Some lawmakers questioned how much impact a crime survivor’s input would have on that decision. Sponsors assured them a survivor’s position would matter.
The bills would give violent offenders or people who commit a new felony a way to keep their access to a specialty treatment court. Democratic state Representative David LaGrand is among the sponsors. He says the bills wouldn’t give people an automatic second chance if they break the law.
“They’re going to look at that felony and ask all those questions. Is this an indicator that you’re not cooperating, you’re not proceeding, you’re not getting the help you need? If everybody sitting around the table—the judge and the prosecutor whose job it is to enforce the law says, ‘Let’s keep ‘em in the program,’ that’s the proposal.”
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