Ex-congressman proposes bill granting judges power to reduce felon sentences
OAN’s James Meyers
1:55 PM – Tuesday, December 26, 2023
A Washington state lawmaker who is also an ex-convict is advocating for a new law that would give judges the power to reduce the sentences of violent offenders.
The Judicial Discretion Act, which has been pre-filed for the next session of the Washington legislature, is being championed by Democrat state Representative Tarra Simmons.
Simmons, a former convicted felon, stated that the bill would “authorize sentencing courts to review lengthy sentences upon a showing that a person’s original sentence no longer serves the interests of justice.”
The state lawmaker has a history of advocating for voting rights for felons and reducing penalties for drive-by shootings, attributing these efforts to a lack of “racial equity.”
Despite the alarming crime and homicide rates in Washington, “The legislature finds that long-term incarceration disproportionately impacts poor communities and communities of color. The legislature further finds that an expansive body of research demonstrates that lengthy sentences can increase, rather than reduce, recidivism.”
“The legislature further finds that the potential to reduce a sentence encourages incarcerated individuals to engage in good behavior and to take advantage of rehabilitative programming. The legislature further finds that because the cost of long-term incarceration is substantial and the state must use its resources responsibly, providing judges the opportunity to modify lengthy sentences in the interests of justice will result in significant cost savings to the state.”
In addition, the bill allows a judge to modify a criminal’s “original sentence if the court finds that the sentence no longer advances the interests of justice, provided that any new sentence imposed shall not be greater than the original sentence.”
For victims affected by the crime, Simmons assures that they have the option to “present a statement personally or by representation at the hearing” of a convict whose sentence is under review.
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What is the purpose of the Judicial Discretion Act advocated by Washington state lawmaker Tarra Simmons?
Washington State Lawmaker Advocates for New Law to Reduce Sentences for Violent Offenders
(Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
OAN’s James Meyers
1:55 PM – Tuesday, December 26, 2023
A Washington state lawmaker who is also an ex-convict is advocating for a new law that would give judges the power to reduce the sentences of violent offenders.
The Judicial Discretion Act, which has been pre-filed for the next session of the Washington legislature, is being championed by Democrat state Representative Tarra Simmons.
Simmons, a former convicted felon, stated that the bill would “authorize sentencing courts to review lengthy sentences upon a showing that a person’s original sentence no longer serves the interests of justice.”
The state lawmaker has a history of advocating for voting rights for felons and reducing penalties for drive-by shootings, attributing these efforts to a lack of “racial equity.”
Despite the alarming crime and homicide rates in Washington, “The legislature finds that long-term incarceration disproportionately impacts poor communities and communities of color. The legislature further finds that an expansive body of research demonstrates that lengthy sentences can increase, rather than reduce, recidivism.”
“The legislature further finds that the potential to reduce a sentence encourages incarcerated individuals to engage in good behavior and to take advantage of rehabilitative programming. The legislature further finds that because the cost of long-term incarceration is substantial and the state must use its resources responsibly, providing judges the opportunity to modify lengthy sentences in the interests of justice will result in significant cost savings to the state.”
In addition, the bill allows a judge to modify a criminal’s “original sentence if the court finds that the sentence no longer advances the interests of justice, provided that any new sentence imposed shall not be greater than the original sentence.”
For victims affected by the crime, Simmons assures that they have the option to “present a statement personally or by representation at the hearing” of a convict whose sentence is under review.
It only took 10 years after prison. I did 22 years on the installment plan of the complex web of juv. system, foster care, jail and prison. Now I’m a mother, lawyer, and 1st formerly incarcerated State Rep. Quit throwing away my people! Still celebrating freedom 10 years later.
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