Letter to the Editor

Over my ten years as your District Attorney I could not help but notice the number of people who continue to commit crimes over and over again. With the Walt releases currently being given by the Pardon and Parole Board and the commutations signed by the Governor, it seems that people who commit these crimes spend only a few months in jail before being released.

Now State Question 805 is trying to take away the one tool we have left to stop the repeat criminal from victimizing the public over and over again. The use of a criminal’s past is the best way to teach these criminals that crime does not pay. It holds them accountable for their life of crime. A first or even a second time non-violent offender does not need to worry about 805 because in almost every case a prior conviction is used to create a larger jail incarceration after the third time they have been caught violating the law. Even with that, the law provides them other opportunities to turn their life around without a lengthy prison sentence.

State Question 895 will be a change to the Oklahoma Constitution. It will make it impossible for the legislature to fix any problems that 805 creates. It will allow criminals in prison to get out of prison even earlier by wiping out sentences given them by juries and Judges. Victims will once again be victimized by forcing them once again to go to court only to see the sentences reduced by those who victimized them.

What is the logic that a firsttime drug dealers range of punishment is 0 - 7 years when under 805 a ten time convicted drug dealers range of punishment would also be 9 - 10 years? Why is it appropriate that a jury under 805 would not know of a defendant’s criminal history when they are considering the appropriate sentence to impose? Why do people feel that we as citizens of the State of Oklahoma should give those who repeatedly victimize our fellow citizens this incredible advantage?

The supporters of 805, many from outside of Oklahoma, have poured millions of dollars into Oklahoma to help try to pass 805. They have put ad after ad on the television stations. They have mis-stated the facts and are trying to convince you that 895 will save hundreds of millions of dollars. It won’t. What it will do is cause tens of thousands of Oklahomans to be these nonviolent offenders next victims. Whether it would be domestic violence, robbing of homes and cars, victimizing children, driving drunk, injuring pets or selling drugs, these new victims are going to be forced to suffer because we gave the career criminals out there the chance to offend again.

Is this the type of criminal justice reform we want in Oklahoma? I know the answer is NO!!! Please vote No on State Question 805!!!

Brian Hermanson

Kay and Noble County

District Attorney