Plea
Dicker isn't always the most reliable source, but I wish my clients would get deals like this.
Not to take off on a class/race/status-based rant, especially as official misconduct can't really be compared to a guy lifting a tv from a buddy's house, etc., but it's sort of the 800 lb. gorilla in the world of criminal justice. Those without money and resources are the ones that are staying in jail because they can't make bail, and then showing up at a trial in their jailhouse uniform, immediately making an impact on the jury.
Not to take off on a class/race/status-based rant, especially as official misconduct can't really be compared to a guy lifting a tv from a buddy's house, etc., but it's sort of the 800 lb. gorilla in the world of criminal justice. Those without money and resources are the ones that are staying in jail because they can't make bail, and then showing up at a trial in their jailhouse uniform, immediately making an impact on the jury.
posted by TM at 10:03 AM
1 Comments:
Recent drug case --at the arraignment, the Defendant is brought in shackled and handcuffed. The assigned attorney, having little time to speak with the Defendant before Court did request that these be removed, escpecially the handcuffs, allowing the Defendant to be able to write on a legal pad and participate in the defense, as is right. The Judge did allow this.
But it makes me think of the pyschological implications of this. HOw does it free to be the one handcuffed and shackled, while all else around you are free? Doesn't it make a dent in a person's psyche?
I'm certainly for court safety and I do understand with some defendants there is a clear reason to have a Defendant shackled and handcuffed. Although with all the fuss of court security, and after a person has been through police intake and had all possible "weapons" or items that could be used to endanger the person or others, it seems like little risk. So why does it seem that so many are shackled and handcuffed? Shouldn't that be the exception rather than the norm?
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