Should Prosecutors Pursue Minor Crimes?

Open to Debate

Education, Society & Culture, News, Government, Politics

4.5 • 2.1K Ratings

🗓️ 7 July 2023

⏱️ 52 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In the US, misdemeanors count for 80% of cases filed annually, but district attorneys around the country are implementing policies stating they’ll no longer prosecute certain low-level, nonviolent crimes. Those who argue “yes” say it keeps communities safe and not strengthening sentencing will let violent criminals back in public and increase crime. Those who argue “no” say it doesn’t deter criminals and distracts from better solutions. Now, we debate: “Should Prosecutors Pursue Minor Crimes?” Arguing Yes: John Milhiser, former US attorney for the Central District of Illinois Arguing No: Paul Butler, former federal prosecutor at the U.S. Department of Justice Emmy award-winning journalist John Donvan moderates Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Nippin' out to get bin bugs!
0:01.2	We've got some!
0:02.8	Well, I better take the dog out.
0:04.4	We don't have a dog.
0:05.4	Okay, okay.
0:06.4	The double big mark is Buck and McDonald's.
0:08.9	Right. Get the keys.
0:10.3	The double big Mac and new double big Mac with Bacon are here for a limited time.
0:13.9	Don't miss it.
0:15.9	Available until the first of August served after 11am, subject to availability,
0:18.9	participating in restaurant assembly.
0:23.5	Hey everybody, and welcome to Open to Debate.
0:26.0	I'm John Donvan.
0:27.0	And in this episode, we're doing a debate about an experiment in justice.
0:31.9	So, around the US and some of the bigger cities,
0:35.0	the decision's been made by a lot of head prosecutors that they are just not going to prosecute
0:40.2	a whole range of crimes that fall into the category of minor, misdemeanors.
0:44.6	Basically, those people who commit those crimes are going to get a pass
0:48.4	on being pulled into the criminal justice system.
0:50.6	This idea has been put into practice in New York and Boston and Chicago and San Francisco
0:55.8	and St. Louis and Milwaukee, among other places.
0:58.5	And as you guessed, it is very controversial.
	...

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