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Should prisons in jail be allowed to wear civilian clothes in court to preserve their presumption of innocence?
At county or city jails, the prisons are too often hauled before the judge for hearings or for arraignment while wearing chains and prison garb. How can any judge possibly presume innocence no matter how they try to be impartial? Being chained to each other as they file in, wearing the orange pajamas or whatever color the jailor uses---this prejudices the judge and any jury that might be involved. If reforms are in the works, this should be one of them. Do you agree?
I meant to say "prisoners" instead of "prisons"....
If arrested for minor offenses for which the Judge decides on the sentence, the wearing of prison garb and chains is PREJUDICIAL.
7 Answers
- 0110Lv 76 years ago
Judge (bench trial) it makes no difference. You do know that judges have had access to all reports and when hearing motions prior t trial get all kinds of info, that they later ignore,at trial.
Or have you only gotten your extensive experience from TV and movies?
When on trial in front of a jury all in custody get to wear civilian clothing.
BTW in my county, with the largest jail in one place and court system, almost all overnighters are still in their own clothing since most will receive a bond they can post or a signature bond.
- Anonymous6 years ago
Didn't know a prison has gone to court wearing anything, strange question?
- AnonymousLv 76 years ago
No - if you're talking about Dannamora - the inmates there complained which is why they get to wear regular clothes.
I have a feeling this is going to change across the board.
- Anonymous6 years ago
What a looney idea. No offense, but that's as logically sound as demanding that no one be handcuffed because they haven't been convicted yet so it would be false imprisonment to handcuff or hold them in a cell...ya know....since they're innocent until proven guilty.
While we're at it, why not make it illegal for police officers to physically detain anyone who hasn't been convicted of a crime, sure that's pretty much impossible but hey, the integrity of the legal and civil system comes first!
- Anonymous6 years ago
Yes, but only if the judge and prosecutor wore orange prison jump suits. That would even things out.