The Justice Department's civil rights division is probing Hennepin County's new policy on plea deals, focusing on claims of illegal racial considerations in prosecutorial decision-making. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon announced the investigation via social media following a controversial memo instructing prosecutors to factor in racial and age considerations during plea negotiations. While intended to address disparities, the memo raises legal questions about civil rights violations. This scrutiny comes during a challenging time for the civil rights division, impacted by staff resignations amid ongoing frustrations.
The Department of Justice is investigating a new Hennepin County policy after concerns were raised about its consideration of race in plea deals.
Advocates argue that the criminal justice system produces disparities in sentencing, and the prosecutor's memo attempts to address these longstanding issues.
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