Issue Position: Criminal Justice

Issue Position

NJ must continue to update the state's criminal justice system. There are several important reforms that should be passed. Firstly, drug offenders need to be given more help than punishment. I am not a proponent of legalizing any currently illicit substances. However, there are a plethora of reasons why people use drugs. Instead of incarcerating these people for a first or second offense, mandatory rehab sentences should be imposed to rehabilitate them. Secondly, punishment for more serious crimes needs to be more severe; with criminals serving more of their sentences before being paroled. Lastly, NJ needs to follow other states and change the laws regarding DWI charges. DWI statutes should be moved from the motor vehicle code to the criminal code, and the consequences must be more severe. Drunk driving kills and injures NJ residents all too often, and there is no reason to drive while impaired.

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