Washington House approves the draft law on the dismissal of divisive crimes

A chamber to Washington representatives, suddenly divided, has narrowed a draft law that would allow the courts to reject certain charges if the defendants substantially comply with the conditions ordered by the court.

Vote 50-46 at Bill House 1113 (HB 1113) Saturday, on Saturday, six Democrats broke the ranks to join all Republicans in opposition, with two parliamentarians excused from vote. It marks the closest vote of the legislative session so far.

A new approach to crime justice

The draft law, which is now heading to the Senate, grants to the courts of the authority to reject crimes or charges of serious crimes if an defendant fulfills prescribed conditions, such as treatment programs, community services or other rehabilitation efforts. Supporters claim that they offer a structured way to rehabilitation, while maintaining the responsibility for lower -level criminals.

Certain offenses are explicitly excluded, including reckless leadership offenses, hitting and running, pursuit, animal cruelty and domestic violence. The complete refund of the victims remains mandatory for dismissal, although the indigenous defendants cannot be refused to exempt only because of the inability to pay.

Supporters: A way to responsibility and rehabilitation

Lawyers claim that the Washington offense system disproportionately affects people who are struggling with addiction, homeless and mental health disorders. The representative of Roger Goodman (D-Kirkland), a supporter of the draft law, stressed the need for reform.

“These are low-level offenses-people who carry out the law of law-which widen on our streets that suffer from behavioral health disorders,” Goodman said on the floor of the house. “There are individuals who revolve through the limited jurisdiction courts several times, waste our resources. We need to offer behavioral changes to them, and this bill will certainly help you. “

Goodman mentioned that the state -level dismissal rate for low -level crimes is already 45%, largely due to judicial delays, a shortage of public defenders and judicial discretion.

Oppositors: A threat to the prosecutor’s discretion and public safety

The opposition was deeply partisan, the Republicans arguing the draft law undermines the prosecutor’s discretion and could weaken the responsibility for the criminal behavior. The representative of Dan Griffey (R-alyn), who voted against the draft law, expressed strong concerns.

“In Washington, I think I encouraged criminal behavior and let people escape too long,” Griffey said. “They think there are no consequences. We must return to a system in which there are expected consequences for violating rules. “

Others, including members of the Washington Association of Lawyers and the Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs in Washington, have argued that the bill plays prosecutors of their ability to control the results of the cases and could make it harder to respond to criminals.

HB 1113 is now moving to the Senate for additional examination.

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