Understanding the History of Racist Policing

History shows that racist policing has been around for at least 100 years in America. In 1919, the state militia was called in on the South Side of Chicago during race riots going on in the city.

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Racist Policing in America

Police brutality and violence is nothing new in America. It has been around for more than 100 years, but current events have ignited an awakening of injustice. The recent death of George Floyd and other black Americans has led to the Black Lives Matter movement and thousands of protests across the country.

To understand the history of police violence in America, it’s important to look at past events. According to an article in the Chicago Tribune published in 1919, when race riots broke out on the South Side of Chicago, the state militia was called to the scene. As a result, many people were injured by police officers who used violent tactics to control the riots.

In a recent book written by Khalil Muhammad, The Condemnation of Blackness, the author talks about systemic racism that has existed in American since the times of slavery. He says it can be found within the criminal justice system, federal and state governments, law enforcement agencies, and every day walks of life. The book points out a vicious cycle in American history that started a century ago, when black people were arrested to prevent them from exercising their rights under the Fourth Amendment.

In 1919, a 17-year-old black boy, Eugene Williams, was stoned to death by white people after he swam into what they deemed to be the wrong part of Lake Michigan. In response, black people in Chicago started protests, and white people attacked them, resulting in over 500 people injured and 38 people killed. Afterward, the city convened a commission to study the causes of the violence.

History shows that forms of racist policing and violence existed as far back as the 1600s when America was a British colony. White citizens of towns and cities developed a watchmen system where organized patrols would try to prevent crimes and maintain order as the slave population increased. Now 100 years later, racist policing in America has once again ignited national debates on racism and police brutality against blacks. In Minnesota, felony lawyers provide criminal defense for many innocent people arrested and charged with crimes. In many cases, defendants are acquitted due to misidentification, lack of evidence, and police coercion.

Max Keller has won countless jury trial cases involving misdemeanors and felonies, sex crimes, and DWI’s. He is a member of the Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice, which only allows the top 50 criminal defense attorneys in the state as members. Max is a frequent speaker at CLE’s and is often asked for advice by other defense attorneys across Minnesota.

Years of Experience: Approx. 20 years
Minnesota Registration Status: Active
Bar & Court Admissions: State of Minnesota Minnesota State Court Minnesota Federal Court 8th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals State of Maryland

What to Do If You Have Been Charged with a Criminal Offense

The Surprising Cost of a Guilty Criminal Plea in Minnesota

Defendants in Minnesota may plead guilty or accept deals without understanding the hidden cost of a guilty criminal plea. A guilty criminal plea, regardless of how appealing it appears, can leave you dealing with substantial lifelong consequences. You may skip lengthy trial proceedings and likely get a lenient sentence, but end up with a criminal record. The record can lead to various financial and collateral consequences, including difficulty in securing employment, loss of housing rights, license revocation, and immigration issues.

What You Can Expect at a Pre-Trial Motions Hearing in Minnesota

The pre-trial motions hearing is a court session you attend after your first arraignment. At the hearing, the prosecution and defense appear before a judge to clear several details about the case before trial. These details include pre-trial motions, evidentiary queries, and constitutional matters.

Refusing Arrest vs. Resisting Arrest in Minnesota: What’s the Difference?

Highly publicized incidents of police using excessive force over the past few years have led to people wondering, “What’s the difference between refusing arrest vs. resisting arrest?” Resisting arrest in Minnesota occurs when you use force to prevent a police officer from making a lawful arrest. Refusing an arrest, on the other hand, involves statements or actions that show reluctance to cooperate with an officer’s instructions without using force.