NJ Bill Introduced to Collect DNA Samples for Minor Crimes: Charles Hack of The New Jersey Journal reports New Jersey Senator Nicholas Sacco (D-North Bergen) introduced legislation this week to collect DNA samples from those convicted of disorderly persons offenses. He said the goal of the bill is to reduce the number of unsolved crimes. New Jersey's current state DNA law requires DNA samples from anyone convicted of a first- to fourth-degree crime. Disorderly persons offenses include shoplifting goods under
$200, criminal mischief, defiant trespass, simple assault, disorderly
conduct, and prostitution. The bill has been referred to the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.
Oklahoma Citizens to Vote on Removing Governor from Nonviolent Parole Process: The Edmund Sun (OK) reports the Oklahoma Senate on Monday approved Senate Joint Resolution 25, which will put on the November ballot an option for voters to take the governor out of the parole and pardon process for nonviolent offenses. The resolution only had to be approved by both chambers of the legislature, and does not have to be considered or approved by the governor, to go on the ballot. SJR 25 would amend the state Constitution and give the board total power to decide parole requests for nonviolent offenders. The governor would still review parole requests for violent crimes. "No other governor in the country is involved in their state's pardon and parole process for nonviolent offenses," said Oklahoma Senator Josh Brecheen, one of the author's of the resolution. "We're the last state in America to task our governor with this responsibility."
Connecticut Legislative Committee Approves Death Penalty Repeal: Ken Dixon of Greenwich Time reports Connecticut's Judiciary Committee on Wednesday approved a bill that would repeal the state's death penalty and replace it with life in prison without the possibility of parole. Although the bill only applies to future crimes, many predict that if passed, those currently on death row would have grounds for appeal. The bill now goes to the Senate.
Oklahoma Citizens to Vote on Removing Governor from Nonviolent Parole Process: The Edmund Sun (OK) reports the Oklahoma Senate on Monday approved Senate Joint Resolution 25, which will put on the November ballot an option for voters to take the governor out of the parole and pardon process for nonviolent offenses. The resolution only had to be approved by both chambers of the legislature, and does not have to be considered or approved by the governor, to go on the ballot. SJR 25 would amend the state Constitution and give the board total power to decide parole requests for nonviolent offenders. The governor would still review parole requests for violent crimes. "No other governor in the country is involved in their state's pardon and parole process for nonviolent offenses," said Oklahoma Senator Josh Brecheen, one of the author's of the resolution. "We're the last state in America to task our governor with this responsibility."
Connecticut Legislative Committee Approves Death Penalty Repeal: Ken Dixon of Greenwich Time reports Connecticut's Judiciary Committee on Wednesday approved a bill that would repeal the state's death penalty and replace it with life in prison without the possibility of parole. Although the bill only applies to future crimes, many predict that if passed, those currently on death row would have grounds for appeal. The bill now goes to the Senate.
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