Warrants ad Infinitum
In not-really-litigation-related-but-too-interesting-not-to-post news, the Associated Press reports that there are 1.4 million -- million -- unserved warrants in the Commonwealth's criminal justice system:
Pennsylvania's new statewide computer system makes it possible for the first time to put a number on how many warrants remain unserved across the state - 1.4 million, including more than 100 for homicide, The Associated Press has found.
Pennsylvania is now the largest state to complete such a comprehensive court computer network, although several other large states - including California, New York and Ohio - are planning or implementing such systems, according to the National Center for State Courts in Williamsburg, Va.
The database is designed, in part, to help authorities reach across county lines to capture fugitives who have moved to avoid detection. It will also allow government officials and the public to compare how courts are performing from county to county.
"Because of this automation, it's becoming harder to run from the law," said Steve Schell, spokesman for the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts.It's a step in the right direction but, with a backlog of 1.4 million unserved warrants, the notion of "running from the law" seems quaint. A hearty saunter would probably suffice. Perhaps even a silly walk.
