Just Busted!
The Just Busted newspapers that sell for $1 may actually be outselling the local newspapers around the Midsouth. The newspaper has become exceedingly popular and is flying off the shelves.
Just Busted is a weekly publication that displays the mugshots of people in Memphis and Shelby County that have been recently arrested. It also lists the crime the person was arrested for. The crimes range from robbery to murder to driving with a suspended or revoked license. The newspaper also highlight sex offenders in specific areas of the Midsouth.
Personally I view the newspaper each and every week. I have seen quite a few people in it that I know (unfortunately). However I do take into consideration that the people who’s faces you see in the newspaper have been arrested but may have not yet been convicted of the crime listed below their name. Some may beat the case and will never be charged with the crime listed below their name in Just Busted. However, some others who read the newspaper are excited to see alleged criminals publicly shamed with their mugshots on public display. Many of these people feel that plastering their faces on a weekly newspaper will make some people who are considering crimes take a second thought before doing something that could land their face on the front of a newspaper. Memphis Police Director Larry Godwin feels the same way. In a statement to Action News 5, Godwin said;
The publication just might deter some criminals from re-offending. I like it. I think some embarrassment helps
Others, such as Attorney Jerry Summers of Chattanooga, TN believe differently. Summers told Action News 9 WTVC(Chattanooga) that he believes that the Just Busted paper infringes upon the accused person/s rights under the Sixth Amendment which entitles the accused to a fair trial.
The newspaper does say “innocent until proven guilty” on the front page, but for most consumers those words go unnoticed. That is except for those who are featured in the newspaper. I am pretty sure they feel that it is unfair that without permission or notice their mugshot is placed in a newspaper and sold to the public for thousands of people to view.
Posted on March 16, 2010, in Crime & Violence, News, Other Stuff, People & Places and tagged Arrests, Chattanooga, Courts, Crime, Criminals, Innocent until Proven Guilty, Jail, Just Busted, Larry Godwin, Law, Memphis Police, Memphis TN, MidSouth, murder, Newspapers, Police, Sex Offenders, Shelby County, Sixth Amendment. Bookmark the permalink. 23 Comments.
Black Girl Thinking
They should only be allowed to show people that have been convicted of a crime… Arrests should not count…
I think that it is not fair that they publish without peoples permission. Sometimes someone maybe falsely accused or any thing. Now if the person has been convicted that’s different altogether. driving while licenses suspended come on its a lot of people that have never had a license ever.
I saw this shit in my hometown last month when I was there! Unbelieveable!
I like the fact that they display the sex offenders, even though you can easily go online and view everyone listed in your zip code. But placing ppl in there who got pulled over and their license was suspended is ridiculous. I never understood why they list those people. And if it is true that ppl are displayed in there who have only been arrested or processed and have not been charged that is unfair. I have never been on the wrong side of the law but I wouldn’t be pleased if I got arrested BUT not charged and my face showed up in a newspaper with a crime below it that I hadn’t been charged with.
Having survived the traffic in Memphis (so far) for a long time now, I am encouraged that people are being called out for not having licenses. I understand that it is sometimes necessary for people to drive without one for work or kids and the like, but I hope that fact encourages people to think about their actions. Driving is something that is almost a requirement to survive in this day and age. If more people would understand that by acting a fool behind the wheel, they could lose that right, perhaps folk around here would hang up the phone (or at least buy a $10 hands-free) stop reading, texting, even watching movies while doing 75 MPH.
Unless it’s illegal, I like it. There should be as many deterrents to crime as possible. They’ll still get their day in court. And LOL @ the white dude with the mohawk… looking like Chuck Liddell in 20 years.
They should only be allowed to show people that have been convicted of a crime… Arrests should not count…
@athony
I agree with Anthony. Sometimes, people get arrested for bullshit..although, some folks get falsely accused, also. That’s a whole other blog, tho. HEHE.
I think the paper is Great
I would like to know why people from Meigs County Tn is not listed in Just Busted?
I am willing to bet a paycheck that about 99% of all arrests are justified and maybe 1% are innocent/falsely accused…I think the paper is a good thing…
I was wondering if I could possibly aquire a past issue of “Just Busted” for the Chatt., Cleveland ares. I have the Aug. 31 issue, but I missed the one before it, what becomes of the old ones when a new one is introduced?
One thing I have not read here amongst all the “Yeah and Nay sayers” posting here. Any and all of the information listed in JUST BUSTED is a matter of PUBLIC RECORD…Meaning each and every one of us are permitted by law to go and see this at your local court house. JUST BUSTED is only doing the legwork for the community and being compensated $1 per copy in exchange.
There is nothing illegal about providing a legitimate service to our community.
The people listed as stated are innocent until proven guilty and will have their day in court. As I have read in another thread it’s not suprising that a noted local criminal defense attorney would have a problem with listings of public records to the public.
Not to mention each and every arrest whether guilty or not involves all of us. It is our tax dollars that pay ;officers,housing,legal defense to the indegent,food,court salaries…the list goes on and on. Each of us have a vested interest in each and every tax dollar we cough up out of our paychecks every week.
And yes I have been to jail before in Cleveland and guess what??? Back then the local radio stations reported your name and crime over the air waves to all listening. Embarassing to me”YES”. Did it prevent me from getting a FAIR trial “NO”.So this is not a new concept by reporting public records to the public. Just age old things, being done in new found way’s and personally I love it.
Thanks Scott for stopping by and commenting
I agree that its not like the information provided by the Just Busted paper is confidential info that the public can’t find out via searching the Court websites or physically going to view the records…even though most ppl wont take the time to do either of those things. Just Busted makes it so much easier for ppl to know the crimes committed and by who.
MEIGS COUNTY IS LISTED IN THIS PAPER !!!
this paper ian’t shit but these punk ass white motherfuckers making us blacks look bad. they got more blacks on the front cover of this paper than any other color. but thats okay, we plottin and ganging up on yall racists. yall talk all that shit but can’t fight worth of shit. we gone kill all you white mutherfuckas. this is a threat. blond hair blue eyed devil.
I THINK THIS SHOULD NOT BE ALOUD, IT IS UNCALLED FOR, PEOPLE IN THIS PAPER IS NOT GUILTY ALL THE TIME, THEY SHOULD ONLY PUBLISH THE ONES THAT HAS BEEN CONVICTED NOT ARRESTED. ARRESTS SHOULD BE MADE PRIVATE BECAUSE THERE IS ALOT OF INNOCIENT PEOPLE OUT THERE.
Typical response. You wonder why so many are on the front…
Its great i love it
BlackGirl:
Not having control over your mind and body is not cool. Crime and criminals are examples of people who lack basic common sense and wisdom. Being locked-up in the backseat of a police cruiser has never been kosher with me, Never! Of course, a lot of us laugh at the mugshots of others, but, their shame is not a laughing matter. Crime has real-life consequences that affect many people. Plastering mugshots on the cover of a billboard, website, and magazine are not gonna stop people from doing the wrong thing.
Tyrone
Pingback: LANTA To Suspend Service; BARTA Still Running – News Story – WFMZ … | Warren County NY Real Estate
Pingback: 2010 in review | Black Girl Thinking
Pingback: The Black Girl Thinking Blog-2011 in review « Black Girl Thinking