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Feb. 22, 2019Jefferson City, Missouri |  By: AP

Houses passes bill to reduce sentencing for nonviolent crimes

Missouri judges could ignore mandatory minimum
sentencing laws for some nonviolent offenders under a bill passed by the state
House.

House members yesterday, voted 140-17 to pass the bill. It now heads to the
Senate, where Republican Majority Leader Caleb Rowden says members understand
its significance as part of a broader push to revamp the criminal justice
system.

Republican Representative Cody Smith's bill would give judges the discretion to offer
more lenient sentences than what's currently allowed by law. Legislative
researchers estimate it could mean about 466 fewer prisoners per year and save
the state as much as $3 million.

The bill wouldn't allow for reduced sentences in cases of violent crimes,
sexual crimes against minors or crimes involving guns.