How the government will implement collecting DNA at the time of arrest remains a subject of discussion .The Urban Institute Justice Policy Center issued a final technical report on the policies , practices , and implications of collecting DNA at the time of arrest. Here are a few of their findings;
The first step towards a police state is being able to track , locate or identify all the people. The U.S.Supreme Court approved the first step in that process with the case of Maryland v. King . Maryland as well as 28 other states and the Federal Government take DNA samples at the time of
The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit is scheduled to reconsider today whether California violates the Fourth Amendment’s prohibition against searches and seizures by requiring police to take DNA samples from those arrested but not yet convicted. California’s law is designed to accurately identify those arrested , solve crimes , and exonerate
The New York Times ran an editorial on Justice Roberts order staying a Maryland Supreme Court ruling. Maryland passed a law that allowed police to take a DNA sample of those charged with a crime whether guilty or not. The Maryland Supreme Court ruled the law was unconstitutional based on a violation of the Fourth
A North Carolina special state innocence commission recommended that a man convicted of murdering a prostitute be set free.A three judge panel found by "clear and convincing evidence" that Gregory F.Taylor was innocent and had been convicted with questionable evidence and untrustworthy testimony.Mr.Taylor is free today.
North Carolina is the only state that has established an Innocence Inquiry Commission.A eight member panel reviews claims of innocence by inmates.After a review of the claim, the case may be sent to a three judge panel if the first panel finds the claim has merit.
"North Carolina’s commission is an important model for the adjudication of innocence claims"’ said Barry Scheck of the New York Innocence Project.The Innocence Project uses DNA evidence to overturn wrongful convictions.However, over 90% of criminal cases does not involve DNA evidence reports Robbie Brown of the New York Times.Continue Reading North Carolina Frees Inmate