More arrests guarantee more work and employment opportunities for prison guards, policemen, prosecutors, criminal defense attorneys, court personnel (clerks and court stenographers), and the entire infrastructure that profits from their business. And both justice and common sense be damned.

A slap along side the head or a swift kick in the butt worked years ago. Then the progressives butted in and said "Hey! you can't do that. Arrest them instead."

We call them quality of life arrests in NYC. The idea being that if minor crimes result in arrest, the climate will be less friendly to more dangerous criminals. You have to break an awful lot of eggs to make that omelet though.

Everyone needs an arrest because we are not all fingerprinted, photographed, and entered into a database otherwise.

"If that place is indicitive of the criminal justice system, they might as well let everyone out, it's FAR worse inside. THOSE MEN WANTED TO HAVE SEX WITH ME!!!!"

Dan Ackroyd - Trading Places

Moder8, it's not so much the prison industrial complex as it is asset forfeiture, and revocation of voting rights and government aid (housing, stamps, etc). The unions certainly have a lot at stake in seeing huge prison populations, but with all the plea bargaining going on, the real issue I think is that the civil forfeiture laws bankroll police departments.

Policing for Profit: Abuse of Civil Asset Forfeiture

#5 | Posted by eberly at 2011-12-19 02:54 PM | Reply | Flag:

Words I hope to hear from Eric Holder in the near future,,,

Adamm, I agree that asset forfeiture is a big part of it. Many county and city police departments rely heavily on such forfeitures. I also agree that prison unions have played a big role in increasing the number of offenses for which you can even go to prison. But it is sick. Somewhere along the way the notion of pursuing common sense and justice was lost.

Well if you can run for president talking about how you overcame your coke-and-pot youth, then throw coke-and-pot black youth in jail after they voted for you 90-10, then why even bother with pursing justice?

Fool me twice, shame on me. We only have ourselves to blame when we time and time again excuse our "leaders."

We only have ourselves to blame when we time and time again excuse our "leaders."

Blaming people doesn't solve problems.

Never said it did.

it's immoral.
see: those things are immoral today, that's why you get to go to jail and i don't.
see: ownership society, at 23 very few are members, a lucky few.

We should arrest everybody who applies for a driver's license, copy of birth certificate, social security card, etc. That way everybody will have a criminal record, have fingerprints on file, drug test results, etc. It will make it easier to control the population.

Arrest everyone with bad teeth. Then deport them.

We should arrest everybody who applies for a driver's license, copy of birth certificate, social security card, etc. That way everybody will have a criminal record, have fingerprints on file, drug test results, etc.

I've supplied all of that at one time or another without having to be arrested.

Have a DL
supplied Birth cert when got married or something else I think
registered to vote
registered for draft
applied for securities license in the past and had to be fingerprinted.
applied for life insurance several times over the years and employment has required at least 4 drug tests that I can think of and I have offered medical records, if required, to satisfy insurance underwriting.

I've also voted, filed tax returns, bank accounts, etc....

but never been arrested.....

Arrest everyone with bad teeth.

we haven't managed to criminalize not having dental insurance.......yet.

#9 | POSTED BY MODER8

The biggest push against marijuana legalization, medicinal marijuana, or any lessoning of penalties to drug related crimes in California has come from the prison guard's union. If it weren't for the "need to save prison jobs," marijuana would probably already be legal and thousands of people would not have entered the criminal justice system.

Thankfully bill 1449 was signed into law last year, making any possession of less than an ounce punishable only by a ticket ($100 fine, no court appearance, and no record). Marijuana possession used to be the only misdemeanor offense that held no possible jail time as a penalty. That has now changed and the youth of California will only benefit from it.

As a society, we have to finally accept the fact that some people want to inebriate themselves in one way or another. In America, they have the right to do so. We also have to release the fixation of pushing people to use alcohol as the sole means of inebriation deemed acceptable (both legally and morally). A scientifically proven safer alternative is available; even more so, it is a product of mother nature.

If marijuana is legalized and regulated as an alternative, less people will abuse alcohol:

Legalization of medical marijuana is associated with increased use of marijuana among adults, but not among minors. In addition, legalization is associated with a nearly 9 percent decrease in traffic fatalities, most likely due to its impact on alcohol consumption. Our estimates provide strong evidence that marijuana and alcohol are substitutes.

"Arrest everyone with bad teeth."

Meth is a helluva drug.

Everyone needs an arrest because we are not all fingerprinted, photographed, and entered into a database otherwise.

#4 | POSTED BY KANREI AT 2011-12-19 02:53 PM | REPLY | FLAG:

says you. i'll bet that most everyone is in the system somewhere for some reason. i've been printed probably 10 times in my short life for various reasons, none of them dealing with a crime or suspicion of crime.

"fingerprinted, photographed, and entered into a database"

I call bullshit on the number...complete and utter nonsense. Lies, damn lies, and statistics.

Fool me twice, shame on me.

"Fool me once, shame on - shame on you. Fool me - you can't get fooled again."

-George W. Bush

Let's see how many on the Drudge have been arrested.

Beachbuzz - 2

Let's see how many on the Drudge have been arrested.

Beachbuzz - 2

There of course is a difference between never committing a crime and never being arrested. What this study inferentially indicates is that there used to also be a difference between getting caught for committing a crime and getting arrested by the police for it.

#25 | Posted by Beachbuzz at 2011-12-19 05:15 PM | Reply

What for?
Litterin'? Or creatin' a nuisance?

Sweet, I'm a 1%'er.

*sighs*

What for?
Litterin'? Or creatin' a nuisance?

Murder and armed robbery.

That'd be creatin' a nuisance.
I take it you didn't get the death penalty.

... quality of life arrests in NYC. The idea being that if minor crimes result in arrest, the climate will be less friendly to more dangerous criminals. -- #3 | Posted by Hagbard_Celine

Lol... sorta. The epicenter of the financial crisis thinks arresting litterers is the key to quality of life?

Does the mob still run construction there?

We should arrest everybody who applies for a driver's license, copy of birth certificate, social security card, etc. That way everybody will have a criminal record, have fingerprints on file, drug test results, etc. It will make it easier to control the population.

#14 | POSTED BY NULLIFIDIAN AT 2011-12-19 04:43 PM | REPLY | FLAG:

Or....we could just place the government in charge of our medical records via government health care where they would already have access to that information.

1 in 3 in the system by the age of 23.

Working as intended.

... quality of life arrests in NYC... -- #3 | Posted by Hagbard_Celine

You should check out "Young, Black, and Frisked by the N.Y.P.D." in yesterday's NYT. An excerpt:

They've already got every person 55 and older a slave to entitlements, and the poor to welfare. Since that's running out of money, prison must be the next best option.

"stop-and-frisks are a basic fact of daily life"

What country is this?

1 in 3 are stupid.

("Keep Your Eye on the Sparrow" by Dave Grusin and M. Ames)
Baretta Lyrics

Don't go to bed, with no price on your head
No, no, don't do it.

DON'T DO THE CRIME, IF YOU CAN'T DO THE TIME,
Yeah, don't do it.

And keep your eye on the sparrow.
When the going gets narrow.

Don't do it, don't do it.

Where can I go where the cold winds don't blow,
Now.

Well, well, well.

Let's see how many on the Drudge have been arrested.

1 time...despite my best efforts to increase that number

"Since that's running out of money, prison must be the next best option."

""Are there no prisons?" asked Scrooge.
"Plenty of prisons," said the gentleman, laying down the pen again.
"And the Union workhouses?" demanded Scrooge. "Are they still in operation?"
"They are. Still," returned the gentleman, "I wish I could say they were not."
"The Treadmill and the Poor Law are in full vigour, then?" said Scrooge.
"Both very busy, sir."
"Oh! I was afraid, from what you said at first, that something had occurred to stop them in their useful course," said Scrooge. "I'm very glad to hear it."
"Under the impression that they scarcely furnish Christian cheer of mind or body to the multitude," returned the gentleman, "a few of us are endeavouring to raise a fund to buy the Poor some meat and drink and means of warmth. We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices. What shall I put you down for?"
"Nothing!" Scrooge replied.
"You wish to be anonymous?"
"I wish to be left alone," said Scrooge. "Since you ask me what I wish, gentlemen, that is my answer. I don't make merry myself at Christmas and I can't afford to make idle people merry. I help to support the establishments I have mentioned -- they cost enough; and those who are badly off must go there."
"Many can't go there; and many would rather die."
"If they would rather die," said Scrooge, "they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population."

"despite my best efforts"

Made me think of Red Skelton's Freddie the Freeloader trying to get arrested so he'd have dinner.

Let's see how many on the Drudge have been arrested.

0...I was a pretty fast runner when I was younger...

"despite my best efforts"
Made me think of Red Skelton's Freddie the Freeloader trying to get arrested so he'd have dinner.
#41 | POSTED BY ZATOICHI AT 2011-12-19 06:00 PM |

I used to have a bit of a drug and alcohol problem. I often had unnecessary contact with the police. But, better to be lucky than smart.

I never got caught. All my friends seemed to get busted at some point or another. But never me. And I did a lot crazy stuff. The closest I ever came to getting arrested was a cop asking for my license, which I was reluctant to give him because there was contraband (which will remain unnamed) in a bindle hidden behind the licence. I handed my wallet to the cop, and he just read the info from my license through the clear plastic without removing it. The cop told me to drive slower and sent me on my way.

...last year, the N.Y.P.D. recorded more than 600,000 stops; 84 percent of those stopped were blacks or Latinos. Police are far more likely to use force when stopping blacks or Latinos than whites.

See, cops stop white guys too.

Try taking a picture in this country. I've been detained and had FBI background checks as a possible domestic terrorist not once but twice, for photographing a bridge at sunset from my kayak, and graffiti on a train. Those were just the FBI ones...

"he just read the info from my license through the clear plastic without removing it"

Not here. You take it out.

Last July 1 I was driving to Austin in my Carrera and was stopped by DPS; He thought my inspection sticker said '4' when it was a '6' and I had 5 days to get a new one. When he realized he had no probable cause he never asked for ID and in fact apologized. We both laughed, I thanked him for being there and we went on about our business.

...last year, the N.Y.P.D. recorded more than 600,000 stops; 84 percent of those stopped were blacks or Latinos.

Yes, Chris, one might infer that ~16% of those stopped were white.

See, cops stop white guys too.

#45 | Posted by CalifChris

That kind of anecdotal evidence is just so convincing. Who needs empirical data, anyway?

Last July 1 I was driving to Austin in my Carrera and was stopped by DPS; He thought my inspection sticker said '4' when it was a '6' and I had 5 days to get a new one. When he realized he had no probable cause he never asked for ID and in fact apologized. We both laughed, I thanked him for being there and we went on about our business.

#47 | Posted by Zatoichi at 2011-12-19 06:19 PM | Reply

Reader's Digest version: I own a Carrera.

Well I was arrested once for trespassing at ft fix while selling pots and pans. Was bullshit because you enter the base by just driving thru. When the mppp put a art16 to my head and said...freeze....I said ok!!! And kept very steady. The funniest part happened after they booked me. They booked my friend, and when they asked him his place of birth. Ernie told them....Budapest Hungary. The mp s eyes spun around like windmills!!!

Fort dixx nj

Ar 15

Been arrested half a dozen times. Shit happens when you love hookers and blow.

Shit happens when you love hookers and blow.

Glad to see you found the lord and changed your evil ways. I'll do a Tebow for you later.

I was reluctant to give him because there was contraband (which will remain unnamed) in a bindle hidden behind the licence.

Any good defense attorney will advise that you don't hide contraband behind your drivers license! Either up your ass or under a floor matt.

I was 19 at the time. But you are right, - no contraband in your wallet or on your person if you can avoid it. Always try to keep the reasonable doubt door open.

If you've not spent a night in a holding cell at least once in your life then you aren't living right.

Posted by johnny_hotsauce at 2011-12-19 07:56 PM | Reply

Scooter, I've never seen a holding cell.

A sensory deprivation tank ...

I am so glad I grew up before the internets, facebook and cameras on every corner. I would probably be doing 25 to life in some fine establishment!

Why do we have more people in prison than most other countries? Are we that much worse about breaking the law? Why do we have such a high teenage suicide rate? Is there something rotten in our society? That is a rhetorical question.

More arrests guarantee more work and employment opportunities for prison guards, policemen, prosecutors, criminal defense attorneys, court personnel (clerks and court stenographers), and the entire infrastructure that profits from their business. And both justice and common sense be damned.

#1 | Posted by moder8

The real money maker for the system and the real heart breaker isyoung boys 7,8,9,10 accused of being a sex offender by touching a girl classmate of the same age while playing and the sick parents of the girl looking for the deep pocket by trying to sue the school.

These boys lives are destroyed forever by these sickos without a care.Then in the end its unproven the boys parents are in debt for the rest of their lives.
The accuser just walks away free even if they lose as they were represented by some law firm on a contingency basis also looking for the deep pocket.

This was told to me by a friend that works for the D.O.C. .....Sick,sick,sick.

.......NOPE in 2012.....Then the unions of thr teachers.

Man? If you have not sat in the back of a squad car alone with your thoughts, or better yet done a bit of time....I don't even trust your conformist ass.

What for?
Litterin'? Or creatin' a nuisance?

#28 | POSTED BY ZATOICHI

ICWYDT!

And I, I walked over to the, to the bench there, and there is, Group W's where they put you if you may not be moral enough to join the army after committing your special crime, and there was all kinds of mean nasty ugly looking people on the bench there. Mother rapers. Father stabbers. Father rapers! Father rapers sitting right there on the bench next to me! And they was mean and nasty and ugly and horrible crime-type guys sitting on the bench next to me. And the meanest, ugliest, nastiest one, the meanest father raper of them all, was coming over to me and he was mean 'n' ugly 'n' nasty 'n' horrible and all kind of things and he sat down next to me and said, "Kid, whad'ya get?" I said, "I didn't get nothing, I had to pay $50 and pick up the garbage." He said, "What were you arrested for, kid?" And I said, "Littering." And they all moved away from me on the bench there, and the hairy eyeball and all kinds of mean nasty things, till I said, "And creating a nuisance." And they all came back, shook my hand, and we had a great time on the bench, talkin' about crime, mother stabbing, father raping, all kinds of groovy things that we was talking about on the bench.

The real money maker for the system and the real heart breaker isyoung boys 7,8,9,10 accused of being a sex offender by touching a girl classmate of the same age while playing and the sick parents of the girl looking for the deep pocket by trying to sue the school.

These boys lives are destroyed forever by these sickos without a care.Then in the end its unproven the boys parents are in debt for the rest of their lives.
The accuser just walks away free even if they lose as they were represented by some law firm on a contingency basis also looking for the deep pocket.

This was told to me by a friend that works for the D.O.C. .....Sick,sick,sick.

.......NOPE in 2012.....Then the unions of thr teachers.

#61 | Posted by MENSAKOOK

can you provide some examples of these children with their lives ruined

Kids that get into fights, even in elementary now get arrested. My daughter was a witness to a fight and had to go to court, ridiculous. Given this experience - this number does not surprise me.

In Europe, you are in the fingerprint databases when you are of legal age and have a country ID card.

Good system that US should adopt.

Crisis

"Close to one in three American teens and young adults get arrested by age 23, according to a new study that finds more of them are being booked now than in the 1960s."

"The vast majority of these kids will never be arrested again"

The difference between a kick in ass back in the 60's generation, to a pat on the head in the generation used in the study...

I had been arrested twice & in jail twice by the time I was 19 & on parole for a year, too, before I was 20....Smoking marijuana is a deadly crime you know

1 in 3 is probably correct, and the difference here is those that are smart figure out that poor behavior isn't doing their future life any good.

Old newz, but still...

Published on Wednesday, March 5, 2003 by the Times-Union (Albany, New York)
He Kept His Shirt On -- And Got Arrested
Crossgates Mall shopper charged after refusing to take off shirt with peace slogan
by Carol DeMare

An attorney for the state was arrested and hauled into court after refusing to take off a T-shirt that said "Give Peace a Chance" while shopping at Crossgates Mall.

Roger and Stephen Downs had these shirts made at Crossgates Mall, but Stephen Downs was arrested when he refused to take his off and leave the mall.

This is at least the second time in recent months that mall security asked people wearing T-shirts with peace slogans to leave.

An attorney for the state?

Sure sounds like he is 23 and under!

Good system that US should adopt.

#66 | Posted by CrisisStills

So the police should be able to stop you any time, any where, on the street, in the store, at the bar, and demand to see your papers.

And if your papers are not in order, then what?

Or if you are not carrying any id at all, as has never been required in the US of A, then what?

Or if you are not carrying any id at all, as has never been required in the US of A, then what?

Posted by ZOT at 2011-12-20 01:35 PM

Most, if not all, cities and states have anti-vagrancy laws which requires a photo ID.

can you provide some examples of these children with their lives ruined

Yes.

#69 | POSTED BY MONEYWAR

Riiiiiiight, Money. Those who represent the 1 in the 1 of 3 are just that much more stupid than in previous generations. Yes that must be it. Has nothing to do with "tough on crime" policies or a criminalization of culture. *sarcasm button* push

Most, if not all, cities and states have anti-vagrancy laws which requires a photo ID.

#73 | Posted by kanrei

Please cite law that requires photo ID.

That you might be taken in because you cannot provide proof of your identity is not the same as there being a law that one must carry photo ID. To my knowledge, I know of no law that requires one to carry ID.

In Europe, you are in the fingerprint databases when you are of legal age and have a country ID card.
Good system that US should adopt.
Crisis

#66 | POSTED BY CRISISSTILLS AT 2011-12-20 09:43 AM | REPLY | FLAG:

I especially loved how Germany handled the populous. Good record keepers those Germans. Very efficient.

what America has become, while we slept.