Posted: | January 16, 2019 11:38 AM |
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From: | Representative Anthony M. DeLuca |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Consecutive Sentences for Offenses Committed with Firearms |
As legislators, and as a society, we need to take crime committed with the use of firearms seriously and ensure that sentences are fully served for these most dangerous of offenses. It has come to my attention that due to District Attorney Plea bargaining practices, the legislative intent of Section 9712 of Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) has been severely compromised. The public safety is at risk due to these compromises. Section 9712 regards the mandatory five-year sentencing upon conviction of crimes with a firearm. Such crimes, and those who commit them, present a clear and present danger to our safety. We specifically need to require consecutive and not allow concurrent sentences for convictions. The new law will require the mandatory sentence imposed to be imposed consecutive to any other sentence imposed by the court. Last session this passed the House 134-59 as HB 348. Please join me to ensure that persons convicted of these crimes serve the full time the law provides for. |
Introduced as HB726