How Petty Misdemeanors Get Seriously Punished (with Alexandra Natapoff)

This week we welcome Alexandra Natapoff to discuss the various problems with how misdemeanors are handled. Eighty percent of criminal cases filed in our countries are misdemeanors. There are so many places in the misdemeanor system where wrongful convictions are definitely taking place. The system lacks rigor and continues to be sloppy because of it. 

How powerful is the misdemeanor phenomenon? In the state system, do people think they get a fair trial for a misdemeanor? Is it a big deal to get a misdemeanor? Are misdemeanor fines a source of revenue? Who is profiting off of the state misdemeanor systems? What are the main ways to get a misdemeanor? What is probable cause?

Further Reading:

Punishment Without Crime: How Our Massive Misdemeanor System Traps the Innocent and Makes America More Unequal, written by Alexandra Natapoff

Busted, by Ryan Gabrielson and Topher Sanders at ProPublica

Misdemeanors Matter #2: Alexandra Natapoff on a Legacy of Injustice, Center For Court Innovation

Related Content:

Thin Blue Lies: How Pretextual Stops Undermine Police Legitimacy, Free Thoughts Podcast

The Problem of Police Misconduct, Free Thoughts Podcast

Cruel Alternatives: Respect for Law or Respect for Justice, written by Aeon Skoble

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