Meet the Federal Judge Trump Attacked for Ruling NYPD’s Stop & Frisk Policy was Unconstitutional

Summary

In a recent episode of *Democracy Now*, former District Judge Shira Scheindlin discusses her pivotal ruling against New York City's stop-and-frisk policy, which she found unconstitutional due to racial profiling. She highlights the significant drop in stop-and-frisk incidents following her decision, with no increase in crime rates. Scheindlin critiques former President Trump's support for federal stop-and-frisk, emphasizing his misunderstanding of local police authority and expressing concern over his judicial nominees, whom she considers unqualified due to their controversial views. She also reflects on her current role in advocating for justice and understanding of the federal courts.

Takeaways

• 😀 Judge Shira Scheindlin ruled that New York City's stop-and-frisk policy was unconstitutional, significantly impacting the lives of many residents.
• 😀 The ruling led to a drastic reduction in stop-and-frisk incidents, decreasing from over 700,000 to fewer than 50,000 annually without a rise in crime.
• 😀 Judge Scheindlin emphasized that stops must be conducted in accordance with the Constitution, countering racial profiling practices.
• 😀 Former Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the end of the city's appeal regarding the stop-and-frisk ruling, indicating a shift in police policy.
• 😀 President Trump expressed support for stop-and-frisk policies, showing a lack of understanding about local law enforcement's autonomy.
• 😀 Judge Scheindlin faced attempts from the previous administration to discredit her ruling through misleading media narratives.
• 😀 Concerns were raised regarding Trump's judicial nominees, particularly their qualifications and views on civil rights.
• 😀 Judge Damien Schiff was criticized for making derogatory remarks about Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy.
• 😀 John Bush's comparison of abortion to slavery was deemed offensive and indicative of disqualification for a federal judgeship.
• 😀 Judge Scheindlin advocated for a strong relationship between police and the community for effective law enforcement.

Q & A

What was the significant decision made by Judge Shira Scheindlin regarding the stop-and-frisk policy?

Judge Scheindlin ruled that the stop-and-frisk policy was unconstitutional due to its reliance on racial profiling, leading to a drastic reduction in stops and frisks in New York City.

How did Mayor Bill de Blasio address the stop-and-frisk policy when he took office?

Mayor de Blasio announced the city would drop its appeal of the ruling that deemed stop-and-frisk unconstitutional and would settle an ongoing lawsuit related to the policy.

What was the impact of Judge Scheindlin's ruling on the number of stop-and-frisk incidents?

As a result of her ruling, the number of stop-and-frisk incidents dropped by 97%, from 700,000 to less than 50,000, without a rise in crime.

What criticism did Judge Scheindlin face from the administration at the time?

Judge Scheindlin faced attempts to discredit her from Mayor Bloomberg's administration and Commissioner Ray Kelly, which included planting negative stories in the local press.

What was President Trump's stance on stop-and-frisk during his campaign?

During his campaign, Trump supported reinstating a nationwide stop-and-frisk policy, citing its effectiveness in New York City, despite it being a local police policy.

How did Judge Scheindlin respond to Trump's comments about federal control over police policies?

Judge Scheindlin pointed out Trump's ignorance regarding federal authority over local police, clarifying that there is no federal stop-and-frisk policy.

What concerns did Judge Scheindlin express about Trump's judicial nominees?

Judge Scheindlin expressed concern that Trump's nominees, such as Damien Schiff and John Bush, held extreme views that could undermine the integrity of the federal judiciary.

How did Judge Scheindlin describe the relationship between the community and police before and after the ruling?

Before the ruling, the community felt alienated from the police due to the stop-and-frisk policy. Afterward, there was an effort to rebuild trust and work together for effective law enforcement.

What did Judge Scheindlin say about her departure from the bench?

Judge Scheindlin left the bench to pursue opportunities for writing and speaking out on issues related to the law, wanting to make an impact beyond her judicial role.

What was Judge Scheindlin's perspective on the term 'so-called judges' used by President Trump?

Judge Scheindlin found it outrageous that a President would refer to federal judges as 'so-called judges,' stating that these judges are committed to their work and justice.