"An Act relating to sentencing for the commission of a felony while under the influence of alcohol. "

In the interest of public safety and reducing the rate of recidivism among certain violent offenders, I have introduced Senate Bill 284 giving judges a new option when sentencing felons who commit crimes against persons. (As 11.41)

In instances that clear and convincing evidence shows a long-term pattern of alcohol abuse as a major contributing factor in the commission of a violent crime against a person, a judge may impose as a condition of sentencing, a lifetime prohibition on the use of alcohol.

This legislation is intended to accomplish three main objectives. The first is to allow courts to permanently remove a controlled substance from those who have a long track record of being dangerous when they use it. The second is to prevent future acts of violence by establishing a different threshold for re-arrest before actual violence may occur. The third goal is to establish a lifelong deterrent to offenders who might be tempted to use a substance that unleashes their violent nature.

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