Slate of criminal justice measures goes to Fallin

The Oklahoma Senate has approved and sent to Gov. Mary Fallin a slate of measures to reform the state’s overcrowded criminal justice system.

Fallin supports the bills, which are intended to limit the state’s high incarceration rate.

More nonviolent offenders would be diverted into treatment rather than prison.

“These reforms ensure public safety is still our highest priority,” said Sen. Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City. “The Oklahoma District Attorneys Association, along with a host of other organizations, agrees.

“We must hold those who break the law accountable, and the most violent, dangerous and predatory criminals should be behind bars. These proposals have been well vetted and represent a smarter and less expensive way to deal with those that commit nonviolent crimes.”

Legislation that will be sent to Fallin to be signed into law:

• House Bill 2472 gives prosecutors discretion to file charges as a misdemeanor instead of a felony.

• House Bill 2479 reduces the mandatory punishment for subsequent drug offenses.

• House Bill 2751 raises the threshold for property crimes to be charged as a felony to $1,000.

• House Bill 2753 enables a broader use of drug courts.

Fallin thanked the Legislature for passing the measures.

“Oklahoma’s drug possession sentences have filled our prisons to over capacity,” she said. “These sentences, while well intentioned, tend to send some nonviolent offenders into prison for years and years, where they live alongside violent offenders whose bad influences can make nonviolent offenders worse.”

Sen. Wayne Shaw, R-Grove, said it is more effective and economical to divert some offenders.

“Drug courts work because those participating must undergo treatment. Those who didn’t graduate must complete their GED. They go to work. In short, they are much more likely to become productive members of society than those who are simply incarcerated with even worse criminals.”