Smart On Crime
Not all criminal cases are the same.
By making sure that the criminal justice system deals with the habitual criminal and the violent felon appropriately, we can make a real dent in the crime rate.
We need to be smart on crime. In my experience, a lot of violent crime is committed by a relatively small group of habitual criminals. By making sure that the criminal justice system deals with the habitual criminal and the violent felon appropriately, we can make a real dent in the crime rate.
The law provides good sentencing alternatives when appropriate for the non-violent offender without a significant criminal history.
The criminal justice system must use its limited resources where they count most. We have great programs to deal with people struggling with addiction and other issues. We have a Veterans Court, that pairs vets who find themselves in the criminal justice system with a veteran who meets with them regularly to help get on the straight and narrow.
But there are some repeat, violent offenders whose prosecutions we must prioritze. These are individuals who pose a great risk of re-offending. Because they are dangerous, we must seek substantial prison sentences for them. Striking the right balance to ensure justice is the challenge we face every day. I work hard to use the public resources smartly while protecting the public safety.