Tennessee Gov. Proposes Crime Package
Governor Bill Haslam unveiled a crime package this week with a ticket of $6 million. He said the cost will be included in the budget sent to the legislature this month. Much of the cost is attributed to increased incarceration costs of his plan, though the package recommends several changes.
Among the changes recommended by Haslam is a proposal for all second-time domestic violence offenders to serve mandatory jail time of at least 45 days. The mandatory sentence would be 120 days for third and subsequent offenses. This, he says, is important because current law presumes probation unless a prosecutor can show need for jail time, and because the majority of domestic violence offenders are repeat offenders. The proposal attempts to put some teeth in the criminal penalties for domestic violence offenses.
Also, he is recommending tougher penalties for gun related gang crimes. In addition, those who are charged with gun possession who have a prior violent felony convictions would face increased sanctions.
The Governor is also hoping that lawmakers will support his desire to have all doctors and pharmacists to check a prescription drug database before issuing and dispensing of addictive prescription pain medications. This would stop such medical professionals from dispensing drugs if the patient was already receiving them from other practitioners.
According to the Memphis Commercial Appeal, the package also suggests diverting more nonviolent drug offenders into drug court and treatment programs rather than prison time. This is definitely a positive move, as such programs have been shown to reduce recidivism more than costly incarceration.
Drug courts use a combination of professionals within the criminal justice system to help drug offenders get the help they need. They aren’t a simple system and require sometimes weekly check-ins with a judge, but are far more preferable to jail time for everyone involved.
The Governor would also like to create a statewide meth-lab cleanup program and move supervision of parolees and probationers from the Board of Probation and Parole to the Department of Correction, allowing the board to focus solely on who deserves parole.
Political figures often release crime packages like this one when changes are needed, but also when they feel as if they need to show the public that “something” is being done about crime and criminal justice matters in the state. Though the price tag may be a turn-off, especially in this trying fiscal time, the package will likely experience success among lawmakers because it balances tough-on-crime measures with rehabilitative measures.
When you are facing criminal charges, it can be hard enough to understand the laws when they aren’t in a constant state of change. If you are accused of committing a criminal offense and need help in deciphering what these charges could mean for you, contact our offices today to discuss your case.
