24 July 2013

This Is a Good Idea

From the Anchorage Daily News:

State prosecutors will no longer negotiate plea deals for lesser sentences for Alaskans accused of serious crimes and domestic violence, the Alaska Department of Law said Tuesday.

The change of policy, which took effect Tuesday, bars plea bargains involving sentences for the most serious classes of felony cases, as well as all cases involving sexual assault, sexual abuse of a minor and domestic violence, said deputy attorney general Richard Svobodny.

I thoroughly endorse this move on the State's part. Despite the high rate of recidivism, most perpetrators of the crimes described above are back on the streets quickly after a conviction. There, they're free to do it all over again, obviously not fearing another slap on the wrist.

"No more plea bargains" means those convicted will fact stiffer sentences - and that's a Very Good Thing.

6 comments:

Well Seasoned Fool said...

I take exception to the domestic violence crime which is rarely investigated thoroughly. Too often it is a he said, she said, and neither is telling the truth.

That being said, not my state.

Rev. Paul said...

I see your point, WSF, and recognize the potential for error. But it's a start.

Anonymous said...

Unintended consequences. I can see something along these lines backfiring. "zero tolerance" in anything/everything is not a good idea.

Convictions for statistics comes to mind ...

I don't disagree about quick turnarounds but ``better a guilty man go free than an innocent man go to prison``

Q

Rev. Paul said...

Q, that's possible too. I don't see them offering to change the existing penalty structure, though. The idea is simply to eliminate plea bargains.

But sure, anything can backfire.

Old NFO said...

Bout damn time, now of the OTHER states would do the same...

Rev. Paul said...

Agreed, NFO. If they knew they'd get years instead of months, it might temper their behavior. At least a guilty verdict would get them off the streets.