4 ms·

This would mean more power residing in the federal government. Do we really need more power to be centralized? It seems to me that the fed is already a bit ov

by IpV8 10y ago

This would mean more power residing in the federal government. Do we really need more power to be centralized? It seems to me that the fed is already a bit over their heads. What we need is educated voters and more alternatives to prison. We also need a more reasonable trial system; how can a low income defendant hire a decent lawyer? I think that there are things that the fed can do to better the situation, but butting in to states' jurisdiction is a slippery slope. The Ferguson suit is a case of 'good because it aligns with my beliefs'. What if the fed stepped in and did the opposite?

Retric 10y ago
From what I have seen Federal is less corrupt than state, and state is less corrupt than Local. So, in terms of justice we are probably better off centralizing it. Honestly, I suspect the only reason for local cops is they will actually enforce the little rules like what time of day people can put out their trash cans.
wfo 10y ago
According to what I understood from the article, a trial is not even relevant. Lawyers are barely relevant. A prosecutor threatens someone with a life-destroying extreme sentence, and they take the short plea term. Confess to this crime you may have committed or we will destroy you. End of story. No trial, no long discussion, your lawyer will advise you to take the deal because facing 30 years in prison for a minor offense is a very real possibility. The cops will lie in court and be believed, forensic science will be fabricated, it's just not worth the risk. Federal or state.
- fisherjeff 10y ago
  Not to mention you most likely get out of jail more quickly by taking the plea than if you waited for a trial. Restating for emphasis: These deals work because you'll be in jail longer if proven innocent than if you falsely plead guilty.
- c22 10y ago
  After being in a car accident (my fault) without insurance and in which another driver broke an arm I was arrested and held in jail for two months at which point I was given the option of going to court on a charges of "assault with a deadly weapon" and related miscellany or pleading to "hit and run" and getting released immediately with time served. This despite the fact that I was arrested next to my capsized vehicle. The prosecution had completely fabricated police statements that I said I was trying to kill people. I felt terrible for causing that accident and the related damages and harm but the system truly is deeply fucked.
eeeeeeeeeeeee 10y ago
Considering right now it's the federal government protecting civil rights and not the cities, states, and municipalities, then yes, I would say we need this.
x86_64Ubuntu 10y ago
>...This would mean more power residing in the federal government. Do we really need more power to be centralized Yes. Local governments have shown they care not for the rights of citizens and the Constitution in general. People like to say "what if the Fed did the opposite". but all too often the Fed is the only rescue from oppressive local regimes.
deleted 10y ago
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by IpV8 10y ago

Retric 10y ago

From what I have seen Federal is less corrupt than state, and state is less corrupt than Local. So, in terms of justice we are probably better off centralizing it. Honestly, I suspect the only reason for local cops is they will actually enforce the little rules like what time of day people can put out their trash cans.

wfo 10y ago

According to what I understood from the article, a trial is not even relevant. Lawyers are barely relevant. A prosecutor threatens someone with a life-destroying extreme sentence, and they take the short plea term. Confess to this crime you may have committed or we will destroy you. End of story. No trial, no long discussion, your lawyer will advise you to take the deal because facing 30 years in prison for a minor offense is a very real possibility. The cops will lie in court and be believed, forensic science will be fabricated, it's just not worth the risk. Federal or state.

fisherjeff 10y ago
Not to mention you most likely get out of jail more quickly by taking the plea than if you waited for a trial. Restating for emphasis: These deals work because you'll be in jail longer if proven innocent than if you falsely plead guilty.
c22 10y ago
After being in a car accident (my fault) without insurance and in which another driver broke an arm I was arrested and held in jail for two months at which point I was given the option of going to court on a charges of "assault with a deadly weapon" and related miscellany or pleading to "hit and run" and getting released immediately with time served. This despite the fact that I was arrested next to my capsized vehicle. The prosecution had completely fabricated police statements that I said I was trying to kill people. I felt terrible for causing that accident and the related damages and harm but the system truly is deeply fucked.

eeeeeeeeeeeee 10y ago

Considering right now it's the federal government protecting civil rights and not the cities, states, and municipalities, then yes, I would say we need this.

x86_64Ubuntu 10y ago

>...This would mean more power residing in the federal government. Do we really need more power to be centralized Yes. Local governments have shown they care not for the rights of citizens and the Constitution in general. People like to say "what if the Fed did the opposite". but all too often the Fed is the only rescue from oppressive local regimes.

deleted 10y ago

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