Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Criminal Law Blogs -> Sentencing Law and Policy

Criminal Law

: Sentencing Law and Policy

Looking closely at the tougher sentences approved by Oregon voters in Measure 73

By Douglas A. Berman

As detailed in this local commentary, which is headlined "Aftermath of Measure 73: Voters tell state to sober up on DUII," the citizens of Oregon used direct democracy to get tougher on drunk drivers and sex offenders.  Here are the details and some spin: Oregon voters just passed another crime measure the state can't afford. That leaves the Legislature with two choices: Suspend this crime measure like the last one, or adapt to it. Adapting is the only defensible choice.  In fact, Measure 73 may force the state to get smarter about impaired driving on the first arrest, rather than waiting for multiple arrests or fatalities to acknowledge problems with drug addiction, alcoholism and public safety. Actually, let's talk in more human terms.  At least seven people died in apparent DUII crashes in Oregon during a three-week stretch in September...continue to full post

Full post as published by Sentencing Law and Policy on November 04, 2010 (boomark / email).