Laserfiche WebLink
> <br />i <br />S tath of Minnesota <br />OFUCE OF THE GOVERNOR <br />I 3ti STATE C APITOL <br />SAINT PAUL 55155 <br />rrvw <br />c^:%o <br />\RNE H CARLSON <br />01 JAN 1A <br />. r ^h\r\ <br />January 14, 1994 <br />Dear Minnesotan: <br />Our state is known throughout the country as a good and safe place to U«. Yet nearly <br />one out of every three Minnesotans said they were victims of cnme m 1992 and violent <br />crimes committed by juveniles have increased by 60 percent since 1988. Too many <br />people no longer feel safe in their homes, schools and communities. <br />I believe the state must play a key role in reversing this alarming trend. <br />In 1992 and 1993, our office worked very closely with the state legislature to implement <br />a comprehensive package of laws which included longer prison . <br />serious violent crimes including murder, rape and drive-by shootings; doubled fundmg for <br />victims’ programs; and directed more resources .o key prevention programs for juveniles <br />and children. <br />But we must go further. This year I am asking the legislature to support a senes of <br />measures which includes a mandatory minimum 15-year prison sentence for ^ose who <br />commit three crimes against a person. CurrenUy violent offenders serve a wide ^ <br />sentences. But in the case of the dangerous predators, sentencing has the potential to be <br />woefuUy inadequate. Our aim is to incapacitate all violent offenders who haw <br />demonstrated a pattern of predatory’ behavior and who threatM the safety ^ o^cn. U <br />the legislature accepts our proposal, these dangerous repeat offenders wiU be locked up <br />for at least 15 years, and perhaps longer. Three times, and they're out <br />♦ <br />In addition, I have proposed to make it easier to certify a juvenile as an adult <br />she commits a crime with a weapon. I want to eliminate laws that currently restrict <br />those who work with youth from sharing critical informauon about potenUj^y dangerous <br />and troubled young people. In addition, we must stop erasing <br />juvemles when they reach age 18 and require prosecutors to pul>l;c‘y <br />of times that gun possessions are plea bargained out of a cruninal trial. Accountabdity « <br />critical to an Effective criminal justice system. It is time we send a message that says, m <br />Minnesota, serious crimes result in serious consequences. <br />AN EOL AL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER <br />^ PBinTED on recycled paper