>>Why should his previous convictions not be used in court? I would think that they are very important. Our justice system has some very obvious flaws.
>>
>>http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/3218206/
>
>There isn't enough detail in that news report to tell at what stage was the evidence used. IANAL, but as Alan points out, it seems fair to me that prior convictions shouldn't be used during the trial; prosecutors should prove you did THIS crime, not that you might have because you've done it before. However, and I believe this is the case, prior convictions should be used during sentencing (ie. once you've been found guilty), since the punishment should go up when you continue to break the same laws.
>
>Doug

Doug, you need to come have a talk with our judges and the local DA. They don't hold past crimes against people. I'm doing a radio spot today at 4:30 CST called "Thug of the Week". We highlight people who have been arrested 100 times or more. I've got 140 people to choose from, and many of them get rearrested over and over. Today's Thug has been arrested117 times, 9 times this year. So, do hurry down here and give these folks a briefing.