On Wednesday, I introduced legislation yesterday which will require the Attorney General to create a pilot program to examine racial and ethnic disparities in the criminal justice system within 10 U.S. districts across the country. H.R. 6518, the Justice Integrity Act of 2008, is designed to increase public confidence in the justice system and address any unwarranted racial and ethnic disparities in the criminal process.

Over the past 30 years, my experiences in working directly with the people of Memphis have taught me that many in the African American community have deep misgivings about fairness in the justice system. Certainly, there is inequity in our criminal justice system with racial profiling and certain mandatory minimum laws, but I believe that this bill can start the process of mending fences between law enforcement and minorities as well as improve equality and fairness in the system.

In addition to creating the pilot program, the Attorney General would be required to report back to the Congress on his or her findings. The purpose of the program is to gather data on the disparities and community perceptions of bias in the justice system. Members of Congress and the Justice Department would analyze whether measures could be taken to end the disparities and increase confidence in the justice system.

As the lead sponsor of this important initiative, I will do my best to ensure that Memphis is included in the study. Regardless, I strongly believe that the Justice Integrity Act will have a long-lasting and positive impact on the Justice Department and our justice system if and when it passes through Congress. I am working with Senator Biden (D-DE) who introduced accompanying legislation in the Senate with broad support, and I am confident that we will pass this bill in the House.

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By Tenn. Dem. Rep. Steve Cohen

This entry was posted on Friday, July 18th, 2008 at 1:37 pm and is filed under Politics, Civil Rights .