Key Criminal Justice Bills Working Their Way Through the Legislature

Key Criminal Justice Bills Working Their Way Through the Legislature [Michigan Capitol Confidential]:

"In 2003, Michigan made national headlines by passing several dramatic criminal justice reforms, including repealing mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenses.
Thirteen years later, three significant measures are before the current Legislature, and they have re-ignited the debate about corrections practices.
The Michigan House passed bills relating to juvenile sentencing, the parole of prisoners and the power of judges.
The bills have been pending before Senate committees for months.

• Juvenile Sentencing

The juvenile justice package (House Bill 4947 et seq) would raise the age of criminal responsibility to 18, meaning that 17-year-olds, the current minimum age for trying someone as an adult, would no longer be automatically tried, sentenced and housed as adults.
Although prosecutors would still be able to charge them as adults in cases of serious crimes, such as rape or armed robbery, most 17-year-olds would have their cases adjudicated in the juvenile system..."
Politics continues.
Keep informed!