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Last updated on Wednesday, March 27, 2013
(TERRE HAUTE) - A bill moving through the Indiana statehouse seeks to remedy an age-old problem: overcrowding of the state’s jails and prisons. But, as with any proposed legislation, House Bill 1006 has its share of critics, too.
One of the professionals worried about some of the Bill's effects is Vigo County Prosecutor Terry Modesitt. He worries the new law would force prosecutors to handle all offenders alike, without the built-in benefit of latitude for mitigating factors.
Modesitt also said he's opposed to the idea of any felony, even less serious offenses, carrying zero jail time.
"Because if it's serious enough to be a felony charge, you've got to allow us some discretion to decide, Is this person dangerous? If they don't get any jail-time, are we endangering the public as a result of this," Modesitt shared with News 10 on Tuesday.
Bill 1006 seeks to, among other things, eliminate the current, felony class system of A, B, C, and D. Furthermore, it moves to switch to a number format, Classes 1, 2, 3, and 4 in other words, adding a Class 5 and 6.
Bill sponsors want the newly-added Classes 5 and 6 to carry little, if any, jail time.
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