Jury trials remain a favorite of American film and literature but not of the criminal-justice system, where their use long has been in decline here and across the country. The trend has accelerated in recent decades as tougher sentencing laws leave more defendants unwilling to assert a right found in Magna Carta and the U.S. Constitution and that is recognized by all states.

Some Richmond City Council members are thinking twice about sharing oversight of the city auditor in light of his revelation that the city violated purchasing rules on a nearly $1 million contract to buy police cars. The auditor currently serves at the pleasure of the council. But under draft recommendations of the Richmond City Charter Review Commission, he would be appointed by the mayor subject to the approval of the majority of council.

Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael N. Herring said yesterday that his office will investigate whether any crime was committed as part of a nearly $1 million purchase of police cars that violated procurement rules. He said he could not discuss details and added that it probably would take several weeks to determine whether charges will be sought.

Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael N. Herring is backing Brian J. Moran for governor. Herring’s endorsement comes days after Moran gave a fiery speech at the Democratic Party of Virginia’s annual Jefferson-Jackson Day dinner, in which he challenged the party to consider what type of leadership it wants. “This weekend Brian Moran made his case to lead our party and defined what’s at stake in this election,“ Herring said in a statement released by Moran’s campaign. “He believes we are the party of the people and the grass roots.“

Richmond’s commonwealth’s attorney has agreed to look into a faulty school system procurement process involving the assignment of a $291,080 contract for design work for an elevator at William Fox Elementary School. The school system and the company that won the contract mutually canceled that deal a month ago after the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported problems with the way the work was solicited and awarded. School Board member Carol A.O. Wolf called for an outside investigation of the process, but the school system decided to use its internal auditor to investigate.

Richmond’s commonwealth’s attorney has agreed to look into a faulty school system procurement process involving the assignment of a $291,080 contract for design work for an elevator at William Fox Elementary School. The school system and the company that won the contract mutually canceled that deal a month ago after the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported problems with the way the work was solicited and awarded. School Board member Carol A.O. Wolf called for an outside investigation of the process, but the school system decided to use its internal auditor to investigate.