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40% of Criminal Jurisprudence bills boost criminal penalties

As has probably been the case every legislative session in living memory, bills boosting criminal penalties account for a lion's share of legislation coming out of the Texas House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee this year. According to Emily Ramshaw at the Dallas News ("Texas legislature cranking out a variety of stiffer penalties for obscure crimes," May 1), "Of the more than 100 bills the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee has endorsed this session, roughly 40 percent strengthen penalties for crimes or tighten restrictions on criminal offenders."I was quoted in the story: "These are easy bills to pass," said Scott Henson, a criminal justice expert turned public policy blogger. "No one can say, 'I'm for stealing air conditioners.' " The article also quotes two senior Democrats who strongly disagree over the direction of the committee on enhancements, and while I respect each man immensely, I must say I disagree with both of them:Rep...continue to full post

Full post as published by Grits for Breakfast on May 01, 2009 (boomark / email).