,
8 tweets,
2 min read
Read on Twitter
So the person who allegedly threw a bucket of water on a Brooklyn cop is a "known gang member." Because like who else would do that?
Seriously tho, prosecutors do nearly always describe our clients as "known gang members" at arraignments, regardless of the offense.
Seriously tho, prosecutors do nearly always describe our clients as "known gang members" at arraignments, regardless of the offense.
So something as trivial as throwing a bucket of water becomes that much more ominous sounding if the person is alleged to be in a "gang."
It happens with all minor charges, even something like turnstile jumping, where "gang" membership could never be relevant.
It happens with all minor charges, even something like turnstile jumping, where "gang" membership could never be relevant.
It's so problematic. First the prosecutor will state it as a fact, when what it means is our client is in an NYPD gang database.
And even tho we ask the judge not to consider it, it's been put on the record with the same certainty as the time & place where the incident occurred.
And even tho we ask the judge not to consider it, it's been put on the record with the same certainty as the time & place where the incident occurred.
And when I say our clients are nearly always called "known gang members" that's because the NYPD gang database criteria catches nearly every Black & Brown teenager in the city.
You live in a certain NYCHA building or neighborhood, play basketball on a certain court, you're in.
You live in a certain NYCHA building or neighborhood, play basketball on a certain court, you're in.
Wear certain color clothing, you're in. Not just red or blue. Also pink, green, brown, black, light green, purple, khaki, and a bunch of other colors (seriously - these are colors listed in the database).
Kids who give their friendship groups names, they're in. I had a teenage client once tell me so excitedly about his basketball team when I was interviewing him. We go before the judge - prosecutor says he's a "known gang member." The gang's name? His basketball team's name.
I sometimes think prosecutors are getting ridiculous now that virtually every client is a "known gang member" - that judges will see it as a meaningless term.
But for many I think it reinforces their views that Black and Brown people, even children, are by definition, criminals.
But for many I think it reinforces their views that Black and Brown people, even children, are by definition, criminals.
I just hope people who see this NYPD tweet and recognize it is ridiculous, also understand that it has real-life consequences for so many young Black and Brown people in this city.
