State Lawmakers Mull Sentencing Reforms

Sentencing guidelines in Michigan would be updated to include criminal intent when smaller crimes are committed under legislation working its way through Lansing.

Right now not every statute takes into account if someone meant to break the law.

The legislation would change that by putting a default criminal intent standard in place.

Michael Reitz, with the Mackinac Center, says the intent to commit a crime plays a key role in deciding if someone is guilty.

One bill passed the House in September and awaits a hearing in a Senate committee.

A companion bill introduced in the Senate in January is also before a Senate committee.

Lawmakers are currently on Thanksgiving break. They’ll return to the Capitol on December 1st.