Dubuque, IA: Drug Offender's Pictures Posted on the Web

Des Moines Register ^ | 02/25/04 | des moines register writer

[Rightone]

The Dubuque County attorney is questioning the Oelwein Police Department's decision to post pictures of convicted drug offenders on the department's Web site.

"I'm not sure what the purpose would be other than to add public humiliation to the punishment they're already receiving," Dubuque County Attorney Fred McCar said.

[Rightone]

Wow. Let's really humiliate all these "convicts." /sarcasm

Sure seems like overkill to me. (see link at top of post to view the pictures.)

[dead]

I looked at the pictures of the marijuanna offenders. Real bunch of hardened criminals. Mostly teenagers, a couple of housewives, a few old hippies.

Posting their pictures is a great idea. Now the fact that the had a joint one day will make them completely unemployable forever.

That way, I get to go to work everyday to support them on welfare.

Thanks Chief Jeremy Logan! You're a big friggin' help.

[Clint Williams]

Can't do the time? Don't do the crime.

Personally, we should be registering and notifying on meth lab offenders. A friend who lives in a trailer park notes that last year two labs were discovered in her park. If that isn't a threat to the community, what is?

[Clint Williams]

Now the fact that the had a joint one day they deliberately, willfully, and with all due intent broke the law will make them completely unemployable forever.

[dead]

That's great. But what crime did the tax payers commit?

They're also punished by this.

You feel better about your community now that these (likely) formerly employed people will be living off the taxpayers from now on?

No cost is too high, I guess, as long as you get to do "the superior dance." Step lively, Carrie Nation.

[Rightone]

They are thinking of putting the alcohol violators there, too. With the .08 level now in Iowa I’m sure we can really get some hardened and nasty criminal pictures up there to view.

(Not saying that anyone should drink and drive, but I don’t agree with posting their pictures on a first offense at a .08 level – people make mistakes, and the penalties for drinking and driving are already VERY severe and expensive.)

[Dr._Joseph_Warren]

It is easy to see evil at work on these poor souls.

[Rightone]

You're right. Some of those pictures, especially the ones of meth addicts are downright nasty looking.

[ragnarocker]

Note to self -- do not wear I see dumb people t-shirt to mug shot.

[niteowl77]

Oelwein is not in Dubuque County, so why this would be germane to Fred McCaw (nor McCar) escapes me. The Register must be polling 'rat attorneys for some reason, and if so, you can bet it has nothing to do with legitimate constitutional rights.

[TKDietz]

Just for giggles, please take a look at this link where you will see that according to the 2002 National Survey on Drug Use & Health over 51% of those 18 and over who are full time employed in America have smoked marijuana.

http://www.samhsa.gov/oas/nhsda/2k2nsduh/html/Sect1peTabs1to110.htm#tab1.35b

Would it be a good thing if they were all made "completely unemployable forever?"

While we're having fun, I'll go you one better. Look at the table I'm linking you to below and you'll see that almost 20% of full time employed Americans 18 and over have used cocaine before. That's just awful isn't it? Surely these one in five Americans should all be made completely unemployable forever for their deliberate, willful, and intentional felonious conduct, right?

http://www.samhsa.gov/oas/nhsda/2k2nsduh/html/Sect1peTabs1to110.htm#tab1.40b

[B4Ranch]

Life is too tough for Americans so we need to bring in more immigrants who can handle the stress of our 'lifestyle'.