Justice Reform

Justice Reform: A Call for Change

Introduction: A System in Crisis

The American justice system is increasingly punitive, costly, and damaging to families and individuals. With more people being locked up, the consequences ripple through generations, stifling productivity and leaving millions behind. This is not just about individual cases—it’s about protecting the future of our communities and our nation.

Fighting the U.S. government is a nearly impossible task. The resources at the government’s disposal can bankrupt individuals, tear families apart, and leave people unable to rebuild their lives. Here is a set of urgent reforms we need to create a justice system that is fair, balanced, and humane.

Proposed Reforms

1. Limit Spending on Investigations
   • Problem: Prosecutors have unlimited budgets to pursue cases, often dragging out investigations.
   • Solution: Introduce spending caps to prevent overreach and ensure proportional use of resources.
2. No Penalties for Going to Trial
   • Defendants should not face harsher sentences for exercising their right to a trial. This discourages fair defense and creates a system of coercive plea bargains.
3. Reform Bail and Pre-Trial Detention
   • Bail conditions are harmful, punishing those who cannot afford to pay.
   • Home confinement should count toward time served, ensuring fair credit for restrictions imposed before sentencing.
4. End Asset Forfeiture Without Conviction
   • Taking property before a conviction is an unjust practice that leaves individuals fighting an unfair battle, similar to “fighting Mike Tyson blindfolded.”
5. Grant Defense Attorneys Access in Grand Jury Hearings
   • Defense attorneys should be allowed to cross-examine witnesses and present evidence during grand jury proceedings to ensure fairness.
6. Ban Perp Walks and Media Trials
   • Publicizing case details before conviction biases potential jurors. Eliminate the “perp walk” and unnecessary media exposure to safeguard fair trials.
7. Limit Excessive Force in Arrests
   • Arrests, particularly for non-violent or white-collar offenses, should not require an overwhelming show of force.
8. Choice of Legal Representation for All
   • If a defendant cannot afford a lawyer, the government should fund one of their choosing, ensuring quality defense and avoiding reliance on underperforming public defenders.
9. Ban Private Prison Donations
   • Politicians, judges, and prosecutors should not accept donations from private prisons, ensuring decisions are not influenced by financial interests.
10. End Elected Positions for Prosecutors and Judges
    • Justice should be impartial. Electing these positions creates conflicts of interest and incentivizes headline-seeking behavior.
11. Prevent Prosecutors from Seeking Public Office
    • Prosecutors should not use their records to gain political power, keeping legal cases free from political agendas.
12. Full Restoration of Rights After Serving a Sentence
    • Once someone has served their sentence, all their rights should be restored, including the right to vote, hold jobs, and open bank accounts.
13. End Threats and Intimidation Tactics Against Families
    • Prosecutors must not use family members as leverage to force dssf into plea deals.
14. Address Recidivism by Removing Barriers to Reentry
    • Criminal records should not function as a lifelong punishment. People must have access to jobs, education, and housing after serving their time. The goal should be rehabilitation, not perpetual punishment.
15. Fair Wages for Inmates
    • Inmates should earn at least the state minimum wage for their work. Funds placed on inmates’ books should not be confiscated for fines and fees but remain available for food and necessities.

Conclusion: A Better Path Forward

The current justice system is unsustainable. We need reform that restores fairness and builds opportunity. People who have served their time deserve the chance to reintegrate into society as full citizens. Justice is not just about punishment—it’s about ensuring a better future for all Americans.

These reforms are not just moral imperatives—they are necessary steps toward creating a justice system that serves the people, rather than oppressing them. Together, we can build a system that ensures fairness, restores lives, and protects future generations.