spit and acquit
n.— «Defendants charged with low-level drug offenses under existing statutes can have their charges dismissed if they participate in drug treatment programs or undergo court supervision. But under the district attorney’s program, felony drug defendants can go free after arraignment if they agree to provide a DNA sample, without completing any drug treatment or supervision. Some judges and defense attorneys worry that the program—dubbed “spit and acquit” by its critics—could lead to abuses of power, undermine the privacy rights of defendants and affect public safety.» —“SoCal DA’s program trades freedom for DNA” in Santa Ana, California Associated Press Apr. 15, 2009. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
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