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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | November 7, 2013 02:03 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Andrew E. Dinniman |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Legislation to treat older teens as adults in certain, serious vehicular cases |
| In my district, a 17-year-old was recently convicted for the vehicular homicide death of a 19-year-old female and yet was able to go home after being sentenced to probation, community service and a fine. Pennsylvania law considered him a juvenile at the time of the crime. In response, I will soon introduce legislation that would add four crimes to the list for which 15-, 16- and 17-year-olds can be treated as adults: homicide by vehicle, homicide by vehicle while under the influence, aggravated assault by vehicle, and aggravated assault by vehicle while under the influence. Pennsylvania already treats older teens as adults when charged with murder, rape or aggravated assault with use of a deadly weapon; I believe vehicular homicide and vehicular aggravated assault are similarly heinous crimes and that Pennsylvania law should thus treat them similarly at the time of sentencing. The mother and the aunt (who is also a Chester County commissioner) of the victim I reference have understandably put together a coalition urging the passage of this legislation. They join me in urging your consideration of this bill. |
Introduced as SB1217