The last thing we need is the increase in any mandatory minimum. Longer punishment is not a deterrent and does not make us safer. Let's deal with the factors that create conditions ripe for manslaughter; harsher punishments are not associated with less crime. Warehousing people for longer does not serve any of the public - in fact it results in returning citizens who are MORE debilitated. Our country does NOT need to be one of the world leaders in incarceration like it is. Let's invest our dollars in prevention; not paying for people to stay in prison longer. We strongly oppose this law.

I oppose HB99 and HB102. Both bills increase mandatory minimums and penalties. That removes discretion from judges and replaces it with rigid sentencing. Judges are in the best position to weigh facts, intent, and risk. Mandatory minimums block that judgment, even when a different outcome would better serve public safety. Harsher penalties do not reduce crime. We have decades of data showing that sentence increases expand incarceration without changing behavior. These policies shift power to charging decisions, not the courtroom. They push people into pleas driven by fear of extreme sentences. Virginia does not need more mandatory minimums. We need sentencing that fits the person and the conduct. For these reasons, I urge opposition to HB99 and HB102.

I write in Support of Delegate Ballard's HB 102. Currently, Voluntary Manslaughter has the same penalty as much lesser crimes and is punishable only as a Class 5 Felony (10 year punishment). This means that in Virginia, a person can receive more jail time for stealing a check or credit card than killing someone. This Bill would bring the punishment more in line with the offense. I request that the House vote in favor of HB 102.