Commonwealth Policy Center

There is a crisis of justice in our land. But who would have thought prosecutors would be part of the problem? Portland’s District Attorney announced he will not prosecute cases of disorderly conduct or rioting. In Chicago, the top prosecutor lessened penalties for theft and shoplifting for the rioters who ransacked the downtown district. Both decisions undermine the law. Chicago City Alderman Brenden Riley criticized the prosecutor’s office and said “When there are no consequences for these criminal acts—large or small—it only serves as a further incentive for these criminals to repeat these crimes over and over.” Riley is right in that for the law to be respected by citizens, it must be equally respected by prosecutors and elected officials who are supposed to uphold the law. And when they fail to work for justice then it’s time to find someone else to do their job.