This outrageous court sign-in sheet is going viral fast
When one shows up to court, say to provide witness testimony, they must sign-in. One form in the San Francisco Superior Court, however, looked different than most.
On Monday, defendants were listed on the sign in sheet as "bad guys" when showing up to court -- which incites a certain connotation about the people on trial.
Source: San Francisco Public Defender's Office
Public Defender Jeff Adachi does not take this label lightly. "One of the fundamental precepts of our criminal justice system is the presumption of innocence," he said.
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He continued, "You don't refer to people as the 'bad guy.' It creates a bias against the person that is accused. That person's guilt or innocence has not been determined. This sort of practice destroys the credibility of a system that is supposed to be fair."
The list is believed to have originated in the court's District Attorney Office. Alex Bastian, spokesperson for the office, said that they did not know who wrote the sheet but found it concerning. "We do not know who created this sign in sheet, as typically our sign in sheets are typewritten," he revealed.
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The note circulated around the courthouse and was signed by both police officers and civilians, who were there to act as witnesses. They signed next to the name of the "bad guy" -- defendant -- whose case they came to testify for.
Deputy Public Defender Ilona Solomon noticed the list next to a court clerk; the clerk took a photo of the list before destroying it. "I was just appalled," Solomon said.
As of Tuesday, the identity of the sheet's creator is still unknown.
