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If a law becomes outdated, it's the responsibility of the legislative branch to amend or repeal it. It shouldn't be the executive branch's responsibility to decide which laws they should or shouldn't enforce.
I've never really understood why state legislators don't do their job by purging outdated laws from the books. My guess is that they're more interested in passing new legislation so that they can get re-elected.
Maybe I'm naive by expecting our government to function properly and maintain the proper separation of powers. I should probably expect dysfunction after seeing it for so long.
I've never really understood why state legislators don't do their job by purging outdated laws from the books. My guess is that they're more interested in passing new legislation so that they can get re-elected.
Maybe I'm naive by expecting our government to function properly and maintain the proper separation of powers. I should probably expect dysfunction after seeing it for so long.
That's true. If a DA goes rogue and abuses their power, the voters can remove them from office. The state of Maryland has options as well. All of these things are illegal at the state level, so they could step in and start prosecuting these crimes if the city of Baltimore refuses to.
I can't see a prosecutor declining to prosecute rape or murder. I was just using that as an example of how most people are okay with ignoring laws that they dislike, but they aren't okay with ignoring the laws that they support.
I can't see a prosecutor declining to prosecute rape or murder. I was just using that as an example of how most people are okay with ignoring laws that they dislike, but they aren't okay with ignoring the laws that they support.
You think the state has the resources to prosecute crimes that the Baltimore DA declines to prosecute? How would the state have jurisdiction?
https://www.baltimoresun.com/corona...0200318-u7knneb6o5gqvnqmtpejftavia-story.html
Baltimore State’s Attorney Mosby to stop prosecuting drug possession, prostitution, other crimes amid coronavirus
By TIM PRUDENTE and PHILLIP JACKSON
BALTIMORE SUN |
MAR 18, 2020 AT 8:33 PM
Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby ordered her staff Wednesday to dismiss pending criminal charges against anyone arrested for possessing drugs including heroin, attempted distribution of any drug, prostitution, trespassing, minor traffic offenses, open container and urinating in public.
Mosby said she’s taking the action to reduce the threat of a coronavirus outbreak behind bars. These crimes pose no risk to public safety and the defendants would be released before trial in normal times, she wrote in a memo to prosecutors. (emphasis added)
https://www.baltimoresun.com/corona...0200318-u7knneb6o5gqvnqmtpejftavia-story.html
Baltimore State’s Attorney Mosby to stop prosecuting drug possession, prostitution, other crimes amid coronavirus
By TIM PRUDENTE and PHILLIP JACKSON
BALTIMORE SUN |
MAR 18, 2020 AT 8:33 PM
Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby ordered her staff Wednesday to dismiss pending criminal charges against anyone arrested for possessing drugs including heroin, attempted distribution of any drug, prostitution, trespassing, minor traffic offenses, open container and urinating in public.
Mosby said she’s taking the action to reduce the threat of a coronavirus outbreak behind bars. These crimes pose no risk to public safety and the defendants would be released before trial in normal times, she wrote in a memo to prosecutors. (emphasis added)
Because we don't want an AD to be able to use their discretion to prosecute somebody for refusing to ride side saddle on a Sunday while wearing sandals simply because such a law is still on the books. 
Seriously, I agree, if the people of Baltimore are ok with this, who are we to tell them otherwise.
Seriously, I agree, if the people of Baltimore are ok with this, who are we to tell them otherwise.
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I don't really know anything about Maryland's resources. I'm just saying that option exists if they want to take it. They have the jurisdiction to prosecute anyone that breaks state laws within their state borders.
I can understand (and even support) a prosecutor making these changes during a pandemic to minimize risk, but the original article posted in this thread says that she's making the changes permanent. That's something I won't support unless it comes from the legislative branch.
Why should Congress worry about passing legislation when the POTUS can easily do it through EO? Overreaching the separation of powers out of convenience isn't something I'll support at any level of government.
I can understand (and even support) a prosecutor making these changes during a pandemic to minimize risk, but the original article posted in this thread says that she's making the changes permanent. That's something I won't support unless it comes from the legislative branch.
Why should Congress worry about passing legislation when the POTUS can easily do it through EO? Overreaching the separation of powers out of convenience isn't something I'll support at any level of government.
She's making the changes permanent because she's seen a decrease in violent crime. Whether or not that is due to her discretion or the pandemic itself, well, we'll. One thing is for sure, if it all goes to sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-it she could pay a political price.
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Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk
"This country is by design a union of different states with their own structure and planning which allows ideas to be tried locally without really affecting others. It amazes me that people can sit and complain about a different place trying something that might make their local situation better (or maybe worse) when it will have absolutely no effect on the complainer whatsoever. People simply fear the idea that what they believe in may not be true so bad mouth any test of their pre-conceived notions."
Like, who (in Oklahoma) cares if Tennessee (not the federal govt) outlaws abortion (tries something different) , or Montana (not the federal govt) makes heroin legal (tries something different) or WV (not the federal govt) expands capital punishment (tries something different) to all sorts of crimes? Afterall, such efforts should have absolutely no effect whatsoever on anyone in Oklahoma.
I would think someone stating a concise opinion (you) would understand a theoretical circumstance that directly addresses that opinion.
Like, who (in Oklahoma) cares if Tennessee (not the federal govt) outlaws abortion (tries something different) , or Montana (not the federal govt) makes heroin legal (tries something different) or WV (not the federal govt) expands capital punishment (tries something different) to all sorts of crimes? Afterall, such efforts should have absolutely no effect whatsoever on anyone in Oklahoma.
I would think someone stating a concise opinion (you) would understand a theoretical circumstance that directly addresses that opinion.
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Maybe drugs and prostitution make people less violent. 
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I wouldn't say it is commonplace but I bet it happens. Most of us are smart enough to make sure we are divorced before getting married again, but there are plenty of morons out there.
But as an offensive that deserves to be prosecuted? I agree with your sentiment. I'm sure there are a couple of people who tried to pull something but it's gotta be a really rare occurrence.
But as an offensive that deserves to be prosecuted? I agree with your sentiment. I'm sure there are a couple of people who tried to pull something but it's gotta be a really rare occurrence.
