By Anna Liz Nichols
Associated Press/Report for America
LANSING(AP) — Legislation that allows for alternatives to jail and aims to limit recidivism in Michigan were among the dozens of new laws Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed this week.
Among the measures were 20 based on the recommendations of the Michigan Joint Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration formed in 2019. The task force heard testimony from hundreds of people and reviewed 10 years of statewide arrest and court data after the state’s incarcerated population nearly tripled over four decades.
The “Smart Justice” package eliminates mandatory minimum sentences in certain cases such as a person's first time failing to appear in court. Law enforcement also will be allowed to use discretion to issue a citation and release a suspect from custody for most misdemeanors.
Bill sponsor Sen. Sylvia Santana has been vocal about the changes saying the state can stop wasting funds and resources when there are better alternatives.
“The bills signed into law by the governor today marks the culmination of 18 months of bipartisan work and while I believe we will see safer communities and less recidivism as a result of these reforms, there is still much work ahead,” the Detroit Democrat said in a news release. “We need to continue our commitment to making necessary changes so that families who have lost a loved one to a system that overly, and inconsistently, prosecutes people of color and the poor can get the justice they deserve.”
- Posted January 08, 2021
- Tweet This | Share on Facebook
Governor signs legislatiaon to limit incarcerations
headlines Macomb
- Bodman attorney displays passion for tax law
- Children Trust Michigan raises awareness of Child Abuse Prevention Month
- Law school’s team wins William and Mary Colonial Cup Competition
- Chief Justice Roberts, Attorney General Garland, author John Grisham join legal aid leaders to mark 50th anniversary of LSC
- Macomb County Board of Commissioners Announces commissioner vacancy
headlines National
- Incarceration series includes female inmates but doesn’t tell full story
- ACLU and BigLaw firm use ‘Orange is the New Black’ in hashtag effort to promote NY jail reform
- Former DOJ official who alleged election fraud violated at least one ethics rule, ethics committee says
- Winston & Strawn will provide reduced-cost legal services for routine tasks under Winston Legal Solutions umbrella
- Should Justice Sotomayor retire? Chemerinsky, White House haven’t joined calls for her to step down
- Which BigLaw firms are increasing lateral associate hiring the most? One made legal headlines last year