Monitoring Connecticut Criminals - Flaws in the System.

The process of monitoring convicted criminals released on parole in Connecticut has serious limitations and flaws. The monitoring by Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) tracking costs Connecticut taxpayers nearly a million dollars a year for the technology systems and monitoring of 250 people.

And that doesn't include the expenses accrued for personnel to track town false positive location violations, due to the frequent glitches. Studies have shown that these false alarms result in police, and probation office personnel having to spend time checking out these reports that an individual being tracked was in the wrong place.

Monitoring of many of these criminals, particularly sex offenders, is an important safety precaution. But if the cost and effort outweighs the benefit, the situation needs to be seriously re-evaluated.

It may make sense for Connecticut criminal justice agents to put this use of technology on hold until more reliability and accuracy makes it worth the effort.

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Editorial on Drinking Age Reform

Interesting view on the efforts to pull back the drinking age from 21 to 18 that has been spearheaded by College presidents nationwide and in Connecticut. Known at the Amethyst Initiative, the goal is to treat drinking among young people as a behavioral issue, and not a criminal one.

The reason college presidents are leading this effort is that they find themselves on the front lines of underage drinking. College age alcohol parties are epidemic, and university presidents are put in the position of trying to control this behavior and enforcing these laws. And because enforcement and monitoring is lessened off campus, that's where most of the parties happen. This often leads to students driving drunk to return back to campus.

The larger issue is that studies show because it is illegal, the activity is driven underground, and tends to promote and enable the most irresponsible binge drinking behavior.

It is time for a rational approach to managing this problem. Underage college age drinking isn't going away. If it is out in the open, it is much easier to promote safe drinking habits and the surrounding behaviors.

Criminal Charges for Minors Go Before Juvenile Review Board

In an effort to avoid criminal courts and a potential criminal record early in life, a new program aims to put juveniles before a review board. The current program, being used in Winsted, Torrington and Waterbury brings youthful offenders for minor charges before a board of local community leaders, and social service agencies.

Examples of infractions that may be referred to a review board include vandalism/criminal mischief, and theft. To be eligible for this alternative, the individual must be 16 or under, have no previous criminal history, and be recommended by the police officer.

Review boards are overseen by the towns youth services commissions, and typically meet monthly.

Typical "sentences" handed out by the juvenile review boards include counseling, or writing a letter of apology to the victim.

All in all, these boards are an excellent attempt to help at-risk youths before they become entrenched in the criminal justice system, and create an opportunity for preventing future problems. In addition, they take some of the caseload off of the frequently overburdened criminal courts in Connecticut.

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If you are facing a criminal charge in Connecticut, whether as a juvenile or an adult, please contact our defense lawyers for a free case evaluation on the charges you are facing.