Author

Amanda Hernández

Amanda Hernández

Amanda Hernández is covers criminal justice for Stateline. She has reported for both national and local outlets, including ABC News, USA Today and NBC4 Washington.

Sexual assault survivors can now track their rape kits in most states

By: - September 11, 2023

This story originally appeared in Stateline. It can take hours for a sexual assault victim to undergo the multiple swabs, hair samples, blood and urine collections, and other invasive procedures of a sexual assault examination. And then it can take months, sometimes years, for investigators to process that evidence kit. But now, responding to demands […]

As more states legalize pot, their uneven safety rules can pose a risk

By: - July 11, 2023

This story originally appeared in Stateline. Amid the growing acceptance and legalization of cannabis use across the country, a concerning reality has emerged: The state-by-state patchwork of safety regulations can leave marijuana consumers wandering through a haze of uncertainty, exposing them to potential risks. Under federal law, marijuana is illegal — period. So, it’s up […]