Comments on: MI: Man wrongly imprisoned for FTR can’t sue state

By: Media

Media — Sat, 01 Aug 2020 23:17:42 +0000

In reply to Jacob. I do not know, but I would sure like to know.

By: Ed C

Ed C — Sat, 01 Aug 2020 23:06:17 +0000

In reply to DavidM.

He probably can’t contest the state Supreme Court’s decision as that court is the final arbiter of Michigan law. Of course he could bring a federal lawsuit under 42 USC 1983 for deprivation of rights under color of law. But that is a long shot as the rules definitely disfavor the plaintiff. Any such lawsuit would no doubt chew up the $70,000 he already received. It saddens me, but it may be best if he just licked his wounds and moved on.

Veritas.

By: Media

Media — Sat, 01 Aug 2020 21:16:29 +0000

Sheriff Chitwood has tested positive for COVID-19. He wants to thank all those who have wished him well.

By: Jacob

Jacob — Sat, 01 Aug 2020 19:39:00 +0000

In reply to Media. Do we know whether OffenderWatch, the registry contractor, donates to the campaigns of sheriffs and state legislators? If so, I would support a way to limit those and end the registry-industrial complex.

By: Media

Media — Sat, 01 Aug 2020 18:56:11 +0000

In reply to Media. Check out American Anti-Corruption Act championed by RepresentUs with Desmond Meade sitting on the board. The Anti-Corruption Act would ban gifts from lobbyists to politicians, close the revolving door between Congress and the prison industry, and enfranchise even more voters -- so politicians actually represent we, the people. I have been unable to find out if Desmond Meade is now including registrants.

By: Jacob

Jacob — Sat, 01 Aug 2020 18:44:35 +0000

In reply to WC_TN. So true- too often we castigate judges for saying what the law is. And “legislating from the bench” is not even an issue. Registrants have precisely the opposite problem— they are judged by the legislature.

By: Media

Media — Sat, 01 Aug 2020 18:37:25 +0000

According to a recent Newsweek article, The End of the Prison-Industrial Complex?, part of the problem is the judges who are elected by voters. “Research shows that to keep their jobs, judges are more likely to hand out harsher sentences as they approach Election Day. They get campaign donations from lawyers, lobbyists, and business interests who have a vested interest in keeping the system just the way it is. We call this corruption.” The article also alludes to the special interest groups: prosecutors, police unions, drug companies, and lobbyists, who have a hold on elected officials. The answer: American Anti-Corruption Act that would stop gifts from lobbyists to politicians, stop the revolving door between Congress and the prison industry, and give all adults the right to vote. Desmond Meade is an important name to remember.

By: WC_TN

WC_TN — Sat, 01 Aug 2020 14:49:22 +0000

As much of a total crock as this ruling is, are the judge’s and justices’ hands tied because the state’s legislators, WHOM THE PEOPLE ELECTED, chose not to provide a legislative remedy for those who are wrongfully convicted and incarcerated? This could be evidence that compensation for the wrongfully convicted and imprisoned is not a priority of most people because it hasn’t ever happened to most people. It’s sad, but we tend to be very indifferent to an issue so long as it’s someone else’s problem.

Think about this: How many times have we decried what we consider to be cases of judicial activism and cried “LEGISLATING FROM THE BENCH!!!”. Even though it would have been in “our” favor, would it not have been legislating from the bench to provide relief when there’s no law that permits said relief? That’s the real injustice here. There’s no state law that mandates relief for those wrongfully prosecuted and imprisoned, or in this case have the debilitating stigma of wrongful listing on the state’s sex offender registry, which is undeniably the worst form of character assassination.

By: Tereto

Tereto — Sat, 01 Aug 2020 05:03:57 +0000

Goes to show this country and those who are in charge, are both garbage.

By: RIFF RAFF

RIFF RAFF — Sat, 01 Aug 2020 00:42:55 +0000

In reply to DavidM.

Damages to a person that is unlawfully imprisoned for something he didn’t do , or a crime that wasn’t a crime. Just like everything else when it comes to sex offenders…………………{EXCEPT SEX OFFENDERS]