Asked about the governor's thoughts towards reforming habitual offender laws, press secretary Bailey Martin wrote in a June 11 email, "Governor Reeves believes that Mississippi should focus on . The petition argues: No less than four (4) decisions from this court hold that in order to meet due process standards, a sentencing enhancement statute must contain a non-vague definition of the term crime of violence.. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, There is a newer version of the Mississippi Code, Chapter 19 - JUDGMENT, SENTENCE, AND EXECUTION. The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: SECTION 1. The misdemeanor offense attracts up to $500 in fines and six months in prison or both. To get a lesser punishment, Wilson agreed to be a confidential informant for the Flowood police and bait a cocaine seller. In fact, two-thirds of Mississippi voters agree, according to a 2018 survey conducted for FWD.us., and believe habitual sentences shouldnt be applied to people whose current convictions are for non-violent crimes. The first step would be to draft new legislation to allow habitual offenders the opportunity for parole. This was commonly referred to as good time and was completely distinct from parole. Mississippi, like states across the country, followed the national trend with its own tough-on-crime reforms in 1995. And just because it seems an offender should be eligible based on time served doesnt mean theyll automatically be granted parole. Despite new state law, dozens imprisoned in Mississippi for nonviolent The hopeful news for criminal-justice reforms came hours after the U.S. Supreme Court, in an opinion authored by Justice Brett Kavanaugh, dealt a blow to some advocates with. You got my 40? Ronnie Hewitt asked Jermaine Mitchell, who was then 29 years old, on the phone on Aug. 1, 2009. The law also contains a significant change for non-violent offenders. FILE - In this June 12, 2015, file photo, fencing surrounds the Hinds County Detention Center in Raymond, Miss. Bill Text: MS HB1024 | 2020 | Regular Session - LegiScan Matt Steffey, professor of law at the Mississippi College School of Law, said while getting a case before the U.S. Supreme Court is a long shot, especially since this case in particular regards an issue of state law, the legal argument is strong, much stronger than most.. Report: Mississippi laws cause 'extreme' prison sentences Making these alternative forms of habitual offender laws just as damaging. They found drug paraphernaliawhich can be means of inhaling or injecting a controlled substancein her vehicle. You already receive all suggested Justia Opinion Summary Newsletters. This is a smart on crime, soft on taxpayer conservative reform., Among those who deserve immense credit in this process are Reps. Nick Bain and Kevin Horan, Sens. We give prosecutors the sole discretion to throw a life away forever over marijuana or a bad check. Pickett says the law change will make around 4,000 offenders eligible for parole. Were not going to suddenly see a 25% reduction in the prison population. Prior to this law, prisoners convicted of a "crime of violence as defined by statute were not eligible for parole but were only eligible for earned release supervision after serving 50% of their sentence. Madison, Someone who served their time for a violent felony years ago is still subject to life without parole for a nonviolent on a third felony. His only prior convictions were for possession of marijuana, and both of those occurred when he was a teenager. Before that day, Flowood police had arrested Wilson during a traffic stop. When Williams came back, joined Hollins in the vehicle and sat on the passengers side, the law-enforcement officers immediately arrested both men. Commentary on Mississippi habitual offenders law: Change needed The fact that SB2795 does not allow habitual offenders an opportunity for earned parole is a huge blow to the MS corrections system. Only one of the bills made it past the committee levelBains House Bill 981. Asked about the governor's thoughts towards reforming habitual offender laws, press secretary Bailey Martin wrote in a June 11 email, "Governor Reeves believes that Mississippi should focus on a full, multi-year implementation of the criminal justice reforms passed in 2014 and 2021 before any additional legislation regarding habitual . But they could at least let me get out and help raise my grandkids, to be a part of their life. And right now, we are not extending that same grace and mercy to our fellow incarcerated Mississippians. His first offense occurred when he was 19 years old. Our hard-earned tax dollars are being used to lock these women up. Research shows us that violent crime has fallen faster in states that have reduced imprisonment over the past decade than in states that have increased their rates of imprisonment. The Clarion Ledger: Local journalists telling Mississippi stories. Like a number of other states, Mississippi has two habitual offender laws, referred to as the "big" and "little" laws. Court upholds life sentence for Mississippi man convicted of marijuana Unfortunately, the passage of this bill does not guarantee all inmates the opportunity for parole. Parole-eligible inmates serving time for non-violent crimes currently must complete at least 25% of their sentence before they can get a parole hearing. In 2021, as a Mississippi Free Press reporter, he was named the Diamond Journalist of the Year for seven southern U.S. states in the Society of Professional Journalists Diamond Awards.