Our server costs ~$56 per month to run. Please consider donating or becoming a Patron to help keep the site running. Help us gain new members by following us on Twitter and liking our page on Facebook!
Current time: May 29, 2025, 6:10 pm

Thread Rating:
  • 0 Vote(s) - 0 Average
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Should Prisoners be set Free When Their "Crime" Becomes Legal?
#7
RE: Should Prisoners be set Free When Their "Crime" Becomes Legal?
(June 11, 2015 at 5:36 pm)Rhondazvous Wrote: This is particularly an issue in the case of Marijuana. should people convicted of such things have their records sponged when their state decides Maryjane is no longer a crime? Especially if the government finds a way to collect taxes off the sale of  an erstwhile controlled substance. or illegal activities.

Generally speaking, I think people should not be forgiven for activities that were illegal at the time they were committed even if they become legal later.  This is because it is important that people obey the law.

But I can think of a number of exceptions mostly having to do with laws that were abolished because they violated human rights, the Constitution, or both.  So for example, a couple jailed for entering into an interracial sexual relationship at a time when that was illegal should not only be freed but also to have the record expunged.  Similarly, anyone convicted of a pre Roe v. Wade abortion in the first trimester should also be freed and the record should be expunged.

I don't think that prohibiting the use of marijuana is a human rights violation.  And I don't think that states that have made it legal have done so for that reason. So I don't think those convicted of sale or possession should automatically be released from prison.  However, considering large number of people who are incarcerated for this reason who are not otherwise criminals, and the disproportionately large sentences given for possession, I would applaud a law releasing people whose only crime was possession of marijuana and/or selling small amounts of it.
If there is a god, I want to believe that there is a god.  If there is not a god, I want to believe that there is no god.
Reply



Messages In This Thread
RE: Should Prisoners be set Free When Their "Crime" Becomes Legal? - by Jenny A - June 11, 2015 at 6:16 pm

Possibly Related Threads...
Thread Author Replies Views Last Post
  Who should be afraid? And what should they do? TaraJo 14 902 March 8, 2025 at 1:17 pm
Last Post: TaraJo
  Should public transportation be free? Fake Messiah 41 5038 July 26, 2022 at 3:54 pm
Last Post: The Architect Of Fate
  Should I stay or should I go? POLITICAL op/ed Brian37 53 11032 August 26, 2021 at 11:43 am
Last Post: Fake Messiah
  Are religions that preach inequality for women and gays, traitors to their country? Greatest I am 129 11677 February 8, 2021 at 9:26 pm
Last Post: Greatest I am
  Let’s take their guns BrokenQuill92 141 15966 November 22, 2020 at 4:28 pm
Last Post: The Grand Nudger
  Incest should be legal because homosexuality is Rein83 52 8748 August 6, 2019 at 5:54 pm
Last Post: viocjit
  Two Old Pros - Doing Their Thing Minimalist 8 1650 November 28, 2018 at 3:48 pm
Last Post: BrianSoddingBoru4
  Palestinian rock throwing, but isnt that against their religion? Kimbi 1 716 September 4, 2018 at 1:52 pm
Last Post: Minimalist
  FOX Being Dragged Down By Their Anchor Minimalist 10 2231 August 23, 2018 at 3:38 pm
Last Post: Angrboda
  Fools And Their Money! Minimalist 10 1736 May 18, 2018 at 3:35 pm
Last Post: Tiberius



Users browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)