3.24.09 -- FAMM Begins Work in New State: Nevada Campaign Off to a Good Start!
FAMM recently began working to reform a variety of Nevada’s mandatory minimum laws. This work already has paid off, and a bill was introduced by Assemblyman Bernie Anderson, on behalf of the Assembly Judiciary Committee, on Monday, March 23, 2009.
What does the bill do? The bill, AB 498, would allow a court to sentence below the mandatory minimum when he or she deems it to be appropriate, after considering the facts and circumstances of the crime, the individual’s criminal history, the impact of the crime on any victim, any mitigating factors, and any other relevant information.
What crimes are covered by the bill? In Nevada, mandatory minimum sentences only apply to certain crimes, including many drug and property offenses. AB 498 would allow a court to impose a sentence below the mandatory minimum sentence set by law for some, but not all, crimes that have mandatory minimum sentences, including drug trafficking, drug conspiracy, repeat burglaries, and repeat gaming offenses. AB498 would not apply to crimes against children, sexual offenses, crimes against the person (murder, assault, domestic violence, etc.), and drunk driving offenses.
What can I do to help? Please ask members of the Assembly Judiciary Committee to support the passage of AB498. There are fourteen members of the Assembly Judiciary Committee. After each call or email, please be sure to provide us feedback on the response that you received.
The members of the Assembly Judiciary Committee are Representatives Bernie Anderson, Tick Segerblom, Marilyn Dondero Loop, William Horne, Ruben Kihuen, Mark Manendo, Harry Mortenson, James Ohrenschall, Bonnie Parnell, John Carpenter, Ty Cobb, Don Gustavson, John Hambrick, and Richard McArthur. To contact Assembly Judiciary Committee members, call the Nevada Legislature at:
From Northern Nevada: (775) 684-6800
From Southern Nevada: (775) 486-2626
Toll Free: (800) 978-2878
Alternatively, you may go to http://www.leg.state.nv.us/75th2009/legislators/Assembly/alist.cfm for direct phone line numbers and e-mail addresses.
What should I say when I call or email? While you may personalize your message to legislators, below is a sample message you can give to legislators:
- I am a member of Nevada Families Against Mandatory Minimums and I support AB 498, a bill to reform our state’s harsh mandatory minimum sentencing laws. The bill would allow courts to tailor an appropriate sentence after considering the facts of the crime, the person’s prior criminal record, and the impact of the crime on any victim. I ask you to support AB 498 because it will save the state money and promote proportionately in sentencing.
Be sure to let FAMM know how your call is received. Email Deborah Fleischaker at dfleischaker@famm.org after you make your calls.