I recently gave an informal, big picture talk on criminal justice reform.
Criminal Law
Correctional Funding Commission
In the end, our commission raised as many questions as it answered, but we did create a good record of what we learned and a new set of conversations that may help move us towards a correctional system that is more cost-effective and takes better care of the men and women in its custody.
Eliminating Probation Fees
I hope that we are able to adopt the Governor’s proposal to eliminate probation fees.
Life without parole
I have filed legislation to give judges more flexibility in sentencing murderers.
The Appointment and Training of Clerk Magistrates and Assistant Clerk Magistrates
A recent Boston Globe Spotlight story highlighted the court system’s use of clerk magistrates to oversee show cause hearings, closed-door proceedings in which clerk magistrates determine whether to press forward with charges against an individual, raising concerns about transparency and equity in the judicial process.
System Responses to Problematic Behaviors by a Child Under 12
As a result of the recent increase in the age of juvenile court jurisdiction at the lower end to 12 for purposes of adjudicating juvenile delinquency, Senator Brownsberger’s office has received a number of inquiries as to how the court system, a school system, or other entities might respond to problematic behaviors by a child under the age of 12.