Legislative

Legislative Alert - Juvenile Life Without Parole

Click here for a fact sheet from the Massachusetts Coalition for the Fair Sentencing of Youth

Prisoner Legal Services of Massachusetts has made available a packet of fact sheets, comparisons and analyses of  the Habitiual Offender bills currently before the legislature.  They are thoughly researched and clear.  Use these as resources in conversations and correspondence you may have with legislators, media and colleagues.  They are:

• Use of the Habitual Offender Law
• Analysis of S.2080 and H.3818 "Three Strikes" Provisions
• Summary of S.2080 With Cost Information
• Comparison of Text of Habitual Ofender Provisions in S.2080 and H.3818
• Comparison of Significance of Habitual Offender Provisions in S.2080 and H.3818
• Crimes That Qualify As "Strikes" in Subsection(b) of M.G.L. c. 279 s.25 As Proposed
• Crimes That Should Not Be Included in Subsection(b) of M.G.L. c. 279 s.25 As Proposed

Massachusett Lawyers Weekly recently editorialized on the issue of sentencing, recommending the legislature go "back to the drawing board". Click here  for the text of the article.

Three Strikes Bill

Contact your state senators and representatives especially if they are on the Conference Committee. Urge them to oppose the draconian provisions of :

• The House and Senate “Three Strikes” bills (H-3818 and S-2080) ,
• The provisions in S-2080 for mandatory post-release supervision, expanded wiretap authorization, enforcement of civil infractions and other ill-considered changes to various laws.
• Click here for a concise analysis and outline of the bills and the names and contact information for the members of the Conference Committee.

For a copy of H- 3818 click here. For S- 2080, click here.

Juvenile Life Without Parole

Click here for a fact sheet from the Massachusetts Coalition for the Fair Sentencing of Youth