Democratic Primaries

Chemisse

(30,813 posts) Thu Aug 1, 2019, 10:03 AM Aug 2019

Kamala Harris's controversial record on criminal justice, explained

I was curious about all the charges lodged during last night's debate, and found this article, which seems fairly neutral, about what she has done in her past work as a prosecutor.

It's long and detailed, and I found it really helpful.

A close examination of Harris’s record shows it’s filled with contradictions. She pushed for programs that helped people find jobs instead of putting them in prison, but also fought to keep people in prison even after they were proved innocent. She refused to pursue the death penalty against a man who killed a police officer, but also defended California’s death penalty system in court. She implemented training programs to address police officers’ racial biases, but also resisted calls to get her office to investigate certain police shootings.

But what seem like contradictions may reflect a balancing act. Harris’s parents worked on civil rights causes, and she came from a background well aware of the excesses of the criminal justice system — but in office, she had to play the role of a prosecutor and California’s lawyer. She started in an era when “tough on crime” politics were popular across party lines — but she rose to national prominence as criminal justice reform started to take off nationally. She had an eye on higher political office as support for criminal justice reform became de rigueur for Democrats — but she still had to work as California’s top law enforcement official.

https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2019/1/23/18184192/kamala-harris-president-campaign-criminal-justice-record

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden

10 replies

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Kamala Harris's controversial record on criminal justice, explained (Original Post) Chemisse Aug 2019 OP

I will bookmark to read fully, thanks. I have to say I start with the premise that being prosecutor hlthe2b Aug 2019 #1

"U.S. judges see 'epidemic' of prosecutorial misconduct in state" (LA Times) Princetonian Aug 2019 #2

Harris won't make this past go away by ignoring it, so she'd better make a statement. Like Biden. ancianita Aug 2019 #3

I agree. If she remains in the top tier, this will keep coming up. n/t Chemisse Aug 2019 #4

She popped up -- or her AI did -- on my FB page last night. I typed my thoughts to her. ancianita Aug 2019 #5

OTOH, Americans don't want someone who feels they have to explain themselves. THAT's in her favor. ancianita Aug 2019 #6

LOL. Just see her statement about why she held church documents which shielded the Catholic Church. 58Sunliner Aug 2019 #10

I am good with Harris on this. I think it has more to do with a woman in a power position of AG silentEcho Aug 2019 #7

+1 Ponietz Aug 2019 #8

LOL. If Harris wanted real reform she could have started from within as DA and AG. 58Sunliner Aug 2019 #9

hlthe2b

(102,304 posts)

1. I will bookmark to read fully, thanks. I have to say I start with the premise that being prosecutor

Reply to Chemisse (Original post)

Thu Aug 1, 2019, 10:05 AM

Aug 2019

is never going to be without controversy, so I am open to a factual account.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden

Princetonian

(1,501 posts)

2. "U.S. judges see 'epidemic' of prosecutorial misconduct in state" (LA Times)

Reply to Chemisse (Original post)

Thu Aug 1, 2019, 10:14 AM

Aug 2019

Under the big picture of Harris: "Federal judges called upon state Atty. Gen. Kamala D. Harris to respond to reports of a pattern of prosecutorial misconduct going undisciplined in state courts."

Also:

'Judge Alex Kozinski asked Vienna if his boss, Atty. Gen. Kamala D. Harris, wanted to defend a conviction “obtained by lying prosecutors.” If Harris did not back off the case, Kozinski warned, the court would “name names” in a ruling that would not be “very pretty.”'

https://www.latimes.com/local/politics/la-me-lying-prosecutors-20150201-story

As AG the buck stops with her.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden

ancianita

(36,109 posts)

3. Harris won't make this past go away by ignoring it, so she'd better make a statement. Like Biden.

Reply to Chemisse (Original post)

Thu Aug 1, 2019, 10:48 AM

Aug 2019

Context matters, and she'll learn what Biden knows about "the times" he was in and the context he worked in, the oppositions he dealt with, the way it looks now.

For Harris, repeating "I'm proud of my record" isn't going to be enough. She can only postpone this explanation for so long.

If Harris intends to be the frontrunner, she must be open about this.
Thoughtful.
Clear to her supporters and the country.

One thing I'm sure of: nothing about the 5th biggest economy on the planet is easy, and that should also be made clear. California could rightfully be seen as a country. Harris' job was huuge.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden

Chemisse

(30,813 posts)

4. I agree. If she remains in the top tier, this will keep coming up. n/t

Reply to ancianita (Reply #3)

Thu Aug 1, 2019, 10:53 AM

Aug 2019

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden

ancianita

(36,109 posts)

5. She popped up -- or her AI did -- on my FB page last night. I typed my thoughts to her.

Reply to Chemisse (Reply #4)

Thu Aug 1, 2019, 11:06 AM

Aug 2019

I hope she'll consider.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden

ancianita

(36,109 posts)

6. OTOH, Americans don't want someone who feels they have to explain themselves. THAT's in her favor.

Reply to ancianita (Reply #3)

Thu Aug 1, 2019, 11:09 AM

Aug 2019

If she were a male, this might not even be an issue. Or if it were, a brief statement would suffice.

All I know is, Gavin Newsome is IN her corner. And I love that governor. He should run for president.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden