infected with racial bias.
This cruelty must end.
This cruelty must end.
August 18, 2025 at 1:24 PM
This year, Florida has carried out executions at historic rates, putting more people to death than any other state in the nation. The Governor has sole discretion in deciding who gets executed and when, in a process that's hidden from the public and infected with racial bias.
This cruelty must end.
This cruelty must end.
Celebrating some good personal news today with a peach & lavender danish from my favorite bakery in Lexington.
August 15, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Celebrating some good personal news today with a peach & lavender danish from my favorite bakery in Lexington.