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Culture War Roundup for the week of April 21, 2025

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I'm talking about state judges, because that's what's at issue here. And yep, ask nicely is what they do, by which I mean put in a formal request. And they generally agree for minor crimes as well as major ones, unless there's some compelling reason to get the guy out of the country ASAP. I remember a DUI case in Washington County, PA where the defense attorney was arguing for a dismissal since the guy was going to be deported and the case was moot. The fairly hardass judge wanted the attorney to request a release from ICE detention because he wanted to keep the guy from driving drunk and could require an interlock device and testing if the guy stayed here until the case was resolved. I don't know how the case ended, but I got the impression that the judge was convinced that they guy would end up killing someone in Mexico if he didn't dry out first.

The judge wanted the case off his call permanently. That is the most likely reason for this attitude.

*Edit

Here is how I imagine the thought process of a tougher on crime in my jurisdiction going:

  1. Damn it, another dumbass not coming to court.
  2. Oh counsel with another lame ass excuse is it? OOO WAIT a decent excuse this time. ICE CUSTODY! I havent had one for years!
  3. Crap. The state is right, this is actually the defendant's fault. I might have to issue a warrant.
  4. AHA! I can just order them to ask ICE to release him to me! Then I can be rid of this and go to my luncheon on time for once!
  5. Oh crap, no one actually has power over ICE to make that happen.
  6. Now I have to make the hard decision between issuing the warrant and risking he comes back and NOT issuing the warrant and he commits some crimes without a warrant issued! GAHHHH. I didn't become a judge to make choices, this is my paid retirement!