OR Measure 61: Creates Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Some Crimes

CREATES MANDATORY MINIMUM PRISON SENTENCES FOR CERTAIN THEFT, IDENTITY THEFT, FORGERY, DRUG, AND BURGLARY CRIMES OR Elections: SUMMARY: Measure creates mandatory minimum prison sentences for specified crimes for which current law does not require mandatory minimums. Requires 36-month minimums for identity theft, first degree burglary, and Class A felony manufacture/delivery of methamphetamine, herion, cocaine, or methylenedioxymethamphetamine; 30-month minimums for Class B felony manufacture/delivery of same specified controlled substances. For offenders with one or more prior felony convictions, or two or more prior midemeanor convictions, measure requires 18-month minimums for first degree forgery, motor vehicle theft; 14-month minimums for first degree theft, second degree burglary. Prohibits reductions in sentences required by measure. Sentences must be served in state prisons, not in county jails. State must reimburse counties for pretrail incarceration costs for persons sentenced under measure. Other provisions.
[_] Yes	“Yes” vote creates mandatory minimum prison sentences for certain crimes, including burglary, forgery, theft, manufacture/delivery of methamphetamine, heroin, cocain, or methylenedioxymethamphetamine, under specified circumstances. "Yes": • OR "Family" Council • Victoria Taft
[X] No	“No” vote retains current law, which does not require that persons convicted of the crimes specified in the measure serve mandatory minimum prison sentences. EMO (pdf): ". . . Requiring long mandatory minimum sentences for several categories of non-violent, first-time offenders will impose tremendous costs upon taxpayers and reduce funding available for critical human needs programs that often help to reduce crime. . . ." "No": • WWeek • Portland Mercury • Just Out • The Oregonian • Portland Tribune • Basic Rights OR • ACLU (pdf) • OR Working Families Party • Ecumenical Ministries (pdf) • League of Women Voters • NARAL Pro-Choice • Jack Bogdanski

MY FIRST IMPRESSION: Leaning toward a no vote. Imposing mandatory minimums regardless of the state's budget seems irresponsible. Nor does it make sense to single-out a few criminal acts for mandatory minimums without considering the entire sentencing system.