Why America’s obsession with a suspect’s rap sheet misses the point

Politicians and commentators use criminal histories to argue for increased policing - but they are ignoring key conclusions, says law professor John Pfaff

After six people were shot and killed outside a bar in Sacramento, California, earlier this month, stories about the victims and their grieving families initially filled local news.

Soon followed reports about two brothers who were arrested in connection with the early morning shootout, with journalists and commentators delving into the brothers' histories. Both men had several prior convictions, and the coverage of their rap sheets was swiftly seized upon by midterm election hopefuls and conservative commentators to argue for harsher punishments and increased policing.