"Allowing sheriffs to dictate the implementation of laws — like we saw in Illinois and New Mexico — subverts the democratic will of the people." https://www.democracydocket.com/opinion/these-sheriffs-are-refusing-to-enforce-state-law/
@marcelias Is this really so different from sanctuary cities or localities that have chosen not to enforce marijuana possession laws?
@timo21 @marcelias In my city, the Sheriff chose to stop booking people for marijuana before the city council.
Do you believe he was in the wrong?
@LouisIngenthron @marcelias Yes I do. LE will say they prioritize every day which laws to enforce based upon resources available and community guidance. But for the enforcement people to put their own views above the community views, that's a different issue.
@timo21 @marcelias Stanislav Petrov also put his own views above the very important rules dictated by his community. But I think it's safe to say we're all better off for it.
Police shouldn't be able to invent new laws to enforce, but I certainly don't mind them having the prerogative to choose not to enforce an unjust law.
@LouisIngenthron @marcelias in regard to Petrov not following orders, that saved lives. And so do red flag laws. Perhaps the common thread in support of arbitrary LE actions is what is the most humane action to take? It seems LE gets in the most trouble when they act in inhumane ways, legal or not.
@timo21 @marcelias Agreed, and that's why they need the leeway. Laws are written in a vacuum. If they're applied to the letter, without consideration for circumstance, they'll almost always end up being used unjustly.
Even refusing to enforce pot laws can save lives (by not sending an otherwise upstanding citizen to con college).
And elections are how we judge cops for the use of that leeway.
@LouisIngenthron @marcelias yes the unfair and uneven prosecution of pot laws was a driving factor when Colorado citizens passed the first full legalization law. That and the 'my tax dollars' argument for LE costs. (I lived in CO at the time).
@LouisIngenthron @marcelias look at the red flag laws that some sheriffs won't enforce. That's a public safety law. A sheriff not enforcing that is eventually going to have blood on their hands. All because they place their personal worldview over saving lives as directed by legislative bodies.
@timo21 @marcelias And if the community doesn't like that, they're free to elect a new sheriff next cycle.
@LouisIngenthron @marcelias yes there is a difference between a single autocratic official deciding on which laws are valuable versus city councils holding debate and voting as representatives of the community on which laws are valuable. Apples and oranges, as they say.