Since 2019 the Coronavirus has spread worldwide and left its mark on nearly every aspect of our daily lives. The COVID-19 pandemic has left its mark seemingly everywhere in our society, and the criminal justice system is no different. The impact of COVID-19 on the criminal justice system is numerous. All aspects of the criminal justice system were affected, from crime rates during the lockdown, the types of crimes committed, how the criminal justice system responded, trials, sentencing, and corrections. Below we break down the three pertinent areas of the criminal justice system where the pandemic has had the most significant effect.
The Pandemic’s Effect On Crime Trends
How has COVID-19 affected crime rates? The pandemic has had a surprising effect on crime rates over the past few years. When the nation went under lockdown in the spring of 2020, police agencies across the country reported that overall crime incidents dropped. Unsurprisingly, the drop in traffic stops resulted in a decline in drug, driving, and DUI offenses. Additionally, there was a reported decrease in thefts and residential burglaries due to fewer stores being open and fewer people leaving their homes unoccupied. Crime during the pandemic did not necessarily stop entirely. However, despite the overall crime rate falling during the pandemic, the country saw a sharp increase in specific areas. Domestic violence incidents, hate crimes, and cybercrimes have all reportedly increased during the pandemic. The shift in crime rates, crime types, and other legal issues during the pandemic have forced the criminal justice system to change how it handles certain operations.
Criminal Justice System’s Response To The Pandemic
The criminal justice system is a network of agencies and is comprised of three major components, law enforcement, courts, and corrections. The COVID-19 impact on the criminal justice system touched all three of these branches. Law enforcement officers have expanded citations in place of arrest policies and limited arrests within established statutory limits to reduce the stress on the courts and corrections. Courts at every level across the country postponed and canceled proceedings. This created a backlog of trials, and in many cases, trials were dismissed. Many courts have transitioned to tele-hearings or teleconferences instead of in-person appearances. The pandemic has highlighted many inefficiencies and criminal justice issues, and most courthouses are not yet back to their pre-pandemic capacity. The backlog of cases means local jails are unable to house new criminal defendants, and those defendants stuck in jail are not granted their right to a fair and speedy trial. Defendants can be sitting in jail, losing out on employment and means to support their families. Likewise, victims of crime who were traumatized face added anguish waiting to see how the cases are resolved.
How The Pandemic Affected Corrections
The pandemic’s effect on corrections has become one of the most discussed social justice issues during COVID-19. Across the country, there have been outbreaks of COVID-19 in prisons and jails due to their population density and social distancing limitations. This has only highlighted the already existing criminal justice issue of prison crowding and the lack of sanitation measures in American prisons. The RAND Corporation, a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decision-making, found “a number of corrections agencies could not move activities outdoors, lacked ventilation systems that could address airborne viruses, had dense prison populations, needed to house individuals in shared spaces and required frequent exits and entries by staff and individuals under custody.” This led to significant changes in how correctional facilities operated, like reductions in admissions, early releases of prisoners, and the suspension of certain programs. Local jails and juvenile detention centers faced the same challenges as federal prisons and made similar efforts to reduce the population of incarcerated individuals.
Long Term Effects Of COVID-19 On The Courts & Criminal Justice System
The long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic will be felt for years to come. It is hard to tell what, if any, of the changes that have been implemented in response to the recent, current events in the criminal justice system will remain after the pandemic is over. All three branches of the criminal justice had to make changes in practices and procedures. Now that lockdown procedures have eased, it is unclear how COVID-19 and crime rates will continue to be linked. The effect the pandemic had on courts and corrections is a criminal justice issue that may take years to realize and resolve fully.
We at Antol & Sherman are a team of experienced, effective attorneys who have over 60 years of combined experience practicing law in Northern Arizona. We offer personalized, individual treatment for every client they represent. Our experience in criminal defense ranges from cases like DUI, drug charges, and violent crimes to other serious felonies. Moreso, we also offer representation for family law, including child custody, adoptions, and divorce. Contact us today to schedule your free initial consultation with an attorney today.