« "Top Trends in State Criminal Justice Reform, 2018" | Main | "Mens Rea Reform and Its Discontents" »
January 16, 2019
Reviewing criminal justice highlights (or low-lights) from AG nominee Barr's confirmation hearing
Other commitments are keeping me from being able to keep a close watch on the Senate confirmation hearing for President Trump's nominee to lead the Department of Justice, William Barr. Fortunately, lots of other folks are doing so, and here is a round-up of a few pieces I have seen highlighting some of the criminal justice issues that have been discussed:
-
From BuzzFeed News, "Bill Barr Says He’s 'Not Going After' Marijuana In States Where It’s Legal: Bill Barr told senators he’d take the same stance of the Obama administration — not that of former attorney general Jeff Sessions."
-
From Reason, "Attorney General Nominee William Barr Defends Long Prison Sentences, But Says He’s Open to Reforms: 'As a system, it’s working,' Barr says of the criminal justice system. 'It’s not predicated on racism.'"
- From Vox, "Cory Booker presses William Barr on racism and criminal justice: Barr has previously said that white and black offenders are treated the same by the criminal justice system."
Also from Vox, "Attorney general nominee Bill Barr’s “tough on crime” record, explained: Here’s why Trump’s attorney general nominee worries criminal justice reformers."
As the title of this post suggests, I surmise from this coverage that criminal justice reformers are not likely to be especially excited about the prospects for Attorney General Barr being an advocate for reforming the status quo. But I remain hopeful he will not be quite as resistant to reforms as was former AG Sessions. But time (and the political winds) will tell.
Prior related posts:
- "George H.W. Bush’s biggest failure? The war on drugs."
- Talk of William Barr for Attorney General (and his "Case for More Incarceration")
- So what does Bill Barr now think about federal criminal justice reforms or state marijuana reforms?
- Rounding up negative reactions to William Barr's nomination to be next US Attorney General
- Attorney General Nominee Bill Barr reportedly to support FIRST STEP Act at coming hearing (and should be pressed on particulars)
January 16, 2019 at 11:34 AM | Permalink