IDS 1: Sentancing Reform Act of 2014 (Signed)

[Mad Deadly Worldwide Communist Gangster Computer God]

Then-Emperor PiT and the Legislature worked pretty hard to get a decent bill on this passed.  I'm going to need some persuading on why it shouldn't remain law.

[Mad Deadly Worldwide Communist Gangster Computer God]

This might be a good chance to ask what you guys think of Norway's sentencing laws.  It's quite different from our system in that it sets 21 years for the maximum penalty with renewal every 5 years.  People who absolutely cannot be reformed would effectively serve for life, but absent cases of domestic terrorism, that would be uncommon.  It would obviously be difficult to predict the effectiveness of a law like that in our region, because Norway is quite different from the IDS in many ways, but it's something that should be on the table.

[Mad Deadly Worldwide Communist Gangster Computer God]

Bump...

[Mad Deadly Worldwide Communist Gangster Computer God]

What crimes that are eligible for life imprisonment do you feel should not be?

[Mad Deadly Worldwide Communist Gangster Computer God]

Basically anything but Murder, but I'd be willing to negotiate the rest of you.

You don't think that rape or continued child molestation warrant life?  I'm pretty sure those two and murder are the only things that can get you life, the latter only being so if it's persistent - which is a stretch.

[Mad Deadly Worldwide Communist Gangster Computer God]

Maxwell, would you support an amendment I'd propose to repeal the Three Strikes Bill and implement a Norwegian-style sentencing law?

[Mad Deadly Worldwide Communist Gangster Computer God]

I'd be open to that, cause it sounds interesting, provided that there are limits to how long one can be sentenced under the system. There is a line between rehabilitation and punishment we must follow.

I believe the way the system works is having a maximum prison term of 20 years, which can be extended indefinitely in 5-year increments so long as the offender is determined to still be a threat to society.

21 years.  But yes, that's how it works.  However, I'm not sure whether this should be the rule in all cases.  People like Anders Breivik, for example, are unlikely to ever get out of prison due to the magnitude of their crimes but there is still a window of possibility.  On the other hand, there will be errors in this new system just as there are in all others, but I do not want any changes to our law to serve as a signal for criminals or would-be criminals that we're taking a more lenient approach to crime.  I also believe that acts of domestic terrorism should be subject to far higher penalties than those of murder or rape by default.

Then again, the United States traditionally prosecutes those accused of domestic terrorism in federal court regardless of where they're committed; such is why the perpetrator of the Boston Bombings is eligible for the death penalty even though the state of Massachusetts outlawed it.  So, if the crime is severe enough, Atlasia's AG could offer to take the case to federal court.

I'm kind of just thinking out loud here.  I'll propose the amendment this evening if no one has any other thoughts.

[Mad Deadly Worldwide Communist Gangster Computer God]

Sorry, I completely forgot about this.  This is a good amendment to work with.

[Mad Deadly Worldwide Communist Gangster Computer God]

The courts would be in charge of reviewing each case and extending sentences, I would assume.

[Mad Deadly Worldwide Communist Gangster Computer God]

Amendment:

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[Mad Deadly Worldwide Communist Gangster Computer God]

Since Maxwell is on LOA, is it fair to say this bill is in limbo?

[Mad Deadly Worldwide Communist Gangster Computer God]

I call for a vote and I urge this body to pass the current text.

[Mad Deadly Worldwide Communist Gangster Computer God]

     Do we suppose the courts could handle the amount of additional work this would create for them? Nobody seems to have commented on the potential this has to create Japan-level judicial gridlock.

Courts deal with appeals all the time, not to mention from those who clog the courts with frivolous cases, which could in fact go down if the prisoners are given tighter sentences but set times to make their appeals.

I'm not going to discount your concerns because they are valid and it's difficult to compare our situation to that of Norway's, but I'd prefer we give this system a try.  Don't forget that liberalized drug policies free up court time, as well, so I wouldn't worry too much.

[Mad Deadly Worldwide Communist Gangster Computer God]

Could you be more specific, PiT?  I plan on signing this bill after the vote is called, but I can submit a fix-it bill or sign an executive order clarifying the process.

[Mad Deadly Worldwide Communist Gangster Computer God]

This bill has been signed.  I acknowledged concerns with the new law in my signing statement.