The Virginian-Pilot
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NEWPORT NEWS
Mandatory sentences for habitual drug dealers, lifetime monitoring for certain sex offenders and increased use of narcotics courts are among the proposals Bob McDonnell unveiled at a gathering of law enforcement officials in Newport News on Wednesday.
The policy rollout by the Republican candidate for governor was the second piece of his public safety platform. Earlier this year, McDonnell said he would continue anti-gang efforts he championed as attorney general if elected governor.
Under McDonnell's plan, individuals charged with a second drug-dealing offense would face a mandatory minimum prison sentence of five years, which would double to 10 years for a third conviction.
"They have to understand that, after that first distribution offense, if you're going to go out and sell poisons on the streets of Virginia, you're going to have the certainty of a lengthy penitentiary sentence," McDonnell said during a news conference after a speech he gave to police chiefs from across the state.
McDonnell acknowledged that tougher mandatory penalties would likely mean more occupied prison beds, requiring additional spending on corrections.
The expansion of drug treatment courts for substance abusers is another idea that comes with a higher price tag, McDonnell said.
Although not major expenses by state budget standards, finding money for both items could be a challenge during a recession that has deprived Virginia of revenue.
The former attorney general also proposed imposing stiffer penalties on convicted sex offenders who fail to register with the State Police as required and trying juveniles who repeatedly commit violent felonies as adults.
Responding to McDonnell's remarks, the state Democratic Party accused him of opposing the federal stimulus package, which helped legislators avoid making large cuts to public safety funding.
McDonnell called that an inaccurate characterization of his position on the federal economic recovery act. Earlier this year he described the stimulus legislation as flawed but said he would accept the money as governor.
The campaign of state Sen. Creigh Deeds, the Democratic candidate for governor, also touted his credentials on public safety. His campaign issued a statement from Arlington County Sheriff Beth Arthur praising Deeds for his work on legislation to aid police in curbing sex crimes. Deeds is from Bath County.
Joining McDonnell in Newport News was state Sen. Ken Cuccinelli, a Fairfax County Republican running to succeed him as attorney general.
During a speech before the police chiefs, Cuccinelli advocated passage of laws making the murder of all law enforcement officials a death penalty-eligible offense. Many, but not all, public safety officials are covered under existing laws.
Del. Steve Shannon, a Fairfax Democrat running for attorney general, also spoke to the police chiefs, proposing a plan to crack down on drunken driving.
Julian Walker, (804) 697-1564, julian.walker@pilotonline.com
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I wish
I had a camera when I saw a sign the read " Building Virginia's Future". This sign was put up in front of a construction site near the Va. Beach's Court house complex. What was being built, was a new juvenile detention(jail) center. We are as a state and a nation doing something, most things wrong. And McDonnell, wants to stay the course. I hate to admit it but at one time, before I started educating myself, I considered myself to be a republican. Now I'm a independent, because I've noticed the two parties are the same and neither one is trustworthy. What we need is a politician with some integrity, I'm only guessing Bob's comments were audience directed and don't really mean much. We're all screwed, from DC on down. It's us against them and they've got all the power and until there are some real changes, not just lip service,which is all we get. It would be nice if it would come peacefully, but I wouldn't hold your breath, the only thing the government understands is violence, that's why we aren't prosecuting Bush and co. we love to be lied to and sent into wars for corporate greed.
Bob McDonnell, Republican
Bob McDonnell, Republican Gubernatorial Candidate is proposing Lifetime GPS Monitoring and Increasing the Penalty for Failure to Register.
The penalty is already a Class 6 Felony, up to five years in prison even if your original charge was a Misdemeanor
If Virginians only knew how easily they, their spouse or their child could be labeled "Sex Offender" by our Government they wouldn't fall for this election garbage.
Learn the facts.
http://www.rsolvirginia.org/aware.html
I know
a guy who's car broke down on Ocean View, while under the hood he was approached by a undercover officer posing as a prostitute. He turned her down and was arrested, the charges were dropped when a business security camera showed him shaking his head "no" and waving her away. It cost him a weekend in jail and a small fortune in lawyer fees. While his court record shows the charges being dropped, he still has a arrest record for a sex crime. Arrest records never go away, and since it is a easier to get than court records, he has to explain the entire ordeal every time he applies for a job or get an apartment.
Glass House
A lot of people are in favor of agressive policing and draconian consequences until they find themselves set up in some kind of sting that creates a permanent criminal record.....guilty or not. It's always easier to throw stones from a glass house.
...
Why management as opposed to prevention. Kids who have better education (college included) end up being useful members of society. Inability to afford college leaves people to do what makes them survive. It's human nature.
Deeds' campaign has issued a plan called "Better Schools. Better Jobs" to detail Deeds' plans regarding education. Plan calls for up to $15K in student loans for 4-year college students, & for creating partnerships with community colleges & traditional universities.
Management
creates a hierarchy, with them in charge. And what would be easier to manage then a bunch of people who never received, a good education. Saw little hope or chance of making a better life for themselves and family. And ended up in prison as a three time loser and gets life for simple marijuana. An educated public is the greatest threat to any government, good thing we still have our guns. Of course if you've ever been a prisoner, not only may you lose your right to own a gun, but you could also lose you right to vote. Now what could better for a politician, one less voter who he has to court an extra vote away from some other politician. Lets see, we have a poorly educated, unarmed, nonvoting public, a politicians dream. Now they can give all my grandchildren a big enough tax burden that they won't be able to get a student loan. They'll be able to retire with a great pension, free health care and for some reason they get introduced as The Honorable so and so. I'm getting a headache, wish I could smoke some medical marijuana, without being worried (paranoid) about SWAT breaking down my door.
I'd like to know
I'k like to know just what did McD get accomplished as AG?
He got
paid.
THis is the horror of the Bush Regime all over again
Folks, the Republicans feel that instilling fear and retribution is the only way to govern this country. Don't buy into it. There are more non violent drug offenders in jail in this country then ever before and this is YOUR tax dollars at work. Jim Webb has the logical and reasonable attitude regarding this. Also,bear in mind it ISN'T WORKING. If it doesn't work, why are we still going down that path?
The Republican party is akin to the tactics of Nazi Germany. They use the same motives (fear,) they use the same punishmnent (jail - concentration camps). You are never forgiven, (the laws on the books) and you will never have a decent chance at a reasonable life ever again. THIS ISN'T WORKING. It's all about destroying lives forever. It's the Republican way. Also, the Republicans want to keep the division between the have and have not's clear. Some people just don't deserve equal opportunity regardless of RACE CREED AND COLOR or PAST DEEDS. Those days are gone and a new day is dawning. Don't vote for this man, he isn't worthy.
Repubicans = Big Brother State of Mind
OK all you Whinney Liberals
When someone breaks the law the need to be punished and sent to jail, More prisions due to more criminals being prosecuted is NOT a bad thing. Drug offendeer are criminals and are breaking the law so prosecute them and send them to jail NO EXcuses oh my daddy beat me, I was held down by the system, I couldn't date the most popular girl so I turned and got myself hooked on drugs. TO BAD you broke the law now get punished and sent to jail. @nd Idea yes their are such a thing as violent child molestors, I feel any trash that hurts a child for sexual perposes should be castrated and sent to jail for life, but the ones who physically hurt these children while abusing them are the lowest of their kind and should NEVER SEE DAYLIGHT AGAIN. Their is NO VALID REASON to sexually abuse a child, this is a crime od power over thses kids because these losers can deal with people their own age. STOP MAKING EXCUSES FOR THEM AND DO WHAT IS RIGHT PUNISH THEN TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW. NO excuses are acceptable for this behavior so libs stop trying to give them a way out and send their arses to jail where they belong.