The ACLU filed suit last year to challenge California’s policy of collecting a saliva swab from anyone arrested for a felony. Law enforcement can add the DNA to a database, even if the accused is never charged or convicted. The ACLU argues that’s an unreasonable search. Yesterday on AirTalk, state Attorney General Jerry Brown defended the program, which helped build a case against Lonnie David Franklin, Jr., the alleged “Grim Sleeper” serial killer, using his son’s DNA. How will the 9th Circuit rule on the issue? And should people who are not charged or convicted have their DNA removed from the state database?
Guests:
Michael Risher, staff attorney, ACLU Northern California challenging Prop. 69
Michael Chamberlain, Deputy Attorney General for California’s Department of Justice