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State of Oklahoma

Posted: Feb 28, 2019 7:00 AMUpdated: Feb 28, 2019 7:00 AM

Coleman Backs Reform Measure

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Charlie Taraboletti
Oklahomans serve, on average, nearly 70 percent longer for property crimes and 80 percent longer for drug crimes than the national average. This is mainly due to the state's "habitual offender" statute that can double and triple sentence lengths, and often increases the maximum term to life. Sen. Bill Coleman of Ponca City wants to address this issue by modifying convictions for second felony offenses of nonviolent offenders. 
 
The Senate Appropriations Committee unanimously approved Senate Bill 287 Wednesday.
 
The legislation has strong public support. An October 2018 poll by Oklahomans for Criminal Justice Reform found that 66 percent of Oklahoma voters believe habitual offender enhancements should only be applied when a person's current offense is violent. 
 
 Senate Bill 287 will next be heard by the full Senate.

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