Ferguson judge orders substantial changes to court system News
Ferguson judge orders substantial changes to court system

[JURIST] A new Municipal Court judge in Ferguson, Missouri, on Tuesday ordered [press release] sweeping reforms of courtroom practices following a damning federal report of racial bias. Judge Donald McCullin handed down an order to withdraw all arrest warrants issued before December 31, 2014, as well as modifications to the city’s pre-trial release conditions. Under the new system, defendants going through pre-trial release will be given new court dates with alternative arrangements, such as payment plans or community service. In the event of arrest warrants resulting from minor traffic violations, defendants will not be incarcerated, but will instead be given another court date. The move comes after a critical Department of Justice (DOJ) [official website] report that accused the city’s police and courts of racial bias by disproportionately burdening African-Americans with the use of excessive force, jail terms, traffic stops, and fines. McCullin spoke about the reform, stating:

These changes should continue the process of restoring confidence in the Court, alleviating fears of the consequences of appearing in Court, and giving many residents a fresh start. Many individuals whose license has been suspended will be able to obtain them and take advantage of the benefits of being able to drive. Moreover, defendants will not be disadvantaged in being afforded pre-trial release because of the inability to make bond.

The changes will be effectuated with the support of both Ferguson’s city council and City of Ferguson Mayor James Knowles.

The Ferguson Police Department has been heavily criticized after the shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown in August 2014, and the police response to protests. The DOJ report released in March cleared [JURIST report] the former Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson from federal prosecution for Brown’s death. Former Attorney General Eric Holder [official profile] additionally stated that the report shows [press release] that racial disparities in police practices could not be alternatively explained other than through racial bias, which he says is proven through statistics and an examination of records and emails. Last October Amnesty International reported that police in Ferguson committed human rights abuses [JURIST report] against peaceful protesters last August. Also in October a federal judge ruled [JURIST report] that a tactic employed by the Ferguson police to control protesters, in which protesters had to constantly keep moving, is unconstitutional because it prevented protesters from peacefully assembling on public sidewalks.

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