Feds find racial bias against black youths in St. Louis County family court

[DonViejo]

Source: RawStory/ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

July 31, 2015
Christine Byers
St. Louis Post-Dispatch

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — The St. Louis County Family Court deprives juveniles of constitutional rights, is rife with conflicts of interest and treats black youths more harshly than whites, according to accusations made public Friday by the Department of Justice.

The agency will seek a mutual agreement to resolve the violations, but otherwise could litigate. The action is similar — but unrelated — to a different Justice Department report issued in March that was highly critical of police and municipal court practices in Ferguson.

In this case, the Civil Rights Division complains that juveniles do not get adequate legal representation, are held without proper determination of probable cause and may be allowed to plead guilty without clearly grasping the consequences.

The 60-page federal report concludes that youths cannot have their cases handled informally — the desirable course for them — unless they confess wrongdoing, which may "coerce" them into admitting something they did not do.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.rawstory.com/2015/08/feds-find-racial-bias-against-black-youths-in-st-louis-county-family-court/

[NYCButterfinger]

1. What is wrong with Missouri these days?

It has become so raw, the Ferguson crisis of last year, the poor reaction to Ferguson; what is the leadership of Missouri?

[libdem4life]

2. It's just business as usual. only difference

Is that the loathsome truth is oozing out of the shadows. IMO, it's only just begun.

Giving up or sharing power is difficult.

[Downwinder]

3. I don't think that is limited to St. Louis County.

The Police would not be able to get away with bias if the Courts were not also biased.

[Uncle Joe]

4. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, DonViejo.

[catrose]

5. Ya think?

[Liberal_in_LA]

6. kick

[jwirr]

7. Finally. But they are not done. All those fines etc that are outstanding need to go. They should be

erased from the record.

[jtuck004]

8. "Feds find racial bias against black"...s in U.S. < There. Fixed. n/t

[heaven05]

9. you're kidding???

always has been like this.....

[Comrade Grumpy]

10. Institutitional racism at work. Is St. Louis the rule or the exception?

[graegoyle]

11. The exception: It is being reported.