California’s DNA Database to Include Lesser Charges

The Wall Street Journal reported last week that it appears California is expanding its DNA program to include samples taken from those charged with lesser crimes.

People who are convicted of major crimes like murder or rape are required to give a DNA sample. These samples are put into a DNA database, which can be accessed in the future and can help solve crimes. In Orange County, California, however, officials are expanding the program and taking DNA samples from people charged with minor crimes, like shoplifting or drug possession.

In California, over 1.4 million samples have been collected since the program began back in 2007. The Orange County database also has around 20,000 samples from people whose minor charges were let go in exchange for a DNA sample.

So far, this practice is voluntary and is done in exchange for dismissal of the case, or as part of a plea deal. It also raises some questions about civil-rights.

If I was visiting California and happened to get busted for having an ounce or more of marijuana, I could face serious fines and even jail time per California marijuana law. However, if law enforcement offered me a deal where I could avoid jail time, pay a small fee, and give a DNA sample to avoid it going on my record, then hell yeah I’d take it. But do I really want the government to have my DNA?

There has been much debate on whether law enforcement should be allowed to take DNA samples from people who are arrested but not convicted of these crimes. This program doesn’t look like it will slow down either. The district attorney’s office in Orange County runs five different DNA sample collection stations that take 10-15 samples a day. These samples are sent to a private lab in Virginia which takes 30 days to process.

I don’t really have a problem with taking samples from people charged with violent crimes. What is worrisome is how the threshold is being lowered. If it’s like this now, what will it be like in five years? Will I have to give up my DNA for getting a parking ticket?