Springfield Mayor Dom Sarno blasted the Joint Committee on the Judiciary for their inaction on Bail Reform packages that he and the governor have been pushing for some time. Sarno says the committee - is irresponsible in its inaction.
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno states, “ I am astonished and saddened that the state legislature Joint Committee on the Judiciary sent this life-saving bill to study/committee, in essence to let it die. This irresponsible inaction by the Joint Committee, once again shows their true colors, that they feel comfortable in continuing to protect violent repeat criminal offenders, rather than the victim(s) and their families. "
The Governor is also not understanding of the logic behind the legislative decision.
“The Judiciary Committee’s incomprehensible decision to send our Administration’s dangerousness bill to study is an insult to survivors. The Administration’s bill would have closed loopholes in the criminal justice system, while the Legislature’s decision protects abusers at the expense of survivors.”
According to the legislation that the Governor filed:
The bill would have expanded the list of offenses that can provide grounds for a dangerousness hearing and close certain loopholes at the start and end of the criminal process that currently limit or prevent effective action to address legitimate safety concerns. It would strengthen the ability of judges to enforce the conditions of pre-trial release by empowering police to detain people who they observe violating court-ordered release conditions; current law does not allow this, and instead requires a court to first issue a warrant.
(Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
Photo: Getty Images