Arkansas governor signs criminal justice, fentanyl bills into law
by Jack A. WebbTue, April 11th 2023, 1:30 PM EDT
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed two bills into law Tuesday, April 11 that aim at reforming the state's criminal justice system and cracking down on drug dealers.
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed two bills into law Tuesday, April 11 that aim at reforming the state's criminal justice system and cracking down on drug dealers. (Photo KATV) Facebook Share Icon Twitter Share Icon Email Share Icon LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed two bills into law Tuesday that aim at reforming the state's criminal justice system and cracking down on drug dealers. The criminal justice legislation, named "Safer, Stronger Arkansas," ends parole eligibility for people convicted of certain violent crimes and grants nearly half a billion dollars for more prison space. The law requires anyone sentenced beginning in 2024 for any of 18 violent offenses — including capital murder, first-degree murder and rape — to serve 100% of their sentence. Starting in 2025, the bill also requires prisoners to serve at least 85% of a sentence for a list of other offenses, such as second-degree murder. Offenders convicted of other crimes would be required to serve 25% or 50% of their sentences, but the table spelling out which crimes fall under those minimums will be developed later. The changes won’t apply to people who had already been sentenced before the law takes effect. Parents charged with baby daughter's death in high-heat for 26 hours without food, water The package also includes $20 million to recruit, train, and retain correctional officers.
It creates a new school for state troopers and allocates $5 million in overtime pay for police. "We can and we must do everything that is within our power to protect the people of our state," Sanders said at the bill signing from the headquarters of the Arkansas State Police. "That's a big part of what we're doing today - and with this group behind me and those other members in our Legislature - we will not rest until we see that come to completion." Opponents of the legislation said it’s only going to exacerbate problems for a state that already has one of the highest incarceration rates in the country.
Sanders also signed the "Death by Delivery" bill which focuses on drug dealers and charges them with murder if they deliver drugs that cause an overdose. Drug dealers also face a life in prison if they traffic drugs with fentanyl to children. Violators can receive no less than 25 years and up to life in prison for distributing the deadly drug - including for those that package fentanyl in packaging that is enticing for minors. In the bill, the Arkansas General Assembly declares illegal substances a public health crisis.
https://katv.com/news/local/watch-l...-capital-murder-rape-house-senate-legislature
by Jack A. WebbTue, April 11th 2023, 1:30 PM EDT
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed two bills into law Tuesday, April 11 that aim at reforming the state's criminal justice system and cracking down on drug dealers.
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed two bills into law Tuesday, April 11 that aim at reforming the state's criminal justice system and cracking down on drug dealers. (Photo KATV) Facebook Share Icon Twitter Share Icon Email Share Icon LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed two bills into law Tuesday that aim at reforming the state's criminal justice system and cracking down on drug dealers. The criminal justice legislation, named "Safer, Stronger Arkansas," ends parole eligibility for people convicted of certain violent crimes and grants nearly half a billion dollars for more prison space. The law requires anyone sentenced beginning in 2024 for any of 18 violent offenses — including capital murder, first-degree murder and rape — to serve 100% of their sentence. Starting in 2025, the bill also requires prisoners to serve at least 85% of a sentence for a list of other offenses, such as second-degree murder. Offenders convicted of other crimes would be required to serve 25% or 50% of their sentences, but the table spelling out which crimes fall under those minimums will be developed later. The changes won’t apply to people who had already been sentenced before the law takes effect. Parents charged with baby daughter's death in high-heat for 26 hours without food, water The package also includes $20 million to recruit, train, and retain correctional officers.
It creates a new school for state troopers and allocates $5 million in overtime pay for police. "We can and we must do everything that is within our power to protect the people of our state," Sanders said at the bill signing from the headquarters of the Arkansas State Police. "That's a big part of what we're doing today - and with this group behind me and those other members in our Legislature - we will not rest until we see that come to completion." Opponents of the legislation said it’s only going to exacerbate problems for a state that already has one of the highest incarceration rates in the country.
Sanders also signed the "Death by Delivery" bill which focuses on drug dealers and charges them with murder if they deliver drugs that cause an overdose. Drug dealers also face a life in prison if they traffic drugs with fentanyl to children. Violators can receive no less than 25 years and up to life in prison for distributing the deadly drug - including for those that package fentanyl in packaging that is enticing for minors. In the bill, the Arkansas General Assembly declares illegal substances a public health crisis.
https://katv.com/news/local/watch-l...-capital-murder-rape-house-senate-legislature
