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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThe Right Is Using Waukesha As a Weapon Against Bail Reform
Brooks has a lengthy criminal history, with more than a dozen arrests going back to 1999, the Journal Sentinel reported. On Monday, the office of Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm said Brooks bail was set inappropriately low and not consistent with the DAs approach toward matters involving violent crime, and pledged an internal review of the bail recommendation.
But although Chisholms office quickly said Brooks low bail was a mistake, conservative politicians and commentators immediately seized on the story as evidence that the broader push for bail reform is at fault for the tragedy.
In particular, they highlighted a 2018 tweet from Chisholmwho was first elected in 2006promoting an assistant district attorneys quote on the offices effort to not keeping individuals held unnecessarily on cash bail in the Milwaukee County Jail.
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On Tuesday, Masters tweeted a screenshot from a 2013 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel report on Chisholms offices diversion programs for nonviolent drug offenders, which references a Chisholm quote from six years before that. Is there going to be an individual I divert, or I put into treatment program, who's going to go out and kill somebody? Chisholm told the Journal Sentinel in 2007. You bet. Guaranteed. It's guaranteed to happen. It does not invalidate the overall approach.
https://www.vice.com/en/article/3abqmn/waukesha-darrell-brooks-bail-reform
exboyfil
(17,914 posts)He should have had overrides in place for low bail for someone who attempts to run another person over (and that is just one of the charges).
If the GOP had ordered this thing up from central casting, it could be no more perfect. Expect them to Willie Horton this all the way through 2022.
whathehell
(29,542 posts)This guy tried to run over his girlfriend with his car..I would call this
Atempted Murder -- and he's let out on $1,000 bail? Incredibly irresponsible.
The poster above is right.-- The bill should have contained overrides for those charged with violent crime, especially something as serious as Attempted Murder.
Devil Child
(2,728 posts)Provided so you can read the entirety of the original 2007 article that Vice references.
https://archive.jsonline.com/watchdog/noquarter/overdose-death-highlights-deferred-prosecutions-in-milwaukee-county-b99101314z1-224745852.html/?page=1
TheRealNorth
(9,626 posts)Bail is used to ensure a person shows up to court. The question is whether he should have been released at all, given his history or priors.
whathehell
(29,542 posts)That works for me. He shouldn't have been released at all
Igel
(35,893 posts)Sometimes bail is set in a way that theoretically allows release but practically denies it.
$1000 basically says, "Yeah, you can go."
I don't think he should have been released, but part of that is in hindsight. Harris County, TX, altered its bail policies. A couple of years later, an analysis showed that a lot of those released without bail in year one were back at the beginning of year two for something worse, and by the end of year two had moved up from trivial to felony. Causing a pushback--how many people that messed up one are worth being let out without trial given the harm that some will cause to their neighborhoods?
TheRealNorth
(9,626 posts)The severity of the crime can increase the the flight risk. If the crime you are accused of is a guarantee of life in prison, a person is more likely to go on the run then if you are busted for a crime where the max penalty is something like 90 days.
Not sure why the bail is 5 million now - the guy is a danger to others and should not be out of jail period. Why a person like him should be released only if they have 5 million is beyond me.
Plus, I do think politics plays into the judge and DA's decisions.
MichMan
(12,648 posts)I have a friend who was killed in July 2020 after being struck as a pedestrian by a hit and run driver doing a burnout in a parking lot. The unlicensed driver fled the scene and turned themselves in the next day. There was no disputing the facts of the case.
Due I suppose to the pandemic, and who knows what other reasons, the sentencing didn't happen for 15 months, even though there was a plea deal and no trial. 15 months !
jimfields33
(18,024 posts)This was stupid and a gift wrapped message for them.
TheRealNorth
(9,626 posts)Because racial minorities are more likely to get caught up in the criminal justice system. I think the attempt to correct the racial biases in the system have either gone too far or are being implemented poorly for whatever reason.
Funny that those same voices that wanted to let criminals out of jail because of Covid are nowhere to be found now.
whathehell
(29,542 posts)I can attest to the fact that neither I, nor any of my fellows SJWs, advocate for lenience in cases of attempted murder.
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