Van Hollen, Walker, and DOJ plan to collect DNA for misdemeanor arrests

[lutefisk]

Anyone arrested for a felony offense and all adults convicted of misdemeanor crimes would be required to provide a DNA sample to law enforcement under a proposal from the state Department of Justice...

Brian O'Keefe, administrator for the DOJ's Division of Law Enforcement Services, said the expected addition of about 68,000 DNA samples a year — at least initially — under the proposed expansion would help law enforcement solve more cases more quickly and get criminals off the street...

But Chris Ahmuty of the ACLU of Wisconsin said, "It seems like they've gone for the nuclear option when it comes to DNA on arrest."

O'Keefe said individuals are assigned a code when their DNA profiles are entered into the national database, so names aren't used. And under the DOJ proposal, people could have their DNA profile expunged from the system a year after being arrested if no charges are filed, or if they are acquitted or pardoned. But Ahmuty said if the original DNA sample is not destroyed, it raises concerns about how the genetic information could be used in the future.

http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/crime_and_courts/proposal-would-expand-dna-collection-to-more-than-just-convicted/article_9a84e2a2-01f3-11e2-b8df-0019bb2963f4.html

So, does this mean anyone charged with a misdemeanor for carrying a protest sign at the Capitol, for example, is forced to give the police a DNA sample? That's even more intimidating than sending the Capitol Police to someone's home or workplace. The article isn't completely clear on when the sample is taken, or if it is for all misdemeanors, but from reading other articles on this, it appears that law enforcement would take a DNA sample from anyone charged (not just convicted) with a misdemeanor in the state of Wisconsin. Couldn't find the actual proposal...

[midnight]

1. They started this years ago in Brookfield via OWI's.....

[mojowork_n]

2. Oh, sure, and then after they've passed Arizona-style "Show Us Your Papers" laws...

...and the state can order up a complete genetic profile of all of your ancestors,
they'll have a rational, scientific basis through which to justify the irrational
decisions they make, on where to deport you.