The ACLU, the Public Defender and the Urban League all testified in opposition to legislation that would have required the collection of DNA samples from any person arrested for a felony. This practice flies in the face of the presumption of innocence which is the backbone of our criminal justice system, and would be a dangerous step towards creation of a DNA database cataloging every person in the nation. The legislation passed the Senate in May, but failed to move out of committee in the House.
DNA Testing of Arrestees (H 5132, S 120)
Sponsors
Representative Brian Kennedy and Senator David Bates
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