Washington, D.C.’s court system is under a tremendous strain that isn’t sustainable amid the Trump administration’s crackdown on crime in the city, a lawyer and a spokesperson for the court system said.
There have been hundreds of criminal prosecutions since President Donald Trump announced he was federalizing the police department and sending hundreds of National Guard troops into the city.
The increase in cases is testing a court system that was already struggling to keep up due to 13 judicial vacancies. Two more judges are currently on extended leave.
“We are all pushed to the brink right now. … I have more cases than I ever have before. I still can be responsible. I still can professionally represent my clients, but it is, it’s a full boat right now,” said Todd Baldwin, criminal defense attorney and president of the Superior Court Trial Lawyers Association.
Baldwin said defense attorneys are doubling – and even tripling – their case loads.
Arraignments are also stretching late into the night. A magistrate judge heard cases until after 1 a.m. Tuesday morning because of Monday’s lengthy docket.
Baldwin said the current state of arrests leading to prosecutions isn’t sustainable.
He said in the past it was common to see prosecutors drop 10 to 20% of the cases each day. But prosecutors are now “papering” every case, meaning they’re deciding to go forward with charges.
“Our ability to operate is simply not sustainable. It’s the case today, and it only stands to grow worse for those we serve,” Doug Buchanan, a spokesman for D.C. Superior Court said in a statement. “Justice delayed – is justice denied, and there is no denying the spot we are in – and how desperately we need help.”
Trump said Monday he wants defendants charged in federal court and held.
“And by the way, the prison they have in D.C. is horrible,” Trump said after signing an executive order to eliminate cashless bail for arrested suspects in D.C.
D.C.’s Department of Corrections had more than 1,000 beds available in the jail as of Friday, the department said.
But that could change under the crime emergency.
“That’s the response from the U.S. Attorney is to hold everyone, even non-violent criminals,” Baldwin said.
from Local – NBC4 Washington https://ift.tt/BvJUsVK
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