Muscatine

I have been lurking for a long time again but this is a subject near and dear to me as I have relatives that are in the jailer business.

First off, most of the inmates in a county jail in Iowa are NOT convicted of anything yet.  They are being held for trial and known as pre-adjudicated. That means Not guilty. Held because they may be a flight risk or a danger to the public. Some are convicted of crimes punishable by less than one year in jail. Over 365 days and they go to the State Dept of Corrections. Putting puzzles together is a great pass time and keeps their minds occupied and hopefully out of trouble. Playing cards and board games are also great time passers. Remember what your mama said about idle minds? 

Secondly I take exception to aussielees assertion that there are tons of folks in prison that are innocent. Not even close to the truth. That is deja-moo--a lot of bull that I have heard before. Darn few convicts admit to their crimes. Do truly innocent folks get convicted? Sadly they sometimes do. When you compare the numbers of folks convicted with the numbers of folks wrongly convicted, I think you will see that our system works pretty well.

Re: County and City Atty having a private practice either alone or in partnership- Not at all uncommon in Iowa. They are considered part time employees by their respective govt agencies. As such under Iowa law, they can maintain a private practice. Many cities and counties would find themselves without representation if they had to pay the going rate for full time attys. It just isnt financially feasible for many counties. I am curious as to how they have not represented the interests of either the city or county. Evidently their employers(the city and county) are happy with their performance. You can always vote for a new county atty. As for "coaching" a witness, do you really think a defense atty does not "coach" a witness? If you do, I have a bridge I want to sell you.

Keep in mind that the "bad guys" at Ft. Madison started out in a county jail just like ours.Your Sheriffs Dept. Jail Division does a pretty good job all in all. A lot of good people over there doing a difficult job keeping you all safe. They are to be commended. 

invisible...jail...You woulda been better off staying invisible....what i said is considered conflict of interests according to several out of county assistant D.A.'s, i didn't just opinionate what i said. And i do commend the jail staff here, i am friendly with many of them, how ever, they don't lock up the accused, they just watch over them. And aussilee is right that tons of them are wrongly convicted, prosecutor or defense, a witnesses words should come as the witness see's fit, not through coaching from either party. How much for that bridge? Has it been inspected recently?

I know that they put people away that did nothing wrong, so don't try and say that they don't. I can tell you of a case where 8 people went to prison a year ago for something they had nothing to do with and now have sentences ranging from 3-14 years. Just 1 case. That is a lot of people in one case to get put away for nothing. Yes it does happen.

I also know that they prosecution with held evidence that could have helped these people which they have now had placed in front of an appeals court to show as Brady material and I am sure they will win, or at least I really really hope they win. They all need to be home with their families where they belong, not paying for someone else's screw up.  And I as a tax payer don't like that these innocent people are sitting there and I am paying for it. Don't think that I don't voice my opinion on this, I do every single day, and not just here or to my friends and family. It is a federal case and believe me I am yelling it out and writing my congress man and other government officials on this, just as everyone should.

 

Aussielee. I suspect you are refering to a Federal Conspiracy charge. While your friends may not have engaged in the actual crime, if they conspired to commit one, they did in fact commit an  offense as they have found out. I also suspect that we are talking about a drug posession or manufacture charge are we not? Again, as your friends found out the Feds dont play around do they? I dont think the prosecution is required to assist folks in their defense. That is why they are caled the prosecution.I also suspect if you were to reveal ALL the FACTS of the case, most of us would be relieved that they are locked up and not slinging dope on the street. JMHO