Sheryl M. Delozier
10/07/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/07/2024 13:49
House Republicans Announce Package to Bolster Prosecution to Continue Fight Against Crime
Oct. 07, 2024
HARRISBURG - Today, members of the Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus unveiled the third pillar of its four-pillared approach to tackling violent crime in the Commonwealth.
The bills are focused on effective prosecution and are authored by Reps. Sheryl M. Delozier (R-Cumberland), Tim Bonner (R-Mercer/Butler), Torren Ecker (R-Adams/Cumberland) and Valerie Gaydos (R-Allegheny).
Rep. Delozier's bill would allow for prosecutors within the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General (OAG) to be requested by county district attorney offices to supplement and enhance their staff in the event additional resources are necessary. This initiative would bring great assistance to counties and provide law enforcement another tool to do their job.
"We must give our prosecutors the tools they need to fight for justice for victims of crime," said Delozier. "My bill would accomplish that by allowing highly trained OAG prosecutors, upon request, to temporarily help county district attorney offices. Staffing shortages are often unexpected, and some cases take more staff hours than anticipated. My initiative would help ensure the justice system works as intended."
Rep. Bonner's legislation aims to end the lack of statewide uniformity on the availability of bail, as his bill would expand the role of the Pennsylvania Sentencing Commission by charging it with publishing guidelines for the availability of bail and conditions for pretrial release of defendants.
"Some of the most violent jurisdictions in our Commonwealth are granting bail very liberally. That is not only baffling but also potentially risky," Bonner said. "Clear guidelines provided by the Sentencing Commission will insure much-needed transparency and uniformity in the bail process."
Rep. Ecker's bill would create a public registry, similar to that of Megan's Law, to account for severe violent offenders in the Commonwealth. Additionally, Ecker's bill creates pathways to counseling for convicted people to work their way back into society.
"In addition to the registry aspect, my legislation includes a component that requires violent offenders to undergo anti-violence counseling services," Ecker said. "Getting convicted violent offenders the help they need would decrease recidivism while further protecting our neighbors from acts of violence."
Rep. Gaydos' legislation would strengthen our bail system to further protect the public from violent crime. This legislation would empower our judges to make decisions that prioritize public safety, not just whether a defendant poses a flight risk. The bill would not strip anyone of their constitutional rights. It ensures the justice system takes seriously the need to protect public safety.
"Families across the state deserve to feel safe in their neighborhoods, confident the justice system is protecting them," said Gaydos. "Our judicial system can no longer be a revolving door for violent criminals. This legislation will empower our judges to prioritize public safety, not just whether a defendant poses a flight risk."
You can view the co-sponsor's memos here.
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
House Republican Caucus
Delozier Media Contact: Katelin Morrison [email protected]
Bonner Media Contact: Tim Craine [email protected]
Ecker Media Contact: Greg Gross [email protected]
Gaydos Media Contact: Rick Leiner [email protected]
The bills are focused on effective prosecution and are authored by Reps. Sheryl M. Delozier (R-Cumberland), Tim Bonner (R-Mercer/Butler), Torren Ecker (R-Adams/Cumberland) and Valerie Gaydos (R-Allegheny).
Rep. Delozier's bill would allow for prosecutors within the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General (OAG) to be requested by county district attorney offices to supplement and enhance their staff in the event additional resources are necessary. This initiative would bring great assistance to counties and provide law enforcement another tool to do their job.
"We must give our prosecutors the tools they need to fight for justice for victims of crime," said Delozier. "My bill would accomplish that by allowing highly trained OAG prosecutors, upon request, to temporarily help county district attorney offices. Staffing shortages are often unexpected, and some cases take more staff hours than anticipated. My initiative would help ensure the justice system works as intended."
Rep. Bonner's legislation aims to end the lack of statewide uniformity on the availability of bail, as his bill would expand the role of the Pennsylvania Sentencing Commission by charging it with publishing guidelines for the availability of bail and conditions for pretrial release of defendants.
"Some of the most violent jurisdictions in our Commonwealth are granting bail very liberally. That is not only baffling but also potentially risky," Bonner said. "Clear guidelines provided by the Sentencing Commission will insure much-needed transparency and uniformity in the bail process."
Rep. Ecker's bill would create a public registry, similar to that of Megan's Law, to account for severe violent offenders in the Commonwealth. Additionally, Ecker's bill creates pathways to counseling for convicted people to work their way back into society.
"In addition to the registry aspect, my legislation includes a component that requires violent offenders to undergo anti-violence counseling services," Ecker said. "Getting convicted violent offenders the help they need would decrease recidivism while further protecting our neighbors from acts of violence."
Rep. Gaydos' legislation would strengthen our bail system to further protect the public from violent crime. This legislation would empower our judges to make decisions that prioritize public safety, not just whether a defendant poses a flight risk. The bill would not strip anyone of their constitutional rights. It ensures the justice system takes seriously the need to protect public safety.
"Families across the state deserve to feel safe in their neighborhoods, confident the justice system is protecting them," said Gaydos. "Our judicial system can no longer be a revolving door for violent criminals. This legislation will empower our judges to prioritize public safety, not just whether a defendant poses a flight risk."
You can view the co-sponsor's memos here.
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
House Republican Caucus
Delozier Media Contact: Katelin Morrison [email protected]
Bonner Media Contact: Tim Craine [email protected]
Ecker Media Contact: Greg Gross [email protected]
Gaydos Media Contact: Rick Leiner [email protected]
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