MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG
Mo. Digital News
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Mo. Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG
Mo. Digital News
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Mo. Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
| Intro: |
A St. Louis defense attorney says he hopes a new sentencing approach is fair for everyone in Missouri. Ben Wagner has more from Jefferson City. |
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| RunTime: | 0:43 |
| OutCue: | SOC |
Wrap: Missouri sentencing commission have added the cost of sentences for judges to consider in sentencing criminals.
The program hopes to reduce repeat offenders as well as decrease the dollar amount for Missouri taxpayers.
St. Louis defense attorney Travis Noble says the program may put elected Missouri judges at a disadvantage.
| Actuality: | NOBLE1.WAV |
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| Run Time: | 00:14 |
| Description: "I think that it's tough in out-state Missouri where you have elected judges where they're sometimes concerned about a record. When they have to run against somebody, there's always the concern somebody is going to say they're soft on crime." | |
Noble says any additional information is a good thing, but judges should not have to worry about re-election in sentencing criminals.
From the State Capitol, I'm Ben Wagner.
| Intro: |
As Missouri struggles with budget shortfalls, lawmakers are looking to cut costs anywhere they can. But could economics interfere with safety? Ben Wagner has more from Jefferson City |
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| RunTime: | 0:47 |
| OutCue: | SOC |
Wrap: Missouri judges now have the ability to see the cost of sentencing a criminal to either prison or parole.
The state sentencing commission says a year in prison costs Missouri taxpayers more than 16-thousand dollars but a year of probation costs the state about 13-hundred dollars.
St. Louis defense attorney Travis Noble is confident Missouri judges would not put cost over safety.
| Actuality: | NOBLE3.WAV |
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| Run Time: | 00:14 |
| Description: "We leave it to the judges now to make the determinations as to sentencing. I just do not believe we have judges in this state that would put economics over public safety." | |
Noble says the program is a good balance between reducing the growing prison population and cutting costs.
He says he hopes other states are soon to follow.
From the State Capitol, I'm Ben Wagner.