The Political Dynamics of Justice Reform in The U.S.

Krinsky said McSwain’s statement was “an attack on law enforcement, an attack on our
communities, an attack on voters who are making different choices about how they
envision safer and healthier communities.” Using a shooting to launch a political attack
“based on no facts at all,” she said, is “nothing short of outrageous.”
Roy Austin, a former Obama administration official, said Barr’s speech was “an
interesting attack coming from a Republican whose party once seemed to believe in
local rule and autonomy.”
“If the people elect prosecutors to change the way things have always been done, who
is Barr to criticize?” he asked.
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Rapid City Journal
Adult Diversion Keeps People Out
of The Criminal Justice System
Arielle Zionts Journal staff Jul 28, 2019
John was frightened when a police officer pulled him over in November 2018 for a
burned out tail light and found drugs in his car. It was the first time he'd been caught
since he started using drugs two or three years ago.
"It was panic mode instantly" at the thought of being convicted on a felony, the 43-yearold
said. "Everything was shooting through my head: losing my job, losing my house,
losing my ability to support my family, anger with the officer."
But if all goes according to plan, he won't be convicted of drug possession and ingestion
even though he was found with drugs and tested positive in jail. He'll avoid being
labeled a felon, which can make it difficult to obtain a job, housing and financial aid, and
can bar you from owning a gun, voting and serving on a jury.
Instead of being prosecuted in court, John was accepted into the adult diversion
program at the Pennington County State's Attorney Office, which is open to people with
no or little criminal history. If participants stay out of trouble for a year and complete
tasks to improve their behavior and life, the charge and arrest will be expunged so they
avoid being sucked into the criminal justice system, which can be hard to escape and
impact not just defendants but entire families and communities.
"The whole idea is they've changed their behavior, they've become a productive
member of society. We want them to be able to go out and work and be productive and
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