re: #124 goddamnedfrank

They also ignore the key distinction between the term crime, which is imprecise, and specific statutory offense. The cops who beat Rodney King were charged in Los Angeles County Court with assault and excessive force, and after the Simi Valley jury acquitted them the feds charged them with violating King’s civil rights. So, two totally different statutes stemming from the same underlying conduct. So, the question before SCOTUS also becomes can the President issue pardons for things that aren’t even technically crimes under federal law just to prevent State and local courts from punishing the underlying conduct? I think it’s far better that they leave things as they are because otherwise they’re going to end up deep into the weeds.

The NAACP filed an amicus brief addressing this issue

Also, related to my last post, the government hasn’t filed its brief yet, so amicus briefs that support their position won’t be due just yet