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The problem is that would involve the state conceding that SWAT teams don't exercise sufficient restraint in choosing when to utilise deadly force. It very much

by cmdkeen 11y ago

The problem is that would involve the state conceding that SWAT teams don't exercise sufficient restraint in choosing when to utilise deadly force. It very much should be heavily prosecuted but that is why it can't be attempted murder. Much like why the police can't "shoot to disable" it's to do with the legal implications of what you are admitting.

rchaud 11y ago
Maybe not a murder charge, but in the US, there are a number of lesser charges that don't imply direct intent, such as negligent homicide, 3 degrees of manslaughter and others. In the case of deliberate targeting of women based on gender, it's possible to attach a hate crime charge as well, which would add significantly to the possible jail time. At the very least, pursuing some of these charges would build leverage, which may result in the defendant pleading to a lesser charge. That in turn would result in no trial, and circumvent the complicated question of whether SWAT team operations disproportionately increase the risk of death or serious injury.
- gherkin0 11y ago
  I don't think you're going to solve this problem by merely increasing penalties and throwing more years-in-prison at the perpetrators. Most of them seem to be kids who seem think they're invincible anyway. > At the very least, pursuing some of these charges would build leverage, which may result in the defendant pleading to a lesser charge. That's a really ugly part of the American justice system (e.g. scare the accused with over-inflated penalties to get them to plead guilty with no trial). That should be abandoned. The real solution will be 1) removing SWAT teams from communities that have no real need for them and 2) training police to only use SWAT tactics once they've confirmed they're appropriate for the situation. SWATing pranks are only just one symptom of the overuse of military tactics by police.

by cmdkeen 11y ago

rchaud 11y ago

Maybe not a murder charge, but in the US, there are a number of lesser charges that don't imply direct intent, such as negligent homicide, 3 degrees of manslaughter and others. In the case of deliberate targeting of women based on gender, it's possible to attach a hate crime charge as well, which would add significantly to the possible jail time. At the very least, pursuing some of these charges would build leverage, which may result in the defendant pleading to a lesser charge. That in turn would result in no trial, and circumvent the complicated question of whether SWAT team operations disproportionately increase the risk of death or serious injury.

gherkin0 11y ago
I don't think you're going to solve this problem by merely increasing penalties and throwing more years-in-prison at the perpetrators. Most of them seem to be kids who seem think they're invincible anyway. > At the very least, pursuing some of these charges would build leverage, which may result in the defendant pleading to a lesser charge. That's a really ugly part of the American justice system (e.g. scare the accused with over-inflated penalties to get them to plead guilty with no trial). That should be abandoned. The real solution will be 1) removing SWAT teams from communities that have no real need for them and 2) training police to only use SWAT tactics once they've confirmed they're appropriate for the situation. SWATing pranks are only just one symptom of the overuse of military tactics by police.