The Political Dynamics of Justice Reform in The U.S.
The Political Dynamics of Justice Reform in The U.S.
The Political Dynamics of Justice Reform in The U.S.
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
Mississippi<br />
House Bill 812 was signed by the governor to regulate civil forfeiture report<strong>in</strong>g made<br />
easier for departments <strong>in</strong> the state.<br />
Missouri<br />
Missouri also amended their law def<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g the vot<strong>in</strong>g requirements for <strong>of</strong>fenders <strong>in</strong> the<br />
state. <strong>The</strong> governor also held up the “ban the box” policy.<br />
Montana<br />
In October 2017, Montana signed <strong>in</strong>to law House Bill 133. This bill reforms the system<br />
by reform<strong>in</strong>g sentenc<strong>in</strong>g for a wide range <strong>of</strong> first-time misdemeanors or by elim<strong>in</strong>at<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>in</strong>carceration time. It also got rid <strong>of</strong> mandatory m<strong>in</strong>imum sentences for felony drug<br />
<strong>of</strong>fenses but revised the mandatory m<strong>in</strong>imum statutes for felony sex crimes.<br />
Nebraska<br />
Nebraska passed three bills reform<strong>in</strong>g the crim<strong>in</strong>al justice system. Legislative Bill 172<br />
which was directed towards sentenc<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> midlevel felon charges by reduc<strong>in</strong>g or gett<strong>in</strong>g<br />
id <strong>of</strong> the mandatory m<strong>in</strong>imum sentences. LB 173 was directed towards the “threestrikes”<br />
law by reduc<strong>in</strong>g the requirements to only violent crimes. Lastly, LB 483 which<br />
would reenact a rule from the 1980s. This is the “one third” rule that forces judges to<br />
sentence m<strong>in</strong>imum sentences that are a third <strong>of</strong> the maximum sentence.<br />
Nevada<br />
Nevada has reformed the policy for vot<strong>in</strong>g by allow<strong>in</strong>g convicted felons to vote <strong>in</strong><br />
Assembly Bill 181. <strong>The</strong>y have reformed the amount <strong>of</strong> time to file for a petition to seal<br />
conviction records <strong>in</strong> Senate Bill 125 and allow<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong>fenders who are <strong>in</strong>carcerated to<br />
speak with their families to f<strong>in</strong>d a job for when they reenter society <strong>in</strong> Senate Bill 420.<br />
New Hampshire<br />
Most recently <strong>in</strong> New Hampshire, they have decrim<strong>in</strong>alized a small amount <strong>of</strong> marijuana<br />
with House Bill 640. Senate Bill 200 reduces the likel<strong>in</strong>ess that you will have served jail<br />
time for not be<strong>in</strong>g able to afford a f<strong>in</strong>e and its fees.<br />
New Jersey<br />
New Jersey passed a bill reform<strong>in</strong>g the treatment <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>fenders while they are<br />
<strong>in</strong>carcerated by only allow<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong>fenders to be housed <strong>in</strong> solitary conf<strong>in</strong>ement for less<br />
than 15 consecutive days at a time. S51 also prohibits solitary conf<strong>in</strong>ement for those<br />
with disabilities, mental illnesses, and the LGBTQ community. If an <strong>of</strong>fender is housed<br />
Page 40 <strong>of</strong> 262
Change language