Americans for Prosperity: Justice reforms passed by Senate will improve people’s lives

Dec 10, 2020 by AFP

LANSING, Mich. – The grassroots group Americans for Prosperity-Michigan today thanked the Michigan Senate for approving a package of House bills that emerged from a bundle of recommendations made by the Michigan Joint Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration. Annie Patnaude, state director for the group, issued the following statement:

“These reforms will improve people’s lives and keep communities safer even as they ensure a more equitable justice system that respects individual civil liberties granted by our Constitution. We look forward to seeing these bills finalized and signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

“Incarceration isn’t the answer for minor mistakes that do not impact public safety nor should driver’s licenses suspensions be used as a bludgeon. In fact, jail time for low-level non-violent offenses or something as minor as an unpaid traffic ticket is often counterproductive because it undermines an individual’s ability to maintain employment and meet important personal obligations.

“Notably, these reforms will stop the practice of incarcerating people for low-level traffic offenses that do not impact public safety, stop the practice of using driver’s license suspensions as a bludgeon for people who have made minor mistakes, and give elected judges more discretion over sentencing around low-level, non-violent offenses.