(Abdul–Rahman Oladimeji Bello, Headline USA) Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis bolstered his conservative credentials this week, signing new crime bills designed to reduce crime and crack down on egregious offenders.
According to a Daily Wire report, the bills signed on Monday targeted bail reforms pushed by Democrat prosecutors, increased penalties for fentanyl traffickers and death penalties for certain crimes against children.
“Florida is a law-and-order state with a 50-year record low crime rate and double-digit year-over-year decreases in murder, burglary, and overall crime,” DeSantis said in a statement. “For three consecutive legislative sessions, we have enacted tough-on-crime policies, and this year we are continuing to implement measures to protect our communities and keep Florida safe, with a particular emphasis on keeping criminals in jail and throwing the book at pedophiles.”
House Bill 1627 addresses bail reforms through several actions. One of these includes a requirement of the Florida Supreme Court to create a singular statewide bond schedule by the end of the year.
The bill forbids judges from setting an amount lower than the uniform state bond. Moreso, it prohibits the release of appellants before a first court appearance if arrested for violent crimes or any of the state’s “dangerous crimes.”
Bill 1359 increases penalties for rainbow fentanyl traffickers. Traffickers of this substance are now eligible for a life sentence. It also imposes a minimum of 25-year sentence with a penalty of $1 million. Hence, possession, distribution, or manufacturing of fentanyl or other controlled substances in the form of candy is now a first-degree felony.
The third bill signed by DeSantis, House Bill 1297, imposes the death penalty on criminals who “commit sexual battery against children under the age of 12,” according to the governor’s office.
DeSantis has stated that thinks the Supreme Court would be open to a challenge on a 2008 ruling where the court ruled against the execution of child rapists.
DeSantis noted that he is ready to take the fight to the Supreme Court “to overrule judicial precedents which have unjustly shielded child rapists from the death penalty and denied victims and their loved ones the opportunity to pursue ultimate justice against these most heinous criminals.”
