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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 1998.12.10 - 25296Chairperson, on behalf of -the General Government Committee, I move acceptance of the foregoing report. ENERAL UOVERNMENT COMMITT REPORT (Misc. 498254) December 10, 1998 BY: GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE, NANCY DINGELDEY, CHAIRPERSON IN RE: MR #98254 - MANDATORY IMPRISONMENT WITHOUT PAROLE FOR SEXUALLY ASSAULTING CHILDREN TO THE OAKLAND COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen: The General Government Committee, having considered the above- referenced resolution on November 30, 1998, reports with the recommendation that the resolution be adopted. GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE VOTE: Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. Miscellaneous Resolution #98 2 54 BY: Commissioners Shelley G. Taub, District #12; Frank H. Millard, Jr., District #4; John P. McCulloch, District #22; Fran Amos, District #5; Thomas A. Law, District #13; Dan Devine, Jr., District #14; Kay Schmid, District #17; John Garfied, District #9; Robert J. Hoffman, District #10; Donald W. Jensen, District #15 RE: Mandatory Imprisonment without Parole for Sexually Assaulting Children TO: Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen: WHEREAS, one of lifes most precious treasures, our children, are far too frequently the innocent victims of cruelty inflicted upon them by heartless, violent criminals; and WHEREAS, in 1997, in order to stem the tide of convicts being released years before serving their mandatory sentence, the State of New Jersey passed legislation, commonly referred to as "Joan's Law"-- named after seven year old Joan D'Allessandro who was abducted, sexually assaulted and murdered while delivering Girl Scout cookies. This law prohibits parole for sex offenders who assault and kill children under the age of fourteen; and WHEREAS, in 1998, the New Jersey State legislature introduced Senate Bill #783 and Assembly Bill #1740, which require that a person who is convicted of the heinous crime of sexually assaulting a child, be sentenced to a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment without eligibility for parole; and WHEREAS, recognizing that the deviant behavior of pedophiles may not be "cured," it is in the best interest of the public safety of our children that legislation be enacted that mandates a prison term of life without parole for the person who causes the death of a child in the commission of a sexual assault; and WHEREAS, eliminating the possibility of parole also relieves the families of the innocent victims from the horror of having to relive their personal tragedy every few years at parole hearings; and WHEREAS, eliminating the possibility of parole acts to prevent other families from falling victim to the convicted criminal's repeat behavior. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Oakland County Board of Commissioners supports the "Joan's Law" that was adopted in New Jersey and its provision that molesters who murder children receive life without parole and supports the proposed New Jersey legislation, Senate Bill #783 and Assembly Bill #1740, which establishes mandatory minimum terms of imprisonment without parole eligibility for sexual assaults committed against children. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Oakland County Board of Commissioners urges that the Michigan State Legislature consider similar amendments to our parole system in order to eliminate the possibility of those convicted of sexually assaulting children of being eligible for early release and urges the Legislature to formulate legislation which mandates a life sentence without parole for those convicted of murdering a child during the assault. Mr. Chairperson, we move the adoption of the foregoing Resolution. Commissioner She11cV GJI'aub District #12 Commissioner Frank H. Millard, Jr. District #4 Commissioner Fran Amos District #5 Commissiorki John P. McCulloch District #22 I vliz ay Schmid Co Dist rrunissioner John Garffeld 1 I eiTH District #9 Commiisioner Donald W. District #15 • ' :fen WS. BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED THAT copies of this adopted resolution be forwarded to all Oakland County Legislators, Governor Engler, Michigan Association of Counties, and Oakland County's legislative agents. Commissioner Thomas a. Law District #13 Commissioder Robert J. Hoffman District #10 Commissioner Dan Devine, Jr. District #14 era Resolution #98254 October 15, 1998 The Chairperson referred the resolution to the General Government Committee. There were no objections. Resolution 498254 December 10, 1998 Moved by Dingeldey supported by Millard the General Government Committee Report be accepted. A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the report was accepted. Moved by Dingeldey supported by Millard the resolution be adopted. Discussion followed. AYES: Kaczmar, Law, McCulloch, McPherson, Millard, Moffitt, Obrecht, Palmer, Taub, Wolf, Amos, Coleman, Dingeldey, Douglas, Garfield, Gregory, Hoffman, Holbert, Huntoon, Jacobs, Jensen, Johnson. (22) NAYS: Kingzett. (1) A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the resolution was adopted. STATE OF MICHIGAN) COUNTY OF OAKLAND) I, G. William Caddell, Clerk of the County of Oakland, do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution is a true and accurate copy of a resolution adopted by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners on December 10, 1998 with the original record thereof now remaining in my office. In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the County of Oakland at Pontiac, Michigan thls / Oth day of.December, 1998. ,a04/ANI, G. William Caddell, County Clerk