I am getting questions, verbally, from individuals in various settings. Although I've not been able to write these down at the time I will try my best to quote them accurately and supply my answers.
'I would like to see you support reduced statutes of limitations for some offenses. For instance, if a person gets a DUI it should not stay on their record forever. If they go without being stopped for the same offense over a period of three years it should be expunged.'
Ans: There is a good argument for this in some cases. I feel young people need to be given longer times before this would drop from their record, and that needs to be driven home early. Three years is not long enough. Ten years may be too long. At some point in time if the offense was 'comparatively minor' and there is not another episode then I do believe records should be cleaned after a certain time. Seven years might be a good gauge. This is such a touchy subject since it can have such a tragic consequence. More study should be done to evaluate what might fit best.
'Heroin is such an epidemic in Vermont and it is being treated wrong. It is an illness that needs to be treated. There is a drug that can be substituted for heroin that is not addictive and is meant for a short term solution. However, I know of instances where people have been on it ten, fifteen years, or more. This is not the way to solve the problem.'
Ans: This is a subject that needs medical experts to be involved in finding good solutions. I could give "opinions" here, but that would be all they are, and they would not be very valid in my book. I do agree that it is an illness that needs treatment and not incarceration. My part in any solution would be to gather a good cross section of medical experts and participate in finding good ways off of this family crushing drug.
'I would like to see you support reduced statutes of limitations for some offenses. For instance, if a person gets a DUI it should not stay on their record forever. If they go without being stopped for the same offense over a period of three years it should be expunged.'
Ans: There is a good argument for this in some cases. I feel young people need to be given longer times before this would drop from their record, and that needs to be driven home early. Three years is not long enough. Ten years may be too long. At some point in time if the offense was 'comparatively minor' and there is not another episode then I do believe records should be cleaned after a certain time. Seven years might be a good gauge. This is such a touchy subject since it can have such a tragic consequence. More study should be done to evaluate what might fit best.
'Heroin is such an epidemic in Vermont and it is being treated wrong. It is an illness that needs to be treated. There is a drug that can be substituted for heroin that is not addictive and is meant for a short term solution. However, I know of instances where people have been on it ten, fifteen years, or more. This is not the way to solve the problem.'
Ans: This is a subject that needs medical experts to be involved in finding good solutions. I could give "opinions" here, but that would be all they are, and they would not be very valid in my book. I do agree that it is an illness that needs treatment and not incarceration. My part in any solution would be to gather a good cross section of medical experts and participate in finding good ways off of this family crushing drug.