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Friday, March 29, 2024

FLEOA Denounces New Criminal Justice Legislation

The Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) is sternly opposing the SAFE Justice Reinvestment  Act (HR 2944), which would use the findings from the bipartisan Over-Criminalization Task Force to institute new and unnecessary reforms.

By applying the findings of the task force and evidence-based reforms already made by some states, the legislation would require reinvesting the resulting savings from doing so in additional evidence-based criminaljustice strategies proven to reduce recidivism and crime, and the burden of the criminal justice system on the taxpayer.

Sponsored by Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-Wisc.) and referred to the House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security and Investigations, FLEOA Executive Director Steve Lenkart said in a statement that, “This bill should really be called the UNSAFE Justice Act because it will leave the American public vulnerable to an increase in drug crimes and will usurp the hard work of federal agents, police, and prosecutors who work tirelessly to ensure that drug criminals are caught and held responsible for their careless disregard for human decency."

Lenkart said, "Not only is this legislation flawed at its very root, but it fails to account for existing laws that provide the same provisions. Under current statute, nonviolent drug offenders often negotiate a plea bargain for a lesser charge, and to avoid serving any minimum mandatory sentence."

"Furthermore," Lenkart said, "federal judges, of their own accord, may sidestep the sentence if the drug offender has a minor criminal history, did not engaged in violence, cooperates with federal authorities and is not considered a leader or ‘King-Pin.’ Nonviolent drug offenders have the opportunity to request a safety valve proffer or even pursue a cooperation letter from the US Attorney’s Office. By lowering the mandatory sentence, this bill is eroding any incentive a drug offender or trafficker has to cooperate."

Lenkart stressed that FLEOA "members are on the front lines and witness the devastating effects that drugs have on our society. We see how drugs destroy families and tear at the fabric of our great nation. The SAFE Justice Act is an abhorrent bill and is another useless and needless piece of legislation.”

FLEOA Denounces New Criminal Justice Legislation Homeland Security Today
Homeland Security Today
The Government Technology & Services Coalition's Homeland Security Today (HSToday) is the premier news and information resource for the homeland security community, dedicated to elevating the discussions and insights that can support a safe and secure nation. A non-profit magazine and media platform, HSToday provides readers with the whole story, placing facts and comments in context to inform debate and drive realistic solutions to some of the nation’s most vexing security challenges.
Homeland Security Today
Homeland Security Todayhttp://www.hstoday.us
The Government Technology & Services Coalition's Homeland Security Today (HSToday) is the premier news and information resource for the homeland security community, dedicated to elevating the discussions and insights that can support a safe and secure nation. A non-profit magazine and media platform, HSToday provides readers with the whole story, placing facts and comments in context to inform debate and drive realistic solutions to some of the nation’s most vexing security challenges.

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