Legislative criminal reforms face skepticism

State criminal law viewed with skepticism

A new Mississippi law either places stricter sentencing on felons or makes it easier to avoid becoming one, depending on who you ask.

Approved by Gov. Bryant on March 31, House Bill 585 mandates several changes to criminal law, including establishing “true minimums” for sentencing — violent criminals must serve 50 percent of their sentence and non-violent criminals must serve 25 percent before being considered for parole — and raising the monetary minimum of felony property crimes from $500 to $1,000.

Starkville Daily News
7/18/14