GA SB 77
Should Georgians support Senator John Albers (R-Roswell), and others, in their effort to create law to collect DNA samples prior to trial from those arrested for serious crimes?
RESULTS AS OF March 14, 2016
11% of Counties Reported
11% Voted YES | 17% MAYBE | 77% NO
Sen. John Albers (R-Roswell, District 56) sponsor of SB 77, a bill to be entitled an Act to amend Article 6A of Chapter 3 of Title 35 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to DNA sampling, collection, and analysis, so as to provide for analysis and collection of DNA for individuals arrested and convicted of felony offenses; to revise and add definitions; to change provisions relating to time and procedure for obtaining DNA samples; to change provisions relating to expungement of profiles in the data bank; to amend Code Section 17-6-1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to where offenses are bailable, procedure, and schedule of bails, so as to provide a cross-reference for purposes of DNA collections as a condition of bail; to provide for related matters; to provide for a contingent effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Survey Respondent Comments
Because we have the right to a trial and we are considered innocent until proven guilty
I don’t see how DNA testing is fundamentally any different than fingerprinting.
Fingerprints have long been used in helping to prove innocence or guilt. DNA does the same thing.
Expanding syringe exchange, putting parents in control of minors and allowing pregnant women to refuse an HIV test sounds reasonable.
The wording is too vague relative to need for theses changes.
Gross violation of privacy, 5th Amendment. Government should not be allowed to databank the DNA of it’s citizens until they are tried and convicted of a crime against the state.
This threatens due process and our Constitutional rights.
The result of the collection could immediately eliminate a suspect or confirm that the suspect was indeed involved in the felony crime. So, for that reason, I would support the bill. Also, with a database of people who are suspects in one crime could possibly be used to help solve cold case crimes or other cases which have been unsolved in recent crimes. So, it could be a way of saving public resources in crime fighting and reducing the backlog of criminal cases in the courts. Also, it could also be used to prove that prisoners in prison already for convictions of crimes they did not commit could be released for false imprisonment.
I have no problem with using DNA to enhance law enforcement against real criminals, but I’m troubled by sweeping rights to collect DNA from people who have only been accused of a crime. I’d like to know more about the details and safeguards against misuse before I support this bill.
DNA should be collect after a person is found guilty. Not before.
A person is innocent until proven guilty. We need to adhere to our Constitutional Rights and quit given them away for the illusion of safety. Absolutely NOT until they are proven guilty by a jury of the peers.
We don’t believe that those arrested ought to be included in the data base, just those that have been convicted.
DNA has enabled individuals who were wrongly convicted of violent felonies. DNA enables police to eliminate suspects. Refusal to give a sample reflects guilt for some offense. Warrants should be used, not arrests.
This is like testifying against yourself. It is up to the state to prove guilt. We do not have to prove our innocence, as that is presumed. We must be very careful with matters such as this. In order for a DNA sample, the state must demonstrate to a judge, that there is a valid reason to presume you may be guilty.
I have serious issue collecting DNA in this matter. The DNA could be used to solve crimes but it also could be used for anything the government wanted to use it for. This bill really oversteps the fourth amendment…
4th Amendment
Take DNA from conflicted not suspected!
Innocent until PROVEN Guilty!
DNA is now being used to help mortuary services identify remains. This is no more violation of the 4th Amendment than fingerprinting. With Muslim terrorists giving false identity to anyone, dental records and DNA help us all know just who a person is or was.
Are you kidding me? This violation of due process and rights to privacy for citizens accused, not convicted, or tried for a crime would not stand in its very first contest in court and should not be considered. US Constitution was meant to protect civil liberties NOT make governments job easier at their expense.
The fourth amendment rights in America are being pushing the envelope more and more every day and I feel this is just an encroachment on what little freedom we have left.
Any encroachment on a person`s body without consent is a violation of the Fourth Amendment. When will the state of Georgia stand for the citizens rights over the will of the federal government to have a file on each person from basic information down to our DNA?
Absolutely “NO”. Innocent, until proven guilty. Simply based on suspicion, is not a very high bar. This position could easily be abused. Having such extremely personal information included in the database may seem benign now, but in the future DNA information will be more explicit and open to being used for nefarious purposes, especially in the hands of a tyrannical government. Being forced to supply it, simply on suspicion, is too much of a burden on a free citizenry. In ten not so distant future, it a DNA database may be used to identify genetic traits, sexual preferences, and a number of things, presently unforeseen. Can you imagine if Hitler and the Nazis had such information, to help them persecute segments of the population?
Need better controls on who has access to information.
No property, including bodily property (DNA) should be collected from a person accused, but not convicted, of a crime and only property involved in that crime should be considered for collection after conviction.
** This survey will remain open and results may be tallied again at a later date. **
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