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All repeat offenders should face tougher sentences in New York A fight is underway in Albany over a proposal that would make those who repeatedly commit misdemeanors face tougher sentences. This bill is modeled after one in place that addresses serial felons. The legislation was proposed when it was discovered that an individual who brutally beat a 90plus year old woman for a few dollars in her pocketbook had a string of misdemeanor assaults. He had been charged, served his menial sentences and then went out to prey upon the frail, weak and elderly once again. Currently, the legislation is being blocked in the Assembly by Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D), who maintains that the bill is too broad and would cast a wide net over all misdemeanor cases, even those for offenses such as loitering or civil disobedience. In addition, strong lobbying by groups representing minorities have applied political pressure to kill the measure. They maintain that the change would have the most dramatic impact in their communities. Actually, the law, if passed, would have the most dramatic impact on the criminals, regardless of their race or where they live. The argument that it would impact upon minorities is simply patronizing and distasteful. We do agree with Silver, however, that the law should delineate which misdemeanors should be included in the change, which should not and moreover how and when it should be applied.
That won't happen, however, unless Silver sees the political opposition for what it is, and allows the proposal to come to the floor for a full review and discussion. We hope he does before the end of this session.
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