CRJ Chapter 9-12 Props

Explain Walker’s reasoning behind Proposition 23: Most victims' rights laws and programs are worthy ideas that were long overdue. Only a few, however, provide the kind of direct services that are likely to reduce crime.

Most victims' rights laws and programs were long overdue, addressing neglected needs and fostering trust in the justice system. However, only a few, like crime prevention advice for the elderly or counseling for vulnerable youth, show potential for directly reducing crime.

Explain Walker’s reasoning behind Proposition 24: Attempts to ban the possession of handguns or certain types of guns are not considered viable for crime reduction. 

Attempts to ban handgun possession are not seen as viable for crime reduction due to the circulation of 114 million handguns in the U.S., with no practical way to remove them. Additionally, black markets for firearms are already established and would likely grow under a ban, mirroring the unintended consequences of drug prohibition.

Explain Walker’s reasoning behind Proposition 25: Laws that seek to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and the mentally ill have at best some limited effect but are easily evaded by the black market in guns.

Laws targeting gun ownership by criminals and the mentally ill have limited effectiveness because determined individuals often evade these restrictions by turning to the thriving black market, supported by the circulation of 114 million handguns. Criminals, aware they would fail background checks, frequently bypass legal channels altogether.

Explain Walker’s reasoning behind Proposition 26: Laws designed to allow more people to carry guns and laws that allow them to use their guns in a greater range of circumstances are more likely to increase rather than reduce homicides. 

Laws that expand the circumstances for gun use, like stand-your-ground laws, are linked to an increase in homicides, particularly among white males, with no significant link to justified self-defense. Misinterpretations of these laws and lack of proper training for civilians contribute to misuse of firearms, unlike the stricter policies followed by trained police officers

Explain Walker’s reasoning behind Proposition 27: Carefully designed and focused programs directed toward a small group of known offenders have been found to be effective in reducing gun violence. 

Focused programs like the Boston Gun Project have proven effective in reducing gun violence by targeting high-crime neighborhoods and known offenders using strategies such as enforcing laws and prosecuting traffickers. These initiatives, including Operation Ceasefire, achieved significant reductions in homicides and gun assaults, showcasing the success of detailed, collaborative approaches to crime reduction.

Explain Walker’s reasoning behind Proposition 28: Probation and parole have their proper places in the criminal justice system, but there is no evidence of any programs likely to make them more effective in reducing crime. 

Probation and parole lack evidence of programs that effectively reduce crime. California’s parole system, for instance, contributes to prison overcrowding, with most admissions stemming from parole revocations rather than new sentences. The shift from discretionary parole to mandatory release placed more control in the hands of parole officers, who often revoked parole for minor violations. High caseloads further undermined supervision, turning parole into a system of control rather than rehabilitation, creating a “revolving door” effect without addressing crime reduction.

Explain Walker’s reasoning behind Proposition 29: Traditional diversion programs do not reduce serious crime. 

Traditional diversion programs fail to reduce serious crime effectively. Evaluations, like the Des Moines Adult Diversion Project, show limited success in lowering recidivism, with diverted offenders often faring worse than those released without treatment. Many programs fail to deliver promised services, and their effectiveness, such as in drug or alcohol treatment, remains unclear. Additionally, net widening increases the system's reach without improving outcomes, while due-process concerns arise from coerced admissions of guilt.

Explain Walker’s reasoning behind Proposition 30: Home confinement and electronic monitoring do not reduce crime. 

While EM programs are cost-efficient compared to imprisonment, they face technical issues like tampering risks and disrupted signals, creating a false sense of security. Intensive surveillance often leads to offenders returning to prison for minor violations, negating cost-control benefits.

Explain Walker’s reasoning for Proposition 34: Enhancing legitimacy is an important, and indeed necessary, strategy for reducing crime. 

Enhancing legitimacy in the criminal justice system is crucial for reducing crime. Legitimacy is influenced by how well criminal laws align with societal values, as seen in historical examples like Prohibition, where conflicting laws undermined respect for the legal system. Contemporary issues, such as racial disparities in drug law enforcement and changing attitudes toward marijuana, further highlight this disconnect. Revising drug policies to reduce penalties for marijuana possession could address these disparities, decrease felony convictions, and strengthen the justice system's legitimacy.