La Crosse Police Say Judges, Prosecutors Need To Toughen Up On Drug Dealers

Police Cite A 'Revolving Door' At Jail For Particular Crimes

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La Crosse police are calling out prosecutors and judges for being too lenient on crime.

After an accused drug dealer was arrested twice within a few days, La Crosse police released an official statement, saying that there’s been a “lack of accountability” for certain criminals. The department says too often drug dealers are caught and released to the streets within 24 hours. Some say this has created a revolving door at the jail.

Capt. Robert Lawrence said they want the justice system to hold certain criminals more accountable and perhaps create tougher penalties or higher bonds after the accused are arrested.

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“There’s an influx of people coming to communities,” Lawrence said, “and if they have resources that they can receive when they come here and then there’s … softer accountability than another community, why not set up shop here and victimize the community as some people have chosen to do?”

Calls made to the La Crosse County District Attorney’s Office weren’t returned.

This is not the first time that cops have criticized prosecutors and judges, but this is an unusually public squabble.

University of Wisconsin law professor Dave Schultz said the disagreement doesn’t surprise him. He says every agency has a role to play and it’s not up to the police to decide bail amounts or when a person is released. He said bail limits are established to make sure a person shows up for future court appearances.

“It’s not supposed to be continued confinement for the pure purposes of punishment, because the person hasn’t been found guilty of anything yet,” Schultz said.

La Crosse police say ultimately they hope this sparks a conversation about reforms in the community.