What Effect Will the Election Have on Criminal Justice?

[xchrom]

http://www.thenation.com/article/171250/what-effect-will-election-have-criminal-justice

Last week’s presidential election, as measured by the popular vote, showed the nation was as divided along partisan lines as ever, voters in many states proved themselves willing to take a more pragmatic approach to once-divisive criminal justice issues.

The majorities in favor of permitting medical use of marijuana—and in two states support for outright legalization—were examples.

Another was the passage of California’s Proposition 36, which revised the long-controversial “Three Strikes” policy—one of the thorniest legacies from the “tough on crime” era—which mandates life sentences for a third conviction, even if it was for a non-violent offense.

After several unsuccessful attempts over the years to modify the policy, nearly 70 percent of Californians agreed that it was time to change.

[liberal_at_heart]

1. I think some of this comes down to judges

We need judges that will hand down equal punishments for equal crimes not community service to caucasians and years in prison for minorities.

[Live and Learn]

2. Our justice system has become ludicrous and profit driven.

Serious reform is needed.