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Manhattan DA's office drops more than 3,000 open marijuana cases

reuters.com

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Re: Manhattan DA's office drops more than 3,000 open marijuana cases

#41

Post by rsj_hn »

kibwen wrote: post #6

I applaud the move. Curious that these cases stretch as far back as 1978, isn't there a statute of limitations for this sort of charge? If so, I would have expected the oldest to have been closed automatically decades ago.

Yeah, far too often, prosecutors try to cut a name for themselves by vigorously prosecuting, rather than by vigorously refusing to prosecute, so this is a refreshing turn.

From a systems point of view, I'm uncomfortable with the idea of electing prosecutors for this reason -- it might be better if they were appointed and held to basic broad metrics like violent crime rates and quality of life changes versus costs of incarceration. In fact, it might be better if there was less media attention placed on prosecutors in general, as this is often a stepping stone to other types of political office. I'd even go so far as to ban them from higher office for a period of time after their term is up. It just seems like the pursuit of justice is the last thing you want to politicize, and if it wasn't politicized, but there was an emphasis on efficiency, we would never have spent so much money on low level crimes in the first place.

Re: Manhattan DA's office drops more than 3,000 open marijuana cases

#42

Post by notafraudster »

digianarchist wrote: post #39
kevmo wrote: post #25

This is likely stemming at least in part from Cynthia Nixon's strong run for the Democratic nomination for governor of New York. She is running to the left of the current governor, Andrew Cuomo (Mario Cuomo's son), and has been making these sorts of outdated drug charges an issue.

Cuomo's polling numbers are up today but even last week he was 40 points ahead. She hasn't got a snowball's chance in hell of winning this primary.

I agree (and have advised friends to make money on PredictIt soaking up the liquidity from people emotionally investing in her chances).

However, that's often not the point. If you are progressive (conservative) there is a strong incentive to challenge incumbents on your own side because any impact you have on the ideas discussed is likely to work in your favor; and indeed it's possible the incumbent agrees with you on those issues but just wants political cover to acquiesce. So I'm not really troubled if Cuomo happens to discover a more progressive streak or makes some concessions even though he's going to pulverize her come polling day.

I think it would be accurate to say that Nixon has run an unusually strong campaign and done an unusually good job of calling attention to real issues, even knowing she has no chance of winning and isn't a serious candidate by that standard.

[Note: I am not a resident of NY State and can't legally vote in the state I live in.]

Re: Manhattan DA's office drops more than 3,000 open marijuana cases

#43

Post by kibwen »

ucha wrote: post #13
kibwen wrote: post #6

I applaud the move. Curious that these cases stretch as far back as 1978, isn't there a statute of limitations for this sort of charge? If so, I would have expected the oldest to have been closed automatically decades ago.

The statute of limitation applies to the time between the moment the crime was committed and the moment charges are filed. If charges were filled and warrants were issued in 1978 but the "fugitive" was not caught, the statute of limitation won't apply, and the suspect could still be arrested now.

Aha, I didn't realize that statue of limitations only limited charging. Clearly I should have paid more attention in social studies. :P

Re: Manhattan DA's office drops more than 3,000 open marijuana cases

#44

Post by IncRnd »

> Vance announced earlier this year that his office would no longer prosecute marijuana smoking and possession cases.

People who believe smoking marijuana shouldn't be illegal may agree with this, but the better path seems to be to change the law. Otherwise, we are letting prosecutors decide which laws will get prosecuted.

I'm not referring to selective prosecution based upon the merits of a case but a prosecutor who can decide to completely stop prosecuting theft, embezzlement, or murder. The end doesn't justify the means.

Re: Manhattan DA's office drops more than 3,000 open marijuana cases

#45

Post by gnulinux »

dj43nq wrote: post #32

I wonder what the economic / race demographics of these cases are?

I wonder this too. I would want to explore a dataset regarding this. Maybe there should be a startup collecting/exploring data regarding social justice issues. Would be so much easier to make rational policies and convince the public that there exists a problem or vice versa

Re: Manhattan DA's office drops more than 3,000 open marijuana cases

#46

Post by bbddg »

true_religion wrote: post #33
everdev wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think the majority like the idea but surprised there isn't a financial effort from the prison and associated industries to fight the idea. If it works though, it's a huge win for getting minor offenders out of concrete cages.

Goverment officials can just ignore financial efforts of private companies, when their reelection campaign is not dependent on that money. If by fighting a private company, you make voters happy then those votes directly gotten can be worth more than any votes that added campaign funds would possibly give.

That's not at all what happens in reality.

Re: Manhattan DA's office drops more than 3,000 open marijuana cases

#47

Post by solveit »

IncRnd wrote: post #44

> Vance announced earlier this year that his office would no longer prosecute marijuana smoking and possession cases. People who believe smoking marijuana shouldn't be illegal may agree with this, but the better path seems to be to change the law. Otherwise, we are letting prosecutors decide which laws will get prosecuted. I'm not referring to selective prosecution based upon the merits of a case but a prosecutor who…

They have that power quite by design, I believe.

Re: Manhattan DA's office drops more than 3,000 open marijuana cases

#49

Post by Alex3917 »

digianarchist wrote: post #39
kevmo wrote: post #25

This is likely stemming at least in part from Cynthia Nixon's strong run for the Democratic nomination for governor of New York. She is running to the left of the current governor, Andrew Cuomo (Mario Cuomo's son), and has been making these sorts of outdated drug charges an issue.

Cuomo's polling numbers are up today but even last week he was 40 points ahead. She hasn't got a snowball's chance in hell of winning this primary.

> Cuomo's polling numbers are up today but even last week he was 40 points ahead.

I mean Joe Crowley would have probably been 40 points ahead if that race had been polled. I realize it's not the same, but state polls in midterm primaries must have an enormous margin of error.

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