Markell signs bill modifying mandatory sentencing
Mandatory sentencing was a horrible idea, so this is most welcome. What I think is shows though, is that the biggest differences between Democrats and Republicans is that Democrats can be swayed by evidence and change their minds.
WILMINGTON — Gov. Jack Markell signed into law Tuesday a bill eliminating some mandatory life punishments and giving judges more freedom in sentencing non-violent offenders.
The law, which changes the state’s “three strikes” statute, removes drug crimes from the list of violent felonies and ends mandatory life in prison for multi-offense felons. Sponsored by Sen. Karen Peterson, D-Stanton, Senate Bill 163 passed the General Assembly this year with some limited bipartisan support.
“The trend of stiffer mandatory sentences for an increasing number of crimes hasn’t worked,” Gov. Markell, a Democrat, said in a statement. Delaware State News
It’s worth noting that several Republicans voted for the bill. They deserve credit, especially since it is a politically harder vote for them to take.
I’d suggest taking a second look at this bill before celebrating it. The bill merely lowers the 3-strike mandatory minimums- it does not eliminate them. Meanwhile it more than triples the list of offenses that count as strikes. So unfortunately, the bill will actually result in more defendants getting hit with big mandatory minimums.