Melissa's Law took effect on Aug 2, 2012.
The new Massachusetts habitual offender law is Chapter 192 of the Acts of 2012.
The new Massachusetts habitual offender law is Chapter 192 of the Acts of 2012.
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> Summary, details & text of the
Habitual Offender Law here.
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> List of violent crimes which eliminate
parole after three or more convictions here
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> Study finds bill will imprison few,
cost little; proves opponents wrong here
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> News articles & Editorials here
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"Government's responsibility for the public safety is absolute.” - Churchill
more Quotes on crime, justice & public safety here
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To violent criminals and their apologists who complain that Melissa's Law is too harsh, I say:
"If you can't do the time, don't do the crime!"
If you don't want to go to prison under this law, then take responsibility for your actions and refrain from committing multiple acts of violence. It's that simple." - Les Gosule: 8/2/12
Read Les Gosule's full statement here.
Habitual Offender Law here.
.
> List of violent crimes which eliminate
parole after three or more convictions here
.
> Study finds bill will imprison few,
cost little; proves opponents wrong here
.
> News articles & Editorials here
.
.
"Government's responsibility for the public safety is absolute.” - Churchill
more Quotes on crime, justice & public safety here
.
To violent criminals and their apologists who complain that Melissa's Law is too harsh, I say:
"If you can't do the time, don't do the crime!"
If you don't want to go to prison under this law, then take responsibility for your actions and refrain from committing multiple acts of violence. It's that simple." - Les Gosule: 8/2/12
Read Les Gosule's full statement here.
A brief history of Melissa's Law:
July 11, 1999: Melissa Gosule was raped and murdered by a 27-time convicted career criminal.
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2000- 2010: Melissa's Bill was introduced in each legislative session. The earliest lead sponsors were Governor Paul Cellucci, Rep. Brad Hill, Middlesex DA Gerry Leone, Plymouth DA Michael Sullivan, and state Sen Scott Brown. Hearings were held, but the bill stayed locked up in Judiciary committee chaired by Rep. Eugene O'Flaherty.
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Dec. 26, 2010: Woburn police officer John Maguire was murdered by Dominic Cinelli, a 74-time convicted violent felon under three life sentences. Cinelli was free on parole.
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Jan. 2011: House and Senate versions of Melissa's Bill reintroduced with 86 legislative co-sponsors. 2011-12 chief sponsors were Rep. Brad Hill, Rep. Jim Dwyer, Sen Bruce Tarr, and Sen. Steven Baddour. Both bills remained locked up by O'Flaherty in the Judiciary Committee, despite overwhelming legislative and public support.
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November, 2011: Senate Ways & Means bypassed O'Flaherty and reported out its own bill which was approved unanimously by the full Senate. The full House then approved a narrower version of Melissa's Bill (see how your State Rep voted).
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Nov 2011- July 2012: House-Senate conference committee negotiated final compromise version of Melissa's Bill.
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July 18, 2012: The full House voted 139-14 in favor of the bill (how your State Rep. voted)
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July 19, 2012: the full Senate voted 31-7 in favor of the bill. (These Senators voted against the Bill: Brownsberger, Chang-Diaz, Creem, Eldridge, Fargo, Jehlen, Wolf. All others voted for the Bill).
..July 19, 2012: the full Senate voted 31-7 in favor of the bill. (These Senators voted against the Bill: Brownsberger, Chang-Diaz, Creem, Eldridge, Fargo, Jehlen, Wolf. All others voted for the Bill).
July 28, 2012: Governor Deval Patrick sent the bill back seeking an amendment to weaken the bill, which both houses rejected on July 30.
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August 2, 2012: The Governor signed the bill into law. Melissa's Law became effective immediately upon signing.
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“Whoever has been convicted three or more times of an enumerated violent offense shall be considered a habitual offender and shall be punished by incarceration at a state prison for the maximum term provided by law. No sentence thus imposed shall be reduced or suspended, nor shall such person be eligible for probation, parole, work release or furlough.”
-- Melissa’s Law: Chapter 192 of the Acts of 2012
