HB1302

Having their names published (easily searchable) by publications like The Patch is plenty, nobody needs the mug shots too.

I was under the impression we are innocent until proven guilty; and while that may be under fire at the Federal Level, I argue that now is especially the time for State Government to keep the privacy of its constituents as a high priority. Causing unnecessary chaos surrounding law enforcement activity could in turn cause even more community violence: if a ‘vigilante’ sees someone’s mugshot, does not dig any deeper (as we have seen media + internet literacy exponentially decline in the last ~8 years), and decides to attack them based on a presumption of guilt in an alleged crime or difference in values. I support HB1302 and the decision to keep what could be a person’s lowest point private until proven guilty or unless they are a violent and active threat to the neighborhood. Being arrested is consistently a traumatic experience beyond what may have been happening at the time of an assumed offence, which in many cases has been rooted in a sense of personal desperation within society.

Post-arrest photos should only be published after conviction, except in the case of public safety.

Innocent until proven guilty