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A comment on Local police post mugshots on Pinterest, leading to a 57% boost in arrests. Parent comment

Re:Local police post mugshots on Pinterest, leading to a 57%... by oes0 on Monday December 10, 2012 @09:58AM (#4899210)
There's also a third option, people who can't (at the time) afford a lawyer to represent them.

Even in minor court cases, to plead not guilty and take a case to trial costs thousands of dollars. In jail-able offenses, some municipal courts don't have public defenders. And if you are innocent and unwilling to take a plea deal, your only option can be spending $3000+ to defend yourself against a minor misdemeanor charge.

(I realize these people are mostly charged with felonies it seems.)

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Re:Local police post mugshots on Pinterest, leading to a 57%... by jacquesm on Monday December 10, 2012 @03:27PM (#4901321)
> (I realize these people are mostly charged with felonies it seems.)

That doesn't necessarily make them more guilty.

It shouldn't cost any money at all to defend in a criminal case unless you wish to bring your own lawyer, and court provided lawyers should do better than they usually do.

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