Paul DeMarco: Revolving door effect in Alabama's courts leads to more crime victims

By Paul DeMarco

It’s September and there are less than five months until the next legislative session in Alabama.

Therefore, lawmakers will begin preparing for the next session and focus on what bills they will pre-file before returning to Montgomery. Last year, gambling took up a large portion of the session, although it never received final approval. But lawmakers are already talking about Alabama's criminal justice system and what needs to be done to increase public safety.

Every week, the headlines highlight the failings in our state that lead to more crime victims. First, nine shootings recently occurred in Bessemer over one weekend, killing three of the victims. The suspect was out on bail after a Bessemer judge released him while he awaited trial on manslaughter charges in another shooting. In another case, a 42-year-old Birmingham man who pleaded guilty to raping and impregnating a 12-year-old was sentenced to 20 years in prison on a lesser charge and will be eligible for parole much sooner.

There are many issues that have led to the rise in violent crime, many of them complicated, like poverty and education. Others that can be addressed over time, like adequately funding law enforcement and putting more patrol officers on the streets.

What must be addressed immediately, however, is what is happening in Alabama's courtrooms. Violence in our state continues to rise, with no end in sight. One problem is the recidivism rate, which is a result of the revolving door movement in Alabama's courtrooms. As long as there is no real truth in sentencing in Alabama, felons will continue to commit crimes and create new victims. Lawmakers must also address the discretion given to judges regarding bail and release of violent offenders. Voters must also pay attention to how important public safety is to judicial candidates and judges.

The people of Alabama deserve a criminal justice system that is similar to the federal system in that it ensures that someone convicted of a crime actually serves the majority of the time that a judge ultimately sentences them to. Alabama should follow this approach and ensure that crime victims and their families receive true justice.