Good afternoon, Ms. Shanmuganathan.
I was very interested listening to what you had to say. You just said that the problem with mandatory minimum sentences is that racialized individuals are less likely to be able to afford a lawyer to defend themselves, so they may decide to plead guilty for financial reasons. That means they end up serving prison sentences they may not have received otherwise.
Am I to understand that the real problem these individuals face is funding for legal services?
Are you saying that these people shouldn't be sent to prison because they're less fortunate? If someone can afford a lawyer, they may be able to avoid incarceration.
Is that what you're saying?