APW Endorses California Prop 69...

APW ^ | Oct 30, 2004 | Indepman

[The Real Indepman]

Updates the fingerprint to 21st century technology.

[My2Cents]

It has my support.

[supercat]

I would have no objection to taking a DNA sample of someone arrested for a violent felony, IFF the sample was kept in a sealed container and returned to the person (without having been logged) if they either show up at trial and are acquitted, or if the charges are dropped. I see no legitimate reason to permanently take and keep forever a person's DNA on the basis of an arrest which does not produce a conviction.

[Gophack]

I've been lurking this past year, but have to come out and say that I am ADAMANTLY opposed to Prop 69.

There is NO REASON why the government should extract a DNA sample from those arrested for felonies. IF the individual is convicted, then by all means, grab their DNA. But you are INNOCENT until proven guilty, and taking your DNA is plain wrong.

This is one closer step to tracking all people through their DNA. Hey, they give us a social security number when you're born, why not just take a little sample of your blood and attach that to your government file? Sure, if you commit a crime 20 years down the road they'll match you up, great! But at what price?

This is the first step to mandating DNA for a whole range of things we are currently required to provide our fingerprints for. A drivers' license. Cashing large checks--even at your own bank. Many jobs require a fingerprint before hiring.

The government has no right to maintain a DNA file on innocent people, but Prop. 69 will lead us there.

And whoever said that it's okay IF the government returns it when you're acquitted, all I can say is--yeah, sure. They'll have already run it through the database to see if you're guilty of any other crimes, so it's already in the system.

I am all for helping innocent people get out of prison. I am not for government tracking of DNA.

IMO
Allison