DES MOINES — Governor Kim Reynolds last week signed three crime-related bills, including a “three strikes” policy that requires mandatory seven-year-long prison sentences for anyone convicted of a third felony.
“Career criminals have too often cycled through the justice system with little accountability,” Reynolds said. “In fact, these repeat offenders are responsible for a third of the crime in our state and three-fourths of violent crime.” The policy replaces current law which calls for three-year prison sentences for habitual offenders, but judges have had the discretion to adjust or eliminate that prison time.
Reynolds signed two other bills in a ceremony in her Capitol office. One new law will not allow people charged with drug or violent crimes to be released without posting bail. The other ends warrant resolution clinics that let people with an arrest warrant sign a document, agreeing to appear in court. A woman who went to a clinic in Polk County in April is accused of murdering Ashley Marie Hall a few days later. Hall’s mother attended, but did not speak at the bill signing event. “Tawnya I want to offer our heartfelt condolences and commend you for being such a strong voice for your daughter during this really difficult time,” Reynolds said. “No law can make up for this unimageinable and preventable loss, but it serves as a powerful reminder that decisions made within our justice system have real consequences for real people.”…