Politics & Government

Poll: House Passes Repeat Offender Legislation

State Representatives, including Medfield's Dan Winslow, support House Bill 3811, referred to as Melissa's Bill.

Medfied's State Representative Dan Winslow (R-Norfolk) and Steven Howitt (R-Seekonk) joined lead sponsor Bradford Hill (R-Ipswich), House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) and the entire House Republican Caucus in supporting the legislation after several representatives voted in favor to pass a bill that would keep repeat offenders in jail.

House Bill 3811, referred to as Melissa's Bill, was filed in 2000 in memory of Melissa Gosule, a teacher who was murdered by a repeat offender who served less than two years in prison for a total of 27 convictions.

House Republicans offered several amendments to the bill, including mandatory written notification of parole hearings to the Attorney General, District Attorney, local Chief of Police, and the victim for someone who has been convicted of a violent crime who has served more than five years in prison.

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“This bill targets the most dangerous violent criminals and will make sure that habitual offenders are given the maximum sentence possible” said David P. Linsky (D-Natick). “As a former prosecutor I am committed to public safety and ensuring that those individuals who threaten public safety are off the streets.”

Under this new legislation, habitual offenders would have to serve 2/3 of their sentence, rather than half, before becoming eligible for parole. Habitual offenders sentenced under any major crimes indicated would not be eligible for parole, work release or furlough, nor would their sentence be eligible for reduction or suspension.

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“We cannot allow habitual offenders to terrorize and victimize our friends, loved ones and public servants,” House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D-Winthrop) said. “This legislation represents a powerful deterrent to those who would commit crime repeatedly.”

Furthermore, habitual offender status is realized when an offender, after being convicted of any two major crimes, is convicted of a third major crime. Major crimes include murder, manslaughter, rape, child enticement, kidnapping, and others. The offender would be ineligible for parole upon conviction of a third offense and be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for the maximum term provided by law.

The legislation also indicates that a sentence imposed under this section shall run from and after any sentence that the defendant is serving at the time of sentencing.

No person shall be considered a habitual offender based upon any offense for which such person was adjudicated a delinquent child.

The legislation will now be sent to Conference Committee.

So Medfield, we want to know what you think ...

Today's question: Do you agree with the state's House of Representatives' decision to vote in favor of passing Melissa's Bill that cracks down on repeat offenders?

Vote in the poll above or leave a comment below!


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