Nowadays, criminal justice reform is a hot topic, especially after President Biden vowed to pursue change while on the campaign trail. Those reforms were slow to actualize, but a group from Pennsylvania is preparing to change that.
Earlier this month, over 100 PA attorney generals, police chiefs, and prosecutors sent a letter to President Biden to start the process. The group is asking President Biden to fulfill his campaign promises and establish a task force to initiate change in a system that many believe is unfair, inconsistent, and downright draconian.
What is the Purpose of Reform?
Every facet of the criminal justice system in the United States needs an upgrade. From policing to lengthy incarceration times, a new and more progressive way to approach criminal justice is key to improving the lives of Americans affected by the inconsistency.
Miriam Aroni Krinsky, a former prosecutor and executive director of the group Fair and Just Prosecution, mentioned that the main driver of change would be to focus on local prosecutors. Krinsky's organization also hopes that the government will incentivize change to implement the task force's recommendations.
Due to the multiple inconsistencies in the system, some people receive longer sentences, parole, probation, and face pressure to accept plea deals. With the establishment of a task force, an overhaul to the current system can create positive change, significantly improving the lives of formerly or currently incarcerated inmates. Moreover, since the proposal
The Difference Criminal Justice Reform Makes
The American criminal justice system is long overdue for change, and the prompting of the PA group increases accountability for prosecutorial policies. The implementation of the policies, as emphasized by Krinsky, needs to operate outside of the Justice Department. Grants and changes to existing federal policies may encourage prosecutors to implement the reforms after the task force releases its recommendations, which might take a year.
For those facing the system, these changes would likely decrease incarceration times for non-violent crimes and allow more nuance to improve the handling of these cases. If left to the whims of local prosecutors, those facing the system don't stand a chance, especially since these prosecutors can take away their freedoms and leave them with a criminal record.
What Reform Means for You
Most people affected by the criminal justice system understand how difficult life becomes during and after incarceration. Even with non-violent crimes, some alleged offenders receive unjust sentences and are under the mercy of local prosecutors. With a revised and uniform change in prosecutorial policies, the criminal justice system will become fairer and more constructive and is less likely to ruin the lives of offenders after their release.
If you need expert help from an experienced PA Attorney who thoroughly understands the criminal justice system, contact our Criminal Law Team and the LLF Law Firm. With years of experience handling complex cases with everything at stake, our Criminal Law Team helps you receive the best possible outcome for your case. Call the LLF Law Firm today for more information at 888-535-3686.
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