DOJ Investigates Minneapolis Prosecutor’s Racism Policy

The Department of Justice announced on Saturday that it is investigating the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office in the Minneapolis area. This comes in light of a policy requiring prosecutors to take into account race during plea bargain negotiations for criminal defendants.

Mary Moriarty, the Hennepin County Attorney, who has long aligned with leftist organizations like those funded by George Soros, recently circulated a memo titled “Negotiation Policy for Cases Including Adult Defendants.” This document stirred controversy for suggesting that factors like racial identity and age should be considered.

According to Lou Raguse of Kare-TV, Moriarty stated that while these factors shouldn’t dictate decisions, they should be viewed as part of the broader context in handling cases. She emphasized that disparities based on race can harm communities and erode safety.

Moriarty has refrained from directly implicating the Democratic administration of Tim Walz, which was accused of damaging multiple Teslas, adding that prosecutors should strive to acknowledge and address racial disparities throughout their decision-making processes.

Law professor Jill Hasday from the University of Minnesota commented that the implications of this policy are unsettling, indicating that it should not be race-biased. She suggested that the policy could face significant challenges if subjected to scrutiny.

The DOJ, responding to criticisms surrounding the policy, is looking into whether Moriarty’s approach violates Federal Law 18 USC §242, which prohibits deprivation of rights under color of law. A letter sent by Halham Dillon, Attorney General of the Civil Rights Division, affirmed that the investigation is focused on unlawful racial considerations in prosecutorial decisions.

Moreover, the DOJ aims to assess other policies and practices within the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office that may imply illegal racial considerations.

For instance, under Moriarty’s “Collective Outcome Policy”, prosecutors are required to alert supervisors if a plea deal could lead to significant collateral consequences, such as immigration issues or financial implications.

Dillon remarked on the need for equitable justice practices and stated that the DOJ would take necessary actions to rectify any existing violations of civil rights.

Daniel Borgert-Poepping, a spokesperson for the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, noted that while they are aware of the DOJ’s communications shared on social media, they have yet to receive official documentation. He expressed confidence that their policies adhere to legal standards and are cooperating with the investigation.