Maine’s Democratic governor vetoes bid to end ‘three strikes’ law for petty theft

2024-12-26 00:37:56 source:lotradecoin comparison category:Markets

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine’s Democratic governor has vetoed a proposal to end the state’s “three strikes” law for people convicted of petty thefts.

The proposal, from Democratic Rep. David Sinclair, sought to set a threshold for theft by a repeat offender. Sinclair’s proposal stated that a person with two or more prior convictions would not be charged with a felony if they committed theft of property valued at $500 or less.

Gov. Janet Mills vetoed the proposal Tuesday. Mills wrote in her veto message that the proposal would “make Maine an outlier among New England states.”

Mills also wrote that retail theft is “a serious problem in Maine” and that the proposal to alter the three strikes rule could possibly make it worse. Preventing prosecutors from being able to charge a third theft as a felony “will take away an important tool to hold people accountable,” wrote Mills, a former state attorney general.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Maine was among the supporters of the proposal. Michael Kebede, a policy counsel with the group, testified that it “would ensure that our criminal codes are more proportionate to the conduct they seek to punish.”

More:Markets

Recommend

'Mary': How to stream, what biblical experts think about Netflix's new coming

Netflix's new original film based one of Christianity's most important stories premiered just in tim

AP Week in Pictures: North America

May 17-23, 2024Severe weather caused damage in Houston and Iowa this week. Boys held candles in a Ca

Norfolk Southern agrees to $310 million settlement in Ohio train derailment and spill

EAST PALESTINE, Ohio – Norfolk Southern agreed to pay more than $310 million to resolve a U.S. gover