8/31/06
Victory in NC! Harsh gang bill, mandatory minimums stopped
As North Carolina's legislative session drew to a close, FAMM and several partner organizations halted a broadly written anti-gang bill (H.50) that would have made children as young as 12 subject to harsh mandatory minimum penalties. This "get tough" bill seemed poised for passage, despite its adverse affect on communities of color and youth across the state. Due to ongoing efforts by FAMM and over 30 political and organizational leaders, as well as legislators' concerns about the massive price tag, the measure was not taken up in this session.
Before this victory, FAMM readied alternative language that narrowed the bill's scope so that only the most culpable people would be affected. The alternative language reduced the likelihood that youth of color would be unfairly targeted for excessive punishments for minor gang-related conduct. FAMM and its partners met with lawmakers and discussed the alternative language, building legislative support for a more thoughtful approach. Work to modify the bill will continue in the coming months.
FAMM is grateful for the support of Dr. David Forbes, chairman of the Lost Generation Task Force (LGTF); Irvine Joyner, law professor and co-chairman of the LGTF; Holly Bryan, attorney at the N.C. Academy of Trial Lawyers; Carnell Robinson, president of the N.C. Black Leadership Caucus; and many other professional and grassroots organizations who worked diligently to develop alternative language. Many thanks to the individuals who laid the groundwork for this victory by participating in FAMM's roundtable on gangs in April. This was a well-deserved victory for the North Carolina team, including FAMM lobbyist, Randolph Cloud.
Other updates
In the waning days of the 2006 Session, the House Judiciary Committee passed two bills supported by FAMM and sponsored by Rep. Phil Haire (D-?). These bills, H.1187 - Restructure Prior Criminal Record Points, and H.1215 - Adjust B1-E Felony Penalties were options presented by the NC Sentencing Commission several years ago but up to now had been opposed by district attorneys across the state. The bills were modified in 2006 and received support from the district attorneys but the full House failed to act on the bills.