Posted on 02/14/2008 11:22:13 AM PST by JZelle
ANNAPOLIS (AP) — Gov. Martin O'Malley urged lawmakers to require DNA samples from people who are arrested for violent crimes and burglary, a significant expansion of current state law. Lawmakers questioned whether the proposal was too broad.
Mr. O'Malley described the measure as a badly needed crime-fighting tool for Maryland. He asked lawmakers yesterday to "move to the next generation of what I like to refer to as the modern-day, next-generation fingerprint."
"We are the fourth-most violent state in the union, and there's really no good reason for it," Mr. O'Malley testified. "We all need to fight back against violent crime, and our state needs to become a much stronger and forward-leaning partner with our local law enforcement."
Currently, Maryland takes DNA samples only from convicted felons. Mr. O'Malley's proposal, which he described as one of the most important pieces of his legislative package this year, would require DNA samples to be taken from anyone arrested for about 15 violent crimes and for burglary.
Lawmakers were particularly concerned about extending the law to nonviolent crimes, like burglary. Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler, who supports the bill, testified that burglary can often lead to violent crime when a burglar goes inside a home and finds someone inside they weren't expecting.
But Sen. Lisa A. Gladden, Baltimore Democrat who is a public defender, pointed out that the law would apply to fourth-degree burglary, which can land someone in jail for looking into a car too long.
"Clearly, fourth degree is just too broad," she said.
The ACLU of Maryland also objects to the proposal on constitutional grounds, saying the bill would increase the chance of errors at the state's forensic lab in Pikesville by increasing the volume of samples.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Monica Lewinsky, another Democrat, once collected perp DNA.
Well, there is that pesky tradition of presumption of innocence in America to get in the way.
Allowing concealed carry would be a GIANT step in lowering crime; of course, one would not expect a liberal dork like O'Malley to understand that....
Yep, that’s our “Big-on-Law& Order” Governor.(sarcasm off).
“”We are the fourth-most violent state in the union, and there’s really no good reason for it,” Mr. O’Malley testified.”
Hm, so all of that war on poverty and crime was bunk.
>> O’Malley wants suspects’ DNA collected
... and I wouldn’t mind seeing O’Malley’s DNA scattered! But you can’t always get what you want...
Presumption of innocence merely means the state cannot punish someone until proved guilty, the way I see it.
It is if you've been convicted of a felony. I don't think a simple arrest for a certain crime necessitates a DNA sample.
Is DNA a modern "fingerprint," as the governor says? Fingerprints are taken after an arrest. I have difficulty equating fingerprints with DNA right now, but I'm not close-minded.
Fingerprints don’t contain any more information than the physical formation of ridges and swirls on your fingertips. DNA carries every bit of information about you.
Maryland “Freak State” PING!
More like self incrimination - something in the U.S Constitution about that.
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