WTF Has Obama Done? - Issue No. 015 - Law & Justice

What is Criminal Justice?  Courtesy of wiseGeek, it is the application or study of laws regarding criminal behavior. Those who study criminal justice include the police, those working in a judiciary capacity, and lawyers who either defend or prosecute those accused of a crime. Others work to advocate for changes in the current system of criminal justice, such as those who render decisions regarding current laws, like members of Supreme Courts. It is important that the criminal justice system includes the word justice, since laws applied to those accused of a crime should be fair. 

So what has President Barack Obama done concerning Law & Justice?  Well, he appointed the first Latina to the Supreme Court, the first black Attorney General, outlined a new federal drug control policy, established crimes programs for the New Orleans area, and has managed to watch the U.S. population decline for the first time in decades.

Today, we will look at one broad policy, one funding achievement, and a targeted action in reference to Law & Justice.

WTF-44

Outlined new federal drug control policy.

The White House is putting more resources into drug prevention and treatment, part of President Barack Obama's pledge to treat illegal drug use more as a public health issue than a criminal justice problem.

The new drug control strategy to be released Tuesday boosts community-based anti-drug programs, encourages health care providers to screen for drug problems before addiction sets in and expands treatment beyond specialty centers to mainstream health care facilities.

"It changes the whole discussion about ending the war on drugs and recognizes that we have a responsibility to reduce our own drug use in this country," Gil Kerlikowske, the White House drug czar, said in an interview.

The plan – the first drug plan unveiled by the Obama White House – calls for reducing the rate of youth drug use by 15 percent over the next five years and for similar reductions in chronic drug use, drug abuse deaths and drugged driving. [Reference]

WTF-45

Restored funding for the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne/JAG) program.

"The (Bush) administration has consistently proposed to cut or eliminate funding for the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne/JAG) program, which funds anti-drug and anti-gang task forces across the country. …Since 2000, this program has been cut more than 83 percent. ... As president, Obama will restore funding."

The U.S. Justice Department uses the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant program to send crime-fighting money to cities, towns and counties. The grants can be used for law enforcement functions such as prosecutions, court programs, drug treatment and education, technology upgrades, planning programs, and crime victim and witness programs. Local programs are often adopted nationally, such as drug courts, methamphetamine lab reduction, antigang strategies, re-entry programs and information sharing protocols, according to the National Criminal Justice Association, a national association that represents local enforcement agencies.  [Reference]

WTF-46

Appointment of first Latina to the Supreme Court.

Judge Sonia Sotomayor, who rose from the housing projects of the Bronx to the top of the legal profession, made history Thursday when the Senate confirmed her to become the nation's first Hispanic Supreme Court justice.

Sotomayor was easily confirmed in a 68-31 vote. Nine Republicans joined a unanimous Democratic caucus in supporting her nomination.

Sotomayor, a 55-year-old federal appeals court judge, is the 111th person to sit on the high court and the third female justice.

She was sworn in at the Supreme Court by Chief Justice John Roberts on Saturday, August 8, 2009 [Reference-1, Reference-2]

I will come back to this topic in another issue, until then, please feel free to read any of my previous issues by clicking here.

Make sure to read the next issue
Issue No. 016 - Housing
as I continue with
WTF-47

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