After only a year and a half of practicing criminal defense, it is clear to me that Iowa needs comprehensive and systematic criminal justice reform. Especially in Polk County. A few of the problems that need to be addressed as part of any criminal justice reform bill include:
Imposition of unconscionable bonds
Mass incarceration for non-violent victimless crime
Rampant and systematic abuse of probation system
Allowing Defendants the ability to withdraw guilty pleas if the Court does not follow a joint sentencing recommendation, regardless of whether the prosecutor consents to allowing the Defendant to withdraw.
