Oregon Ballot Measure 94 (2000)
From Ballotpedia
Oregon Ballot Measure 94 (2000) is an initiated state statute that would repeal mandatory minimum sentences established by Ballot Measure 11, approved by voters in November 1994. Measure 11 covers murder, manslaughter, assault, kidnapping, rape, sodomy, unlawful sexual penetration, sexual abuse and robbery. Measure 11 requires persons sentenced for these crimes serve the full sentence. The sentence cannot be reduced for any reason. Measure 11 also requires that a person 15, 16 or 17 years old charged with committing one of these crimes be tried as an adult.
Measure 94 will repeal these mandatory minimum sentences and will also repeal the requirement that a person 15, 16 or 17 years old charged with committing one of these crimes be tried as an adult. The measure requires that all persons sentenced to a mandatory minimum sentence be resentenced unless the person requests not to be resentenced.[1]
Contents |
Official Ballot Title
Repeals Mandatory Minimum Sentences For Certain Felonies, Requires Resentencing[2]
Proponents
Cathi Lawler, Lorraine Heller, and JoAnn Bowman
Results
This measure failed at the November 2000 General Election.
Support
[3] Supporters of the measure deny the opposition's claims that measure 94 will release thousands of criminals onto Oregon's streets. Instead, they maintain that offenders will simply be resentenced. They point out that the measure does not target violent or repeat criminals, as the opposition has also said, arguing that:
Measure 11 is a one-strike law, meaning a minimum sentence of nearly 6 years, including children 15+ (tried in adult court) with no early release for good behavior;Over 56% are first-time offenders, many are nonviolent crimes; and a judge cannot consider any circumstances during sentencing.
Supporters reminded voters that in 2000, more was being spent on prisons than schools. They favored giving judges the discretion to place young people in programs that help them become responsible and accountable adults.
Some of those who supported the measure are:
- American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon (ACLU)
- Jo Ann Bowman, State Representative
- Parents Against Cruel & Unusual Punishment
- Southern Oregon Citizens to Repeal Measure 11
==Opposition==[4] Many crime victims and parents of raped or murdered children stood up in opposition for this measure, fearing that dangerous criminals would be released just 90 days after the measure passed. Opponents wanted to know where the line was drawn when deciding which criminals are violent "enough" to stay in jail.
Some opposed believed that judges are not necessarily to be trusted or relied on and putting control in their hands to give out easier sentences is not a good idea. Others simply see the measure as going "soft" on crime in Oregon.
Some opposed to the measure are:
- Crime Victims United
- Oregon Police Chiefs for Safer Communities
- Sheriffs of Oregon
- Lynn Snodgrass, Speaker of the House
- Democratic Women for Justice
- Parents of Murdered Children, Inc
- Mothers Against Drunk Driving Oregon
- Oregon District Attorney's Association
- Kevin Mannix
References
- ↑ Explanatory Statement of this initiative from the State Voting Guide
- ↑ Detailed information about this initiative from the Secretary of State
- ↑ Arguments in Favor from the State Voting Guide
- ↑ Arguments in Opposition from the State Voting Guide
