Justice Department investigates Fairfax prosecutor's charging and sentencing policies
Updated
Updated · Department of Justice · May 6
Justice Department investigates Fairfax prosecutor's charging and sentencing policies
9 articles · Updated · Department of Justice · May 6
The federal civil rights probe targets Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano in Virginia over alleged bias favouring undocumented criminal defendants over US citizens.
Officials said investigators will examine plea bargaining, charging decisions and sentencing practices under the Civil Rights Act, the Safe Streets Act and a federal law enforcement misconduct statute.
The department said no conclusions have been reached; the case follows scrutiny of a 2020 Fairfax policy telling prosecutors to consider immigration consequences in charging decisions.
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