California's Probation System Can Skew Criminal Justice
Simms had been on probation when he was arrested for allegedly bashing in the head of a pizza delivery driver for $60. But the District Attorney's Office couldn't make a criminal case against him, and the charges of assault, attempted murder, and robbery were dropped.
Still, on the advice of his lawyer, Simms accepted a deal that extended his probation until 2009.
The way California's probation system works, it doesn't matter if law enforcement proves an ex-con committed a crime. Just getting arrested can mean trouble. G.W. SCHULZ in the San Francisco Bay Guardian.