Robeson County judicial system

H

heel79

Honored Member
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799
Simply overwhelmed. Before I left the newspaper, I was going to assign a story on how many people accused of murder were out on bond in this county. I was told about 125 by the DA and that was almost six years ago. The other night, one killed two people. That happens often.
There are not enough judges, DAs, defense lawyers, etc. If I were to kill someone tomorrow and get caught, it would be five or six years minimum before I am tried. Clearly I have right to not be locked up until then. As an editor, I argued in favor of a Manhattan Project, with the state sending an army of the above, perhaps retirees, down here to clear docket. I know the DA has asked for help. Nothing.
The fix to me seems obvious. This country needs to provide two paths for people accused of crimes, violent, non-violent, and you could exit either if mental health issues, addiction involved.
People convicted of violent crimes go to prison and serve harsh sentences. Non-violent, drugs, get them in programs, others, put them to work in the communities, providing service, house arrest. Why is this hard?
 
heel79 said:
Simply overwhelmed. Before I left the newspaper, I was going to assign a story on how many people accused of murder were out on bond in this county. I was told about 125 by the DA and that was almost six years ago. The other night, one killed two people. That happens often.
There are not enough judges, DAs, defense lawyers, etc. If I were to kill someone tomorrow and get caught, it would be five or six years minimum before I am tried. Clearly I have right to not be locked up until then. As an editor, I argued in favor of a Manhattan Project, with the state sending an army of the above, perhaps retirees, down here to clear docket. I know the DA has asked for help. Nothing.
The fix to me seems obvious. This country needs to provide two paths for people accused of crimes, violent, non-violent, and you could exit either if mental health issues, addiction involved.
People convicted of violent crimes go to prison and serve harsh sentences. Non-violent, drugs, get them in programs, others, put them to work in the communities, providing service, house arrest. Why is this hard?
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1. The prison industry is big money. Republicans in particular (though some Dems too) are very much beholden to that industry.

2. Republicans (and some Dems too) cast drug usage, addiction, and sales as a moral failing and a corruptive influence worthy of prison.

Lefties often try to get state and federal funding for rehab programs, addiction treatment programs, re-integration programs, work programs, etc. But Righties generally block and/or underfund such programs.
 
EyeballKid said:
1. The prison industry is big money. Republicans in particular (though some Dems too) are very much beholden to that industry.

2. Republicans (and some Dems too) cast drug usage, addiction, and sales as a moral failing and a corruptive influence worthy of prison.

Lefties often try to get state and federal funding for rehab programs, addiction treatment programs, re-integration programs, work programs, etc. But Righties generally block and/or underfund such programs.
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Prison system still exists. It is for violent folks. I would think all politicians would embrace lower tolerance on violent criminals. And putting non violent doing community service. This country has to keep violent people in prison.
 
heel79 said:
Prison system still exists. It is for violent folks. I would think all politicians would embrace lower tolerance on violent criminals. And putting non violent doing community service. This country has to keep violent people in prison.
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I’m not advocating for releasing violent criminals.

I’m pointing out that in order to keep prison beds filled—and prison workers employed—we as a country have decided that drug convictions are punishable by prison sentences.

I agree that the system should change. We should not be imprisoning folks for non-violent offenses.

But the prison industry has deep lobbying pockets and deep political ties to the R party. So it’s unlikely to change any time soon.
 
EyeballKid said:
I’m not advocating for releasing violent criminals.

I’m pointing out that in order to keep prison beds filled—and prison workers employed—we as a country have decided that drug convictions are punishable by prison sentences.

I agree that the system should change. We should not be imprisoning folks for non-violent offenses.

But the prison industry has deep lobbying pockets and deep political ties to the R party. So it’s unlikely to change any time soon.
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I know you are not. This seems easy to me. Two paths. You can edit to mental health or rehab. Pubs could be tough on violent crimes and protect white collar buddies, Dems could promote rehab, mental health. Public protected. At least talk about it
 
I think you need to still have some punishment for nonviolent crimes. San Francisco and Oakland stopped effectively prosecuting things like shoplifting and car break-ins and its rampant.

Happy to not prosecute things like marijuana possession and small time sales. I'm actually not sure if its still prosecuted seriously in NC.
 
gtyellowjacket said:
I think you need to still have some punishment for nonviolent crimes. San Francisco and Oakland stopped effectively prosecuting things like shoplifting and car break-ins and its rampant.

Happy to not prosecute things like marijuana possession and small time sales. I'm actually not sure if its still prosecuted seriously in NC.
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This allows punishment of non violent folks, who skate too often or get short sentences. Give them longer sentences of community service, whatever, figure it out. We got to punish violent people. They are not getting rehabilitated. They are just coming out more violent. etc.
 
I hear what you are saying Heel179
i would add I have known several "muderers" in our system and all the ones I knew were totally mentally "defeated" after a couple decades in Prison and the ones that got out I knew lived quiet normal live after returning to society
 
heel79 said:
This allows punishment of non violent folks, who skate too often or get short sentences. Give them longer sentences of community service, whatever, figure it out. We got to punish violent people. They are not getting rehabilitated. They are just coming out more violent. etc.
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I think the assertion that criminals who commit violent crimes come out more violent is inaccurate. The majority of people who are convicted of violent offenses do not go on to commit further violent offenses after having completed their sentences. Now if you’re talking about violent recidivists, that’s another story. Obviously there comes a time where they just need to be put away.
 
Icky Mettle said:
I think the assertion that criminals who commit violent crimes come out more violent is inaccurate. The majority of people who are convicted of violent offenses do not go on to commit further violent offenses after having completed their sentences. Now if you’re talking about violent recidivists, that’s another story. Obviously there comes a time where they just need to be put away.
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All but one "murderer" I knew were 25 yr old high as a kite "Boys hanging out" and something went wrong at 3 a.m
 
Icky Mettle said:
I think the assertion that criminals who commit violent crimes come out more violent is inaccurate. The majority of people who are convicted of violent offenses do not go on to commit further violent offenses after having completed their sentences. Now if you’re talking about violent recidivists, that’s another story. Obviously there comes a time where they just need to be put away.
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Is there a link on that? Not saying you are wrung but surprised if true. I have Robeson county lens. We keep letting these people walk and they keeo terrorizing the community.
 
heel79 said:
Is there a link on that? Not saying you are wrung but surprised if true. I have Robeson county lens. We keep letting these people walk and they keeo terrorizing the community.
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Decades ago (when you and I were young men) was there not a Robeson county DA/Judge combo that were responsible for like 30% of all Death penalties in the State?
Again-I understand all your basic posts on this matter and agree
 
mpaer said:
Decades ago (when you and I were young men) was there not a Robeson county DA/Judge combo that were responsible for like 30% of all Death penalties in the State?
Again-I understand all your basic posts on this matter and agree
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Joe Freeman Britt

“The deadliest DA in America”

‘79 wasn’t a fan
 
My neighbors Westy & Betsy spent a lot of time corresponding and visiting death row inmates. They always said that the majority were in the wrong place at the wrong time. They were actively into “an eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind” that said they were in their 60s when I met them and I am there now! I’m going to just say murdering folks for murdering folks isn’t a logical argument. Of course I understand folks feeling differently but what would Rob Reiner want to happen to his son? I’m not sure but I don’t think he would want him dead?
 
SmilingJack said:
My neighbors Westy & Betsy spent a lot of time corresponding and visiting death row inmates. They always said that the majority were in the wrong place at the wrong time. They were actively into “an eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind” that said they were in their 60s when I met them and I am there now! I’m going to just say murdering folks for murdering folks isn’t a logical argument. Of course I understand folks feeling differently but what would Rob Reiner want to happen to his son? I’m not sure but I don’t think he would want him dead?
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Quakers were a real force in Such things. All respect to them
 
SmilingJack said:
My neighbors Westy & Betsy spent a lot of time corresponding and visiting death row inmates. They always said that the majority were in the wrong place at the wrong time. They were actively into “an eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind” that said they were in their 60s when I met them and I am there now! I’m going to just say murdering folks for murdering folks isn’t a logical argument. Of course I understand folks feeling differently but what would Rob Reiner want to happen to his son? I’m not sure but I don’t think he would want him dead?
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I oppose death penalty. NO problem with locking them up forever.
 
Zoo_View said:
Yes.

He did.

Pretty certain you weren’t a fan.
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That was a tough line to walk, and you can understand why. His prosecution of those two young black kids from Red Springs for a mid-80s murder was real issue for me. You know the case. It did not have to happen.
 
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