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TacoD

(581 posts)
Mon Aug 24, 2015, 04:50 PM Aug 2015

Ferguson judge withdraws all arrest warrants before 2015 [View all]

Source: CNN

The municipal court judge in Ferguson, Missouri, on Monday announced sweeping changes to the city's court system, including an order to withdraw all arrest warrants issued in that city before December 31, 2014.

Municipal Court Judge Donald McCullin, who was appointed in June, also changed the conditions for pretrial release. According to a press release put out by Ferguson, all defendants will be given new court dates with alternative penalties like payment plans or community service.

Ferguson became the focal point of a national debate about race and policing in August 2014, after then-city police Officer Darren Wilson, who is white, shot and killed teenager Michael Brown, who is black.

A grand jury declined to charge Wilson in that case. Yet protests surrounding it also revealed other issues involving Ferguson police and the municipal court system.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/24/us/ferguson-missouri-court-changes/



ETA: Earlier CNN story (Aug. 6): One year later: Ferguson is still pumping out arrest warrants
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W O W randys1 Aug 2015 #1
WOW is right!! Number23 Aug 2015 #8
Wow again! JustAnotherGen Aug 2015 #47
I'd like them to do a form of jubilee and start from fresh. With DOJ oversight for a few years. freshwest Aug 2015 #57
This needs to be its own post JustAnotherGen Aug 2015 #64
Holder's DOJ did find the PD had a pattern of abuse in this area... Lynch may be on them, too. n/t freshwest Aug 2015 #54
#BLM alcibiades_mystery Aug 2015 #2
Making a difference -- one courtroom at a time Supersedeas Aug 2015 #84
Such great news ... Trajan Aug 2015 #3
They, of course, Madmiddle Aug 2015 #70
Were all arrest warrants invalid? thebighobgoblin Aug 2015 #4
When the bag of potatoes is rotten it's best to just throw it out and get a new one. Ed Suspicious Aug 2015 #5
great point/response CatWoman Aug 2015 #14
If you have a point, make it Enrique Aug 2015 #9
Why is it necessarily rhetorical? thebighobgoblin Aug 2015 #20
I think what it means is GitRDun Aug 2015 #28
Warrants may not be bogus thebighobgoblin Aug 2015 #31
I do think they can re-charge in those cases where they need to eom GitRDun Aug 2015 #32
Don't you think the people of Ferguson have been through enough and been wronged enough cui bono Aug 2015 #61
Because judges go out of their way to release dangerous criminals? marble falls Aug 2015 #60
This is wonderful news passiveporcupine Aug 2015 #6
That sends a pretty powerful message to those responsible for corruption. And it sends a powerful Ed Suspicious Aug 2015 #7
Too good to be true???? I hope it is true. If so, it is wonderful work. JDPriestly Aug 2015 #10
It's nice to have some good news for a change. sheshe2 Aug 2015 #11
As long as the city is still using these civil fines as the primary revenue procon Aug 2015 #12
A new state law limits how much of a city's budget can come from fines. (nt) jeff47 Aug 2015 #34
What if they try the old hide it as a fee maneuver like court "fees"? cstanleytech Aug 2015 #45
IIRC, it applies to anything that comes out of the municipal courts no matter what they call it. nt jeff47 Aug 2015 #72
You are correct. IF this does not mean the end of old system of arrests jwirr Aug 2015 #49
Sorry to disagree with a lot of DUers on this but this is unnecessarily broad.... JudyM Aug 2015 #13
Municipal Court only handles traffic fines and the like, not felonies Lurks Often Aug 2015 #18
And so all people who commit these offenses should not have their warrants overturned? thebighobgoblin Aug 2015 #21
What are you going on about? Lurks Often Aug 2015 #42
And my question stands: thebighobgoblin Aug 2015 #46
The harm caused to the significant number of citizens victimized by the extortionary police force alcibiades_mystery Aug 2015 #52
omg who ARE you??? sunnystarr Aug 2015 #56
It's civil fines. christx30 Aug 2015 #62
Your question bordered on incoherent Lurks Often Aug 2015 #66
And no change to the system is going to happen christx30 Aug 2015 #68
Nah, it was pretty coherent thebighobgoblin Aug 2015 #82
you are mercuryblues Aug 2015 #22
I agree that thebighobgoblin Aug 2015 #27
Think of it like a large damages awad in a lawsuit Tom Rinaldo Aug 2015 #29
At the same time the police Igel Aug 2015 #38
Can you provide the stats for thiefs, rapists, and murderers in Ferguson JustAnotherGen Aug 2015 #65
None, Municipal Court only handles traffic fines and the like, not felonies Lurks Often Aug 2015 #67
I didn't think the poster could JustAnotherGen Aug 2015 #69
Ok thanks for the clarification, MercuryThyme. JudyM Aug 2015 #77
that mercuryblues Aug 2015 #81
That's a start. So much still to be done. Dark n Stormy Knight Aug 2015 #15
This should happen across the USA in all the thousands & thousands of 'fergusons' Sunlei Aug 2015 #16
Kicked and recommended! Enthusiast Aug 2015 #17
What about warrants issued this year? truebluegreen Aug 2015 #19
whoa dang! frylock Aug 2015 #23
Holy schnikies JackInGreen Aug 2015 #24
To the people who kept whining that you can't legislate anti-racism. Starry Messenger Aug 2015 #25
Not legislation. n/t Igel Aug 2015 #39
Different branch of the government. Same sentiment. Chakab Aug 2015 #41
Holy crap! This is huge! blackspade Aug 2015 #26
Giving people a chance to break the cycle Babel_17 Aug 2015 #30
HUGE K & R !!! - Thank You !!! WillyT Aug 2015 #33
You're Welcome (nt) TacoD Aug 2015 #79
Next step is to drop a whole bunch of charges and convictions.... Spitfire of ATJ Aug 2015 #35
Yes, save the "careful review" for the felony and misdemeanor charges alcibiades_mystery Aug 2015 #40
Then there's the word to drive the Right insane.... Spitfire of ATJ Aug 2015 #44
Appropriate Action FreakinDJ Aug 2015 #36
The correct call: separating the wheat from the chafe of Ferguson's extortionary, gangster-like alcibiades_mystery Aug 2015 #37
K & R SunSeeker Aug 2015 #43
Now THIS is a step forward. I am so glad this judge had the courage to jwirr Aug 2015 #48
KnR Hekate Aug 2015 #50
Isn't that where they get all their revenue, albeit illicitly? They can't tax rich people, so valerief Aug 2015 #51
Yes, the wealthy and white of Ferguson will now have to figure out their revenue sources alcibiades_mystery Aug 2015 #53
Ferguson got 15% of their revenue Crabby Appleton Aug 2015 #55
Glad to hear it. It's a good first step. closeupready Aug 2015 #58
Ferguson municipal judge announces sweeping changes Judi Lynn Aug 2015 #59
Major victory!! n/t eridani Aug 2015 #63
I hope this means that Ferguson is going to stop using its residents as an ATM Jack Rabbit Aug 2015 #71
WATCH OUT - Fox head's are going to explode packman Aug 2015 #73
What Jack Rabbit said. Also, Judges alone can't do it. They can only frame a legal basis ancianita Aug 2015 #74
Great news. Thanks for posting. nm rhett o rick Aug 2015 #75
You're Welcome (nt) TacoD Aug 2015 #80
Kick and R BeanMusical Aug 2015 #76
Wow! K&R - this is amazing news. myrna minx Aug 2015 #78
The Ferguson PD and court system are a gang running a "serve and protection" racket. They tblue37 Aug 2015 #83
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