Denver criminal defense lawyer / how change happens

Here is an encouraging story about reduction in drug possession penalties being proposed in Colorado. It is also fairly instructive of what it takes to get the laws changed.

Republican Sen. Shawn Mitchell, one of the lawmakers leading the way on the legislation, has spoken publicly about the toll meth addiction has taken on his younger brother and said he wants a more sensible approach against drugs. He said his brother is "on a strong path to recovery."

"The war on drugs has made government more powerful, citizens less free, and hasn't helped users or addicts," Mitchell said. "I want to push a smarter effort against drugs. I want to stop piling people into prisons and stop branding people with a felony for a personal weakness."

Mitchell said he questioned the government's handling of drug crimes even before his experience with his brother.

As you can probably tell from this Denver criminal defense lawyer blog, I have a number of issues with the way the system is set up. From the ability of people to get things sealed from their record, to unclarity in the criminal code, there are a variety of issues that really need to be addressed. Unfortunately the only real way this ever happens is when someone in a position of power is personally touched by the issue. That's why we get huge congressional inquiries into white collar crime where the middle class is defrauded, but there is never any real concern about the brutal costs of prison on the less fortunate. Unfortunately there isn't much to be done here, except to get the less fortunate to be more involved in decision making. Of course one gigantic group of the less fortunate (felons) can't even vote! Ever in their lives! So it's up to Denver defense lawyers and also those that care about these issues despite not being directly affected to be active on behalf of those without a voice.