Law enforcement leaders call for mandatory minimum sentences in Georgia - Yahoo News

Top law enforcement officials in Georgia are calling for mandatory minimum sentences for offenders to reduce rising crime in the state.

Georgia Sheriffs' Association Executive Director Terry Norris told the Senate Public Safety Committee that a solid justice system with harsher sentencing for violent crimes could deter criminals.

"We're all in favor of giving people a second chance, but not a third, fourth and fifth, particularly when those people are injuring or harming and victimizing other people," Norris said during a committee meeting Wednesday. "So, I say certainty in sentencing."

Reports show an increase in crime across the state this year. Crime in Atlanta doubled in the spring, according to reports. Gov. Brian Kemp has thrown money at the issue, and legislative leaders have called for funding to combat crime. The committee met Wednesday to discuss the trends and solutions.

Kemp directed $7 million from his emergency fund to support a crime suppression unit created to address crime in Atlanta. House Speaker David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, announced a $75 million proposal for additional personnel and resources for law enforcement and mental health services. Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan also has proposed giving Georgians tax credits for donating to their local law enforcement agency.

Law enforcement leaders said Wednesday restoring the state's backlogged judicial system, employing more prosecutors and increasing the penalties for recidivism could help stanch the issue.

Mandatory minimum sentencing laws force a judge to issue the longest prison sentence based on a prosecutor's charges against a defendant.

Georgia's truth-in-sentencing laws have set mandatory minimum sentences for a selection of charges. Although lawmakers have passed some reforms, the laws are considered to be among the most severe in the nation. Georgia's prison systems have ranked among the 10 most overcrowded in the nation. Critics point to the tremendous expense of warehousing so many people, as well as the threat to society represented by prison conditions.

source: https://news.yahoo.com/law-enforcement-leaders-call-mandatory-180000862.html

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