*LEGISLATIVE ALERT!*
*A Memphis Fast Forward Initiative <http://memphisfastforward.com/>*
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*Tomorrow the tougher sentences bill goes before the senate. Contact your
senators today and encourage them to support! Below are links on how to
contact your legislators by phone or email.
*
In 1995, the crime of aggravated robbery was not included when the Tennessee
General Assembly enacted legislation prohibiting parole for certain types of
crime. This has resulted in a revolving door for these very dangerous
criminals.
Law enforcement professionals have consistently called on the General
Assembly to strengthen the penalty for aggravated robbery and specifically
to add it to those offenses for which there is no parole or, in the
alternative, make it what is called a Class A felony with longer ranges of
sentences.
While not going quite that far, HB 2813 (by Odom, et al) / SB 3431 (by
Henry, et al) increases the percentage of sentence a first-time offender
convicted of aggravated robbery must serve from 30 percent to 74 percent.
(Second and subsequent convictions were made non-parolable in 2006.)
In recent years, we have been averaging around 600 aggravated robbery cases
per year in Shelby County, with the vast majority involving first-time
offenders for that particular charge (not other charges), making them
eligible for parole after serving 30 percent of their sentences. If enacted,
HB 2813 / SB 3431 will represent a major step in making our streets and
neighborhoods safer.
While not a designated part of our Operation: Safe Community legislative
package, passage would provide a similar result and is the best vehicle
available at this time to ensure tougher sentencing laws for violent
offenders.
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*State senators from Shelby County:*
Ophelia Ford <http://www.capitol.tn.gov/senate/members/s29.html>
Brian Kelsey <http://www.capitol.tn.gov/senate/members/s31.html>
Jim Kyle <http://www.capitol.tn.gov/senate/members/s28.html>
Beverly Marrero <http://www.capitol.tn.gov/senate/members/s30.html>
Mark Norris <http://www.capitol.tn.gov/senate/members/s32.html>
Reginald Tate <http://www.capitol.tn.gov/senate/members/s33.html>
*State representatives from Shelby County:*
Karen Camper <http://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/members/h87.html>
Jim Coley <http://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/members/h97.html>
Barbara Cooper <http://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/members/h86.html>
John DeBerry <http://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/members/h90.html>
Lois DeBerry <http://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/members/h91.html>
G.A. Hardaway <http://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/members/h92.html>
Ulysses Jones <http://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/members/h98.html>
Mike Kernell <http://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/members/h93.html>
Ron Lollar <http://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/members/h99.html>
Steve McManus <http://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/members/h96.html>
Larry Miller <http://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/members/h88.html>
Jeanne Richardson <http://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/members/h89.html>
Curry Todd <http://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/members/h95.html>
Joe Towns <http://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/members/h84.html>
Johnnie Turner <http://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/members/h85.html>
Mark White <http://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/members/h83.html>
Copyright © 2010 Operation: Safe Community
