(Jacob Bruns, Headline USA) In an attempt to preserve law and order in Florida as most states descend into total chaos, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has decided to target the fentanyl plague that has swept the nation.
DeSantis announced severe penalties for fentanyl and other drug-related crimes while taking shots at other states, which have followed more fashionable trends in recent years, Florida’s Voice reported.
“We are very proud that we are a law-and-order state. We’ve seen a lot of jurisdictions around this country indulge in what I would say are faddish thinking: attacking law enforcement, thinking that you can solve some of these problems through things like social services instead of police on the street when you have dangerous people,” the Republican governor said.
No city in Florida will become a get-out-of-jail-free zone. We are:
– Limiting who is eligible for release before 1st appearance
– Ensuring a judge is the decision-maker on detention
– Requiring pre-trial detention hearing for dangerous crimes
– Rejecting elimination of cash bail— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) January 26, 2023
Per DeSantis, if his proposal were accepted, it would be a first-class felony to possess, sell or manufacture fentanyl or other controlled substances to look like candy. In any instance in which children are targeted, there would be a $1 billion fine and an automatic life sentence.
DeSantis expressed his concern about the targeting of children specifically.
“They will jam fentanyl into almost anything nowadays, so they’ll actually do it and make it look like candy,” he said. “And we’re going to take action against this because this is really targeting our youngest and most vulnerable kids.”
The proposal also includes provisions for the sentencing of child rapists to life in prison without parole. DeSantis also wants to reinstate capital punishment for similar crimes against children.
In addition, DeSantis argued for the implementation of detention hearings for dangerous criminals before trial hearings, so that they can be detained and not allowed to wander about before being tried.
“If you are charged with something that’s really serious, I think that the expectation should be that you remain until your first appearance. We’re going to make sure that judges are the ultimate decision maker when it comes to detention,” he said.
