Guest Blog by Representative Tom McMillin
In our society, putting someone behind bars is necessary after we are as certain beyond a reasonable doubt that the person is guilty. However, when we know that many facets of the system are broken and it is likely that innocent people have been thrown in jail, we must act to correct this injustice and balance the scales of justice.
After serving on the Governor's Indigent Defense Advisory Commission and thoroughly researching the indigent defense systems in our state, I have no doubt that there are people in prison who are innocent and others who are serving longer terms than they would have, if they had a decent attorney defending them.
Think about that. Is there anything more foundational to a society than making sure that the freedom of the innocent is not taken away by government? Knowing this fate has befallen some, due to inadequate defense and a broken system of justice, I made addressing this inadequacy a top priority.