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After yesterday’s bill signings, there’s been a lot of interest in Michigan’s #CriminalJustice reforms. Our state has become a leader in this space over the last two years — proving that reform is possible.
Here’s what we’ve been up to
Here’s what we’ve been up to
In April of 2019, as one of our first major initiatives after taking office, we launched the Michigan Joint Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration to conduct a data-driven review of our jail system. https://www.mlive.com/news/2019/04/whitmer-creates-bipartisan-task-force-to-study-michigans-jails-court-system.html
In May of 2019, Governor Whitmer signed 3 bills to limit civil asset forfeiture and protect the property of people who haven’t been convicted of a crime. https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2019/05/09/gretchen-whitmer-signs-bills-limit-asset-forfeiture-drug-cases/1155329001/
Also in May of 2019, Governor Whitmer signed 4 bills into law to extend parole for medically frail prisoners. https://www.mlive.com/news/2019/05/whitmer-signs-bills-to-parole-medically-frail-prisoners.html
In October of 2019, Governor signed 18 bills as part of the “Raise the Age” package to raise the age of who is considered an adult in the criminal justice from 17 to 18 years old. https://www.michiganradio.org/post/gov-whitmer-signs-bills-raising-age-michigans-juvenile-offenders
On January 14, 2020, we delivered 18 recommendations from the Michigan Joint Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration to the legislature. https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2020/01/14/michigan-jail-reform-criminal-justice/4434827002/
In May of 2020, Michigan cleared the way for wrongfully convicted people to seek compensation under the Wrongful Imprisonment Compensation Fund. https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2020/03/gov-gretchen-whitmer-signs-bills-clearing-obstacle-for-wrongful-imprisonment-claims.html
In October of 2020, Governor Whitmer signed the “Clean Slate” bill package into law to provide hundreds of thousands of Michiganders with the opportunity for expungement. https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-government/whitmer-signs-clean-slate-michigan-allowing-automatic-felony-expungement
Before Christmas, Governor Whitmer used her clemency powers to give people a second chance. https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2020/12/22/michigan-prisoner-commutations-clemency-whitmer/4005236001/
Yesterday, Governor Whitmer signed 20 bills into law that resulted from the Michigan Joint Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration. https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2021/01/04/michigan-whitmer-criminal-justice-law-2021/4133842001/
These bills will prioritize alternatives to jail, expand officer discretion to issue appearance tickets rather than make arrests, and reshape penalties for traffic offenses. #StandTALL
We also passed and signed into law the “Good Moral Character” bill package to create more employment opportunities for incarcerated individuals to reduce recidivism. https://www.wilx.com/content/news/Whitmer-takes-steps-to-help-returning-citizens-join-the-workforce-in-well-paying-professions--510825051.html
We also passed and signed into law an expansion of the Clean Slate bill package to provide expungement opportunities for kids, so that they don’t bear the burden of past mistakes. https://www.wxyz.com/news/heres-a-list-of-newly-signed-bills-expanding-criminal-justice-reform-in-michigan
Lastly, Governor Whitmer signed a few juvenile justice reforms into law. https://www.wxyz.com/news/heres-a-list-of-newly-signed-bills-expanding-criminal-justice-reform-in-michigan
It’s been a busy few years, but these changes will benefit people for a long time.
I’m ready to see what we can do in the next two years to make sure our families, neighborhoods, and communities are safer and stronger. #StandTALL
I’m ready to see what we can do in the next two years to make sure our families, neighborhoods, and communities are safer and stronger. #StandTALL
