Criminal Justice
Powell, Michael. "Bragging of Safety While Many Live in Fear." New York Times. 22 April, 2014. Retrieved online: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/22/nyregion/bragging-of-safety-while-many-live-in-fear.html
In this article, Michael Powell claims that in spite of New York City's stellar record of crime reduction there remain "sad and bloody corners" of the city, especially in the outer boroughs. In some areas, and especially in low-income housing projects, crime has actually increased. Another problem that Powell addresses in this article is the issue of stop and frisk as a police tactic. This tactic is abused, and is clearly racist in its application. As a result, the administration of Mayor De Blasio confronts several civil rights lawsuits. Powell touches upon a central issue in criminal justice: the need to balance patrols and prevention with an overbearing police presence. Some residents appreciate the strong police presence because it may make their housing developments safer. Yet others feel like they are living under constant surveillance, all because they are poor and not white. I do not have any answers, but would say that a balance is most certainly necessary. All citizens have a right to police protection, but the police should engage the residents and ensure that their presence is appreciated. Perhaps there are better ways to empower residents or make the police presence less intense.
Zernike, Kate. "Panel Proposes Changes to New Jersey Bail System." New York Times. 20 March, 2014. Retrieved online: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/21/nyregion/panel-recommends-significant-changes-to-new-jersey-bail-system.html
Under current law, the defendant is held or released based on their ability to pay/meet bail. The revised law uses the risk the defendant poses to society as the determining factor. Theoretically, the switch presents less of a bias against the poor and disenfranchised, who are commonly underserved by the system. Therefore, these changes are absolutely necessary. It makes no sense to release a violent criminal who happens to have money, while detaining a nonviolent offender who happens to be poor. The only problem with the new method is determining "risk." It is categorically impossible to know what risk a person poses with certainty.
Goldstein, Joseph. "F.B.I. Audit of Database that Indexes DNA Finds Errors in Profiles." New York Times. 24 Jan, 2014. Retrieved online: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/25/nyregion/fbi-audit-of-database-that-indexes-dna-finds-errors-in-profiles.html
This article reveals frightening errors in the national DNA database, which has been recently audited. Only a relative handful of errors were found, but still, it only takes one error to alter the course of a person's life. Discovering errors in the processing of DNA evidence has in some cases led to the release of criminals who had been wrongfully accused and wrongfully convicted. While these errors are disturbing, it is important to note that criminal justice professionals are human beings. Errors are inevitable. Yet more should be done…
