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My knowledge of US justice systems is mostly from films... are judges in the US elected? I seem to remember prosecutors are at least. I saw a terrifying series
by rich_sasha 6y ago
My knowledge of US justice systems is mostly from films... are judges in the US elected? I seem to remember prosecutors are at least.
I saw a terrifying series about people confessing to crimes they did not commit, and the struggle to reverse their sentences. One person, proven by DNA to be innocent, would still not have their charges dropped. The prosecutor said his community believed the accused guilty so he cannot go against them.
- choppaface 6y agoThe "DeSantis judge" I mention was appointed by DeSantis (the Governer, who has been pro Trump on a number of issues). Here's an article that is (AFAICT) is rather neutral regarding the judge: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/joshua-hawkes-rebekah-jones-florida-covid-whistleblower-raid-b1771556.html https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politic...
- Matticus_Rex 6y agoIt depends on where in the US. In some places judges and DAs are appointed, and in some they're elected. The issues of extorted confessions and forced pleas happen with both elected and unelected DAs.
- rich_sasha 6y agoYeah sure, I more meant “I can’t piss off my voters” as an argument in legal proceedings. This gives me the chills.
- Matticus_Rex 6y agoAh. If he said that, he's more open than most, but IMO the more insidious effects are hidden. I keep this thread bookmarked (popped up on Reddit best-of a while back) as one of the best explanations of the internals. It aligns with what my colleagues who went into criminal law tell me: https://np.reddit.com/r/Anarcho_Capitalism/comments/2qv6o0/molyneux_goes_full_potato_claims_that_selling/cnb0ubd/?context=3 https://np.reddit.com/r/Anarcho_Capitalism/comments/2qv6o0/m...