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Legislature
may repeal auto theft
penalties
Rep. Pearson
questions the wisdom of undoing long-awaited sentencing changes
Rep. Kirk Pearson,
R-Monroe, expressed disappointment with legislators supporting House
Bill 2570 to remove the juvenile penalty structure for auto theft put in
place last year with the passage of House Bill 1001.
"Many of us worked hard to
increase penalties for auto thieves -- both adult and juvenile offenders
-- last year. Auto theft is a major problem in Washington that hurts
families," Pearson said. "When people have their car stolen, it affects
their ability to get to work, take care of an elderly parent or take their
kids to school. Our goal under last year's bill was to make sure the
punishment fit the nature of the crime."
Pearson added that he's
confused about lawmakers passing a bill to revamp sentences for auto
theft in 2007, then turn around and try to take out the changes before
the law has a chance to work.
"The penalties may make a
difference in getting kids out of car theft rings, some of them
gang-related, and start them on the path of being a law-abiding
citizen," Pearson said. "If House Bill 2570 passes, the Legislature and
law enforcement will never know if stricter sentencing guidelines have a
net positive effect on auto theft."
"I just think we need to
be practical and wait to see if last year's policy helps slow the rate
of auto theft, then make changes that make the law better," Pearson
said. "We all agreed that addressing auto theft and the cursory crimes
it's associated with was a priority. I think it's too early to suggest
last year's bill won't help deter auto thieves."
Pearson serves at the
ranking Republican member on the House Public Safety and Emergency
Preparedness Committee.
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For more information, contact:
Bobbi Cussins, Public Information Officer:
(360) 786-7252
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