Crist inching toward victory on Anti-Murder Act

Gov. Charlie Crist's "Anti-Murder Act" is off to a good start in the Senate.

On Tuesday, SB 146 unanimously passed the Criminal Justice Committee. The Anti-Murder Act would make violent criminals who violate probation return to jail until a judge determines whether they pose a danger to the community.

“Probation is a privilege, not a right,” said Sen. Paula Dockery, the bill’s sponsor. “When convicted felons are put on probation after serving time in prison, they are given a second chance to re-enter society and enjoy their freedom. If that opportunity is met with a blatant disregard of the terms of probation or the commission of a new crime, the felon should return to prison and not be given another chance.”

The bill now travels to the Senate Judiciary Committee. It also has to get through the House. Given the financial costs (Crist has put nearly $22-million in his proposed budget) it could run into problems in both chambers.

Comments

The bill was tweaked heavily to show a low cost in the first year. Maybe the Buzz should print the cost for year 5.

[Dose of Reality]

Yea, like 11:33 says, show us the year 5 cost. It will be a ton of money! Do you get 11:33's point? Me neither. See, the higher the cost, the more child predators in prison. We wouldn't want that, would we 11:33? Clearly, you are too smart by half. Idiot!

The bill has actually been watered down over the years so that Crist can just pass it out and claim victory. It won't cost that much, and it won't do much. And it would not have saved anyone's life.

8:11, you need to read the bill passed yesterday in the Senate committee. It was watered down in years past, but this version is back to the stronger language. It WILL save lives.

Did anyone catch the testimony yesterday in committee...the counties really scored big with their new lobbyist.

[Smokey]

“The Anti-Murder Act would make violent criminals who violate probation return to jail until a judge determines whether they pose a danger to the community.”

Ummmm… yeah…. Ok…. Ummmmm.

Try this on for size… A “violent criminal” who “violates probation”… wait for it… here it comes… “IS” a threat to society… and… wait…. wait…. “DOES” pose a danger to the community.

Good God, we’re all in a hell of a lot of trouble if this mess is called Legislation.

Smokey, the point is that judges will have to sign their name saying the criminal is ok to be let back on probation. hoepfully that will keep the creeps in jail instead of on our streets.

[Smokey]

Several judges signed their name to Roe -v- Wade… a lot of good that did to settle things.

The point should be that “violent criminals” have a recidivism rate almost as high as sexual predators. We need to stop pussyfooting around with these creodonts.

Curt Russell (Snake Pliskin) – Escape From New York – 1980’s… it’s time for that style of approach to “paying your debt”. Make three strikes and you’re out actually mean something other than a good campaign stump.

as long as they don't start locking up nutjobs who talk about public policy with no real idea of the current law.

[Smokey]

11:37,

Don't worry, I'll send you underwear and smokes if they do.

Just tie a string to them and lower them down from your cell above Smokey

Does anyone else remember how some of these legislators who are now praising this bill to the skies, thought it was nothing but a joke and PR stunt back before Charlie won the election?

yes, back before his approval numbers went through the roof.

Improving public education would do more to lower crime rates than any amount of punishment.

[peggy arvanitas]

You can buy polls, honey. Crist did it profusely in the last campaigns...
We are not clapping from a 5-10% reduction from Citizens...The tax break extra 25% wont be that profound...

A good hurricane and Florida heavily in debt will finish that off. The NAACP is still waiting for their wish list..like clemency.

So who does a poll the first MONTH ANYWAY!?

[Brandon]

I support the Bill, but anyone who commits a violent crime shouldn't be let out on probation anyways.