The state Legislature’s Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing Monday, March 14 on bills meant to strengthen penalties for juveniles who steal cars or commit other serious offenses, State Rep. Terrie Wood said in an email to constituents.
You can get on the list of those testifying to the committee if you register online by 3 p.m., Sunday, Wood said.
Police department officials in Darien and elsewhere have said weak state laws regarding juveniles charged with crimes has made it difficult to deter them from committing more.
Full Text of Wood’s Announcement
Darienite.com received this announcement at 11:30 a.m., Friday:
There are two legislative proposals that are having public hearings early next week that are important to Norwalk and Darien as well as communities across the state.
I encourage all interested to submit written testimony and/or give virtual testimony.
One, the rise in crime, especially juvenile crime, across Connecticut is a growing concern in all 169 cities and towns. Vehicles — locked and unlocked — are being ransacked and stolen, and innocent victims have been carjacked while getting gas.
The House Republican Caucus understands your frustration with the misguided policies that are putting criminals back on the streets within hours of an arrest. Police officers say there’s nothing they can do until the laws are changed.
You can read the details of the legislative proposals by clicking the image below.
HB 5418- AN ACT REVISING JUVENILE AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE STATUTES AND INSURANCE STATUTES CONCERNING THEFT OF A MOTOR VEHICLE – will, among other things:
- Require a judge to order DCF to conduct a family investigation when a juvenile is charged with: a felony, a Class A Misdemeanor, a charge resulting from loss of life or serious physical injury, a sexual assault, a serious juvenile offense, or an offense involving use of a firearm
- Require an automatic transfer to adult court for juveniles thirteen years or older charged with committing a class A felony a class B felony resulting in death, a violent sexual assault or a violent crime involving use of a firearm
- Require juvenile matters be adjudicated in the district where the crime is alleged to have been committed
- Require the state Judicial Department to report about its many juvenile diversionary programs, including an overview of each particular program, its costs, as well as its success in reducing recidivism
Judiciary Registration will close on Sunday, March 13, 2022 at 3:00 P.M.
The Judiciary Committee will hold a public hearing on Monday, March 14, 2022 at 10 a.m., via Zoom.
The public hearing can be viewed via YouTube Live. In addition, the public hearing may be recorded and broadcast live on CT-N.com.
Individuals who wish to testify via Zoom must register using the On-line Testimony Registration Form.
Registration will close on Sunday, March 13, 2022 at 3 p.m. Speaker order of approved registrants will be posted on the Judiciary Committee website on Sunday, March 13, 2022 at 6 p.m. under Public Hearing Testimony.
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Other recent news from Wood: She’s running for the Republican nomination for Secretary of the State.