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The legal system implemented several measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Since many of these methods are beginning to reverse, it may be worth investigating how the system can improve under quarantine.
“The police, the prosecutors, and the courts have done a lot of work that has really benefited the community,” said the criminal defense attorney. Thomas Addair.
So how can partnerships lead to a better legal system? Here are five ways the legal system has improved during COVID-19.
Fewer Parking Lots
At the beginning of the epidemic, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) called for a reduction in the number of traffic stops for serious concerns to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Several states have implemented these measures: Texas saw a 35 percent drop in traffic stops, while Connecticut Police issued 34 percent fewer traffic tickets.
How does this help the legal system? By reducing the impact of discriminatory policing. Often times, when the police pull over a car for a minor crime, they are trying to find a higher level crime. This, along with the fact that people of color are more likely to be prosecuted, means that many innocent people end up in the legal system on trumped-up charges. By reducing the number of traffic stops, the police did not have a chance for their prejudices to affect their work.
Focus on Money Laundering and Pre-Trial Imprisonment Reduced
Half a million Americans are in jail before trial because they can’t pay bail. Due to the economic crisis caused by the pandemic, California reduced the fine to $0 for low-level offenders. This led to a significant decrease in the prison population, which helped reduce the spread of COVID-19 among inmates. This emergency measure was taken in June 2020, but 31 California counties have voted to keep the measure.
Why? Because you have not been charged before the trial, you are waiting to go to trial. Many people plead guilty to get out of jail and go to trial. They may lose their jobs, retirement, children, or educational opportunities if they are not there the next day, and plead guilty even if you are innocent and you can keep your asylum and source of income.
Not only that but keeping someone in jail for their pre-trial detention can lead to bad behavior in the future. Spending a few days in jail increases a person’s chances of being arrested again in the future, even if he was guilty of the first offense.
Getting rid of the pretrial detention system allows people to live, work, and support their communities without fear of having their safety net pulled from under them because they don’t have one. $1,000 extra lying around.
Minor Crimes Should Not Be Punished
In some parts of the United States, prosecutors declined to prosecute minor crimes such as drug possession, prostitution, and trespassing in favor of more serious cases. The Brooklyn district attorney’s office suspended all prosecutions for nonviolent offenses, including driving without a license and shoplifting. Although these efforts are currently taking a back seat, they are of great concern in the court and in helping the community.
Dismissing prosecution for low-level crimes such as shoplifting and trespassing reduces the likelihood that the offender will reoffend. This will reduce the harm that the legal system does to people of all backgrounds, the poor, the mentally ill, and the alcoholic. Some of these marginalized communities are incarcerated for many crimes, and removing petty crimes from the courtroom will promote long-term public safety.
Waiver of Fines and Court Fees
The criminal system profits from the poor people in our country, and eliminating fines and court costs reduces the government’s control over the poor people’s finances. A 2018 study in Alabama found that 80 percent of people forgo important things like food, rent, and medical bills to pay their court debt. If you can’t pay your bills, you could face other charges, lose your driver’s license, or go to jail, and the person who has to be there tomorrow can be in trouble to keep their job. , or sleep at a homeless shelter.
Many states have eliminated debt in the court system so that resources are not spent chasing people who cannot pay. Maine cleared all of its 12,420 licenses for unpaid fines and fees. Dane County, Wisconsin, canceled its debt of $149,828 for previously incarcerated people. Some states have reduced the penalty for not paying court fines, such as Oregon, which has refused to suspend driver’s licenses for unpaid debts.
Not only did these efforts help the poor, but they saved money. Resources could be allocated to cases of higher interest which saved time and money for police departments and treasure hunters.
Petty Offenders Going Home
To reduce prison capacity and prevent the rapid spread of COVID-19, some states are releasing some of their inmates who were incarcerated for minor, non-violent crimes. Kendrick Fulton was 17 years into his 28-year prison sentence for selling crack cocaine, and he was allowed to return home because of the epidemic. Since his release, he has been able to make ends meet for several years and has also found work as an auto glass salesman. Now he can be a member of society instead of being behind bars for a low-level drug offense.
Some prisons have begun to fill up again as the previously discussed conditions have been reversed. The prison population increased by 13 percent between mid-2020 and the spring of 2021. However, it is worth looking at the large prison population in America and cases like Kendrick Fulton and decide for ourselves that criminals can pay a second price.
[Image via Pexels]
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