Kamala Harris: A Career of Controversial Yet Groundbreaking Criminal Justice Reforms

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, endorsed by Joe Biden for the Democratic presidential ticket, has a mixed record as a California prosecutor. She took reformist stances in some areas but faced criticism for others. Her approach, termed 'smart on crime,' emphasized both accountability and fairness.

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, whom President Joe Biden has backed to succeed him on the Democratic presidential ticket, began her career as a California prosecutor known for blending criminal justice reforms with a strict stance on certain crimes.

During her tenure as San Francisco's district attorney and later as California's attorney general, Harris took positions that earned praise from progressives, including opposing the death penalty and taking a hard line on big banks over home foreclosure abuses. However, she also faced criticism for decisions such as prosecuting parents of truant children and rejecting DNA testing for a Black man on death row claiming wrongful conviction.

These mixed positions are likely to be leveraged by Republican nominee Donald Trump to accuse her of being lenient on crime. Harris describes her approach as 'smart on crime,' balancing the need to prevent crime and protect defendants' rights while curbing excesses. 'My vision of a progressive prosecutor was someone who used the power of the office with fairness and perspective,' Harris stated in her 2019 memoir.

(With inputs from agencies.)