Report Title:

Sentencing; Habitual Violent Offenders

 

Description:

Repeals the law requiring habitual violent offenders to be sentenced to prison for 30 years to life.

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

354

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

relating to SENTENCING.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The purpose of this Act is to repeal the so-called "three strikes" law adopted by the legislature in 2006.  The legislature finds that the law is overly broad because it will lead to long prison terms for non-violent offenders, will contribute to prison overcrowding and increased medical costs for care of elderly inmates, is redundant of existing law, and deprives the courts of the discretion needed to formulate appropriate, individualized sentences.  Moreover, despite the claim of law enforcement officials that its adoption was urgently necessary to deter street criminals, the legislature finds that this law has not been used once in six months.

     SECTION 2.  Act 81, Session Laws of Hawaii 2006, is repealed.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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