Legal News

New DNA-for-freedom plan under fire in OC

By Richard Binder

Orange County has begun an "informal" program, according to district attorney Tony Rackauckas, in which people who have been arrested are offered a deal: offer up some DNA and get your charges dropped.

The plan became public when Rackauckas sought approval from supervisors to add a mandatory $75 fee to the deal. Supervisors approved the fee, allowing Rackauckas' department to process more DNA profiles at a time of state budget cuts. The plan applies to people arrested for nonviolent misdemeanors, including petty theft, trespassing and low-level drug-possession felonies.

Rackauckas told supervisors that the DNA sample could be a useful interrogation tool for law enforcement and act as a deterrent for potential criminals, but objections have come fast and furious from civil libertarians and even some corners of law enforcement.

Full story here.

Full post as published by Legal Pad | LA on September 17, 2009 (boomark / email).