AR Deputy Prosecutor Fired For Speaking Out Against Jail Time For People Who Fall Behind On Rent

[TheBlackAdder]

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Only in Arkansas is being behind on rent considered a crime. Attorney Josh Drake spoke up about the cruelty of prosecuting renters. He was fired for it.

An Arkansas prosecutor has been fired after speaking out against the state’s criminal eviction statute in an October ProPublica story. Garland County deputy prosecutor Josh Drake was let go from his position on Oct. 31 by Michelle Lawrence, the prosecuting attorney.

Arkansas is the only state where landlords can file criminal charges rather than civil complaints against tenants for falling behind on rent. Drake told ProPublica, “I hate that law. It’s unconstitutional.” It constitutes cruel and unusual punishment, he said, echoing other Arkansas legal experts and advocates across the political spectrum.

Under the law, which dates to 1901, if a tenant’s rent is a day overdue, they forfeit their right to be in the property. If they don’t leave their homes within 10 days of getting a notice from their landlords, they can be charged with a misdemeanor and fined for each day they overstay.
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Drake had been prosecuting cases on behalf of Garland County, in central Arkansas, since March 2018 on a part-time basis. Lawrence called Drake into her office the day after ProPublica’s story ran and said she was firing him because his remarks drew media and statewide attention to her office, Drake said.

https://crooksandliars.com/2020/11/deputy-prosecutor-fired-speaking-out

There's more. You just have to read it.

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[LisaM]

1. I think AK is Alaska. n/t

[The Roux Comes First]

2. Always Has Been for Me

[LuvNewcastle]

3. Yes, Arkansas is AR.

[TheBlackAdder]

5. Thanks! That was a Big Duh on my part!

[I_UndergroundPanther]

4. Renter economy needs to die with capitalism.