Changes to the Justice System Due to Coronavirus
Big changes are happening to the Chicago criminal justice system in the wake of COVID-19 and its ensuing economic and lifestyle effects.
As state crime labs scale back operations and officers have deemed some samples as less important in our current state of crisis, resulting in low-level charges involving drug crimes being dismissed and those in jail being released — for the time being at least.
Already, coronavirus has made massive shifts in the way that criminal justice functions in America, not just in the greater Illinois region.
Throughout the country, many already-understaffed police departments are having to make the decision between which calls to respond to, both for fears of being infected with the virus as well as to be sure not to stretch resources too thin in case of an emergency situation.
Although this may seem like a good opportunity for criminals to commit crimes, Chicago reported that burglaries and other crimes have down since quarantine orders went into effect.
It’s also not just a free-for-all for criminals in the streets of Chicago — you can be sure that police will investigate these low-level crimes at a different point if evidence can be uncovered. While the crime lab may be slowing down its operations on the narcotics front, prosecutors received a memo stating “At the time the cases are dismissed, (prosecutors) are to ask the judge to inform the defendant that he or she may be indicted at a later date…”
Crime may not be wholly paused in Chicago, but it certainly has been a good break for the residents.
Some information hereon was provided by Vadim A. Glozman, 53 West Jackson Blvd. Ste 1410B, Chicago, IL 60604, (312) 757–2314
