Supreme Court: California must end prison crowding

[NYC Liberal]

The Supreme Court has affirmed a federal order against California to reduce its overflowing prison population, a situation the majority said "falls below the standard of decency."

The 5-4 ruling from the justices came in a classic battle over state versus federal authority, focusing on whether U.S courts can step in and essentially run state prisons when officials have repeatedly violated basic constitutional guarantees afforded inmates.

http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/05/23/supreme-court-california-must-end-prison-crowding/

Majority: Kennedy, Ginsburg, Breyer, Sotomayor, Kagan
Dissent: Scalia, Thomas, Alito, Roberts

[meow mix]

1. legalize pot... stops an illegal war against american people which is destroying thier lives

and solves the prison problem

[Le Taz Hot]

4. We're working on it.

There's a Hemp Legalization Bill in the Leg. as we speak (SB 676) and full-out legalization of marijuana is going to be on the 2012 ballot.

In all honesty, though, California's prisons are not privatized and we jail FAAAARRRRR less people for marijuana than do the other states (well, except for maybe Oregon but you know those crazy Oregonians ;-)). We also have a policy wherein first-time possession offenders are AUTOMATICALLY sent to rehab instead of jail time -- that was achieved in the referendum process as well. Now, if the rest of the country would just get on board . . . ;-)

[WingDinger]

9. With retroactive review.

[tridim]

2. CA did try to legalize Cannabis. At least the voters are trying to fix the problem.

RW politics, greed and religion said no.

[Bluenorthwest]

3. As Oscar Wilde said

“If this is how Her Majesty treats her prisoners then she doesn't deserve to have any.”

[kestrel91316]

5. Free the pot smokers and small-time dealers NOW!!

[izquierdista]

6. Perhaps Jerry can take out his pardon pen

or commute all the pot-smokers to time served.

[Romulox]

8. Jerry Brown opposed Prop 19.

He's another Drug Warrior/hypocrite. :shrug:

[Romulox]

7. Unrec; This very same SCOTUS recently affirmed warrantless searches in drug cases

Judicial schizophrenia.

[WingDinger]

10. Only when provable concern of evidence tampering is plain.

Oh, and I had four cops, guns drawn, banging and ringing, at midnite. Insisted to come inside immediately, as I had been reported beating a woman, and throwing her against walls. Cops said they heard a woman crying. For fifteen minutes. So, they claimed that they didn't need any warrant. I said that I could not stop them physically, so do as they are going to do. I lived alone, and had been sleeping since eight. They started spewing right wing talking points. I am a hear patient, and was growing, as part of my meds. But more importantly, they were genuinely shocked at this. They knew NOTHING of med mar law, so I lectured them. Then, I addressed their right wing talking points. In cuffs. Finally, the head cop that had been called, cut me loose, after a facial photo, and several of the grow. I smiled broadly. Even though my license was one month in arrears.

The cop said just let them in right away next time. i said if I knew they were my pals, I certainly would have. The head cop said, I'm not your pal. I said, OK, then employee. He said, no you are not, You aren't paying any taxes right now. I said Touche'. Then the other cop said no letting them right in, made them certain that I was guilty.

Moral of story, keep your head, know your rights. It might not matter right now, but it will in court.

I could write a book about the entirity of it all. I had two months prior, busted up a cop/ judge corruption racket, calling it mordida, in my appeal letter. AG had their asses, and shut down their extralegal traffic scam. They wanted me bad.

[Romulox]

11. The Court has identified something like *18* exceptions to the Fourth Amendment

requirement to obtain a warrant before conducting a search. There is no doubt they will have no problem identifying the 19th, when the time comes.

"Moral of story, keep your head, know your rights."

You have the right to do as you're told--any other rights have long be subsumed by their exceptions.

[WingDinger]

12. You dont get it.. It will matter in court, If they have the balls to pursue.

But, until court, they say how high to jump, unless you are far more intelligent, and insult them above their heads.

Oh, and they are ordered to clear the prisons.

[Romulox]

13. No, I guess I *don't* get it.

"It will matter in court, If they have the balls to pursue."

I don't think you understand my comment. Your case will likely provided the 19th exception.

[LynneSin]

14. That's going to be kinda tough if the feds keep going after Marijuana

nuff said