FOR YOUR CITIZEN VOLUNTEER WORK ON THE DWI TASK FORCE. >> TESTIFIER: THANK YOU >> CHAIR MARIANI: CHAIR LESCH;
WE HAVE HOUSE FILE 1061..
CHAIR LESCH I BELIEVE YOUR MOTION IS TO HAVE HOUSE FILE 106
0 1B RE-REFERRED TO THE
TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE.
>> REPRESENTATIVE LESCH: YES MR. CHAIR THAT IS MY MOTION >> CHAIR MARIANI: VERY WELL.
REPRESENTATIVE LESCH YOUR BILL IS BEFORE US. THE MOTION
TO BE REFERRED TO
TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
REPRESENTATIVE LESCH >> REPRESENTATIVE LESCH: THANK YOU MR. CHAIR.I THINK
MY TESTIFIERTO THIS
MUCH BETTER THAN I CAN. HOWEVER; I WOULD
NOTE THAT THIS BILL
STOPS DRIVERS
LICENSE SUSPENSION WHEN THE ONLY VIOLATION IS
TRAFFIC TICKETS AND ILLUMINATES THE ADDITIONAL SUSPENSION PERIOD
[INAUDIBLE
] OF PEOPLE WHO PAY THEIR FINES CAN YOU BACK TO WORK AND MAINTAINS A COLLECTION PROCESS. IT ALSO I
WOULD NOTE DOES NOT IMPACT SUSPENSIONS FOR DWI RECKLESS DRIVING OR
HABITUAL OFFENDERS.
BUT NOTING THAT MY TESTIFIERS CAN SPEAK IS BETTER
THAN ME I WOULD ASK YOU TO
PUT THEM TO SPEAK TO THIS. >> CHAIR MARIANI: VERY WELL CHAIR LESCH. WEBER WANTS TO START BEGIN JUST
INTRODUCE YOURSELF FOR
THE RECORD AND BEGIN
YOUR TESTIMONY. >> TESTIFIER: THANK YOU MR. CHAIR MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE. MY NAME IS LEAH JACKSON.
[INAUDIBLE] I LIVE
IN MINNEAPOLIS. I'M A SERVER BARTENDER AND OURS DAN
CE INSTRUCTOR.. THANK FOR THE CHANCE FOR ME TO TALK ABOUT HOW THIS DRIVING SUSPENSION
HAVE CAUSED
SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON ME BOTH FINANCIALLY AND OCCUPATIONAL. SO BACK IN 2014 IN OCTOBER I WAS TAKING A LEFT TURN AT A GREEN LIGHT
AND I PULLED OUT INTO
THE INTERSECTION LIKE I WAS TAUGHT HOW
TO DO AND I WAS WAITING FOR THE
BREAKING TRAFFIC GIVING ME THE TIME TO TURN
BUT AS THE LIGHT TURNED YELLOW EVERYONE STARTED SPEED UP AND DID NOT GIVE ME THAT TIME. SO WHEN I WAS SITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO GO. WHEN THE LIGHT WAS
ALREADY READ. I WAS PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY AND I WAS
TOLD THAT THAT WAS ILLEGAL.
I WAS GIVEN A TICKET FOR OBSTRUCTING TRAFFIC AT THE INTERSECTION OF THE SQUARE BOX.
ORIGINALLY THAT WAS $135 TICKET WAS 20 AT
THE TIME. I JUST GOT A
NEW JOB AS A STORE MANAGER
. I WAS ACTUALLY IN ROCHESTER ON TRAINING. SO I WASN'T EVEN HOME. I WAS
DRIVING BACK TO THE HOTEL WHEN IT HAPPENED AND I JUST MOVED INTO MY VERY OWN APARTMENT FOR THE
FIRST TIME.
I HAD NOT GOT THE FIRST PAYCHECK YET AND I HAD TO PAY FOR RENT IT A LOT
MORE RESPONSIBILITY THAN I HAD EVER BEEN USED TOO.
I WAS GOING TO WAIT A LITTLE TO BE MY TICKET
TO JUST GET MY FEET ON
THE GROUND.. I DID NOT KNOW THAT THERE WAS A TIME LIMIT
ON IT. SO THE
FOLLOWING FEBRUARY WAS PULLED OVER AND TOLD THAT MY LICENSE WAS SUSPENDED. I HAVE
BEEN GIVEN A
SUSPENSION TICKET. IF I REMEMBER IT
WAS LIKE 280 SOMETHING OTHER THAN I ENDED UP PAYING A LOT LESS
THAT THAT'S WHAT IT WOULD
HAVE BEEN. THEN I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED ABOUT THAT
SUSPENSION. SINCE THEN COME I
JUST MOVED
[INAUDIBLE] MY DRIVERS LICENSE WAS AT MY PARENTS ADDRESS BECAUSE THAT WAS THE ONLY
MAILING ADDRESS AND I NEVER GOT NOTIFICATION.
SO I HAD NO IDEA I WAS SUSPENDED UNTIL I WAS
PULLED OVER. NOW ABOUT $500
IN FINES; BY MIDDLE
OF FEBRUARY WHEN I GET MY TAX RETURN THAT'S ONE OF THE PAY EVERYTHING BACK
I WAS ACTUALLY ABLE TO GO
-- ACTUALLY CAN HOL
D ON >> TESTIFIER: IF AND I STILL HAD TO WAIT A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY SO I KEPT DRIVING.
PART OF MY RESPONSIBILITIES AT WORK
IS THE STORE MANAGER WAS BANK RUNS THAT I HAD A COUPLE
DIFFERENT DELIVERY RESPONSIBILITIES THAT
I HAD
AS A TUXEDO AND FROM STORE. SO WITHIN ABOUT 2 WEEKS OF THAT
FIRST DRIVING TICKET I GOT 2 MORE
THAN ONE FOR DRIVING TO THE BANK AND ONE FOR DRIVING TO MY
2ND JOB AS A DANCE INSTRUCTOR. SO AT
THAT POINT I HAD TO ASK FRIENDS TO DRIVE ME TO THE BANKUNITED TO ASK FRIENDS TO JOIN ME TO WORK
JUST BECAUSE I DO NOT HAVE THAT MUCH TIME BETWEEN JOBS TO
TAKE BUSES
LIKE A 2 HOUR BUS DR. SO THAT WAS NOT AN OPTION FOR ME AT THE TIME. THEN; ON DAYS WHEN
I WASN'T A STORE MANAGER IT WAS
VERY STRESSFUL.I COULD NEVER REALLY VISIT MY FAMILY
WHICH WAS ABOUT 45 MINUTES AWAY. FINALLY WITH MY TAX RETURN CAME BACK I ACTUALLY WENT
TO COURT AND TALK TO MY HEARING OFFICER
AND 3 DRIVING AFTER
SUSPENSION [INAUDIBLE] WENT FROM 900 SPEAK TO 2 600S WAS GRATEFUL FOR THAT AT THE TIME BUT I PAID IT OFF AND WAS ABLE TO GET MY LICENSE BACK. BUT THAT'S
NOT WHERE THE PROBLEMS
AND APPEARED [INAUDIBLE] MY AUTO INSURANCE COMPANY HAD DROPPED TO ME
IT IS A CLIENT AND AFTER COMEDIES
AND COMPANIES
ARE TRYING TO GET QUOTES AND STUFF;
THEY DIDN'T ACCEPT ME AT ALL OR NOTHING LESS FOR $1000 A MONTH.
SO LUCKILY NOW
THIS TIME I WAS A SERVICE OF IS
CONNECTED THROUGH A BROKER THROUGH A CUSTOMER
ACTUALLY AN INSURANCE BROKER. HE WAS ABLE TO GET ME INSURANCE
FOR 350 WHICH I WAS VERY HAPPY AT THE
TIME BECAUSE THAT WAS 3 AND 50 LESSON OF WHAT I WAS LOOKING AT
NOW IT'S 4.5 YEARS LATER. I FINALLY
GOT IT DOWN TO $200
A MONTH. WHICH TO ME IS ACTUALLY PRETTY
GREAT CONSIDERING 650 WAS WHAT I WAS PAIN AT THE TIME. NOW AFTER THESE 4.5 YEARS
ALL OF THE FEES AND FINES ARE PAID AND ALL
THE INSURANCE THAT
ARE PAID IT'S JUST UNDER $16;000.
I PAID JUST BECAUSE OF THAT ONE TICKET THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF I HAD A LITTLE TIME TO PAY IT.
THANK YOU.
>> CHAIR MARIANI: THANK YOU
MS. JACKSON FOR
YOUR TESTIMONY. I DON'T THINK
FRANCE KAFKA GOOD WRITTEN A MORE
[INAUDIBLE] WORST TALE OF YOURS.
>> [LAUGHING]
REPRESENTATIVE LESCH
CHAIR LESCH >> REPRESENTATIVE LESCH:
>> TESTIFIER: MR. MEMBERS OF
THE COMMITTEE ON
THE MINNEAPOLIS CRIMINAL DEPUTY
IN ANNAPOLIS
[INAUDIBLE]; MISDEMEANOR PROSECUTOR FOR 21 YEARS BUT I SAW THE OFFICE
1997 AND OUR OFFICE WE ALWAYS DO MISDEMEANOR
PROSECUTIONS ADULTS COUNTY ATTORNEY DOES NOT ONLY SEND YOU WORK AND I'M HERE
TO TESTIFY ON BEHALF OF MY OFFICE AND
I'VE HAD MEDICATIONS WITH THE ST. PAUL CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AS WELL AND I KNOW THEY SUPPORT THIS BILL
AND HAVE WORKED WITH US
IN PARTNER BUT I'M HERE TO TESTIFY IN SUPPORT OF
THIS BILL. I CAN JUST TELL YOU FROM MY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
THAT TYING
DRIVING PRIVILEGES TO
FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS CONSISTENTLY DOES NOT WORK.
WE HAVE GROUPS OF PEOPLE THAT
ARE SIMPLY NO MATTER WHAT
WE DO THEY ARE JUST NOT GONNA TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR TICKETS AND YES; THIS IS GOING TO ASSIST THEM BUT I THINK IT'S A VERY SMALL GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT
WE ENCOUNTER; BUT THE TRUTH IS; THAT WE ENCOUNTER A LOT MORE PEOPLE THAT SIMPLY WANT TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND DON'T HAVE THE FINANCIAL MEANS TO DO IT
AND TRAFFIC TICKETS; IF YOU ARE NOT REALLY FAMILIAR WITH THE SYSTEM; AS YOU CAN SEE FROM
LEAH STRAIGHT NOT ONLY CAN BE REALLY DAUNTING AND CONFUSING AND
COMPLICATED PROCESS; BUT THEY CAN ADD A VERY VERY QUICKLY.
WE ARE A PR
OUD PARTNER OF THE DRIVERS DIVISION PROGRAM WHICH WE USE FOR MANY MANY YEARS NOW 12 PEOPLE LIKE
LEO GET THEIR LICENSE BACK BY PAYING OFF THEIR TICKETS AND I'VE SEEN PEOPLE APPLY FOR
THE PROGRAM WHO HAVE 8; $10;000 WORTH OF
OUTSTANDING TICKETS GOOD ONE TICKET CAN QUICKLY BALLOON IN THE NORMAL FIND OF A COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS INTO
7; $800 BY THE TIME YOU TACK ON THE FEES DELINQUENCIES;
COLLECTION FEES. ALL THE WHILE PEOPLE LOVE TO CONTINUE TO
DRIVE BECAUSE THEY NEED TO GET TO WORK IN ORDER TO
MAKE MONEY
TO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILY AND PAY OFF
THEIR FINES. WE JUST CREATED THIS VICIOUS
VICIOUS CYCLE AND THE OTHER THING I'VE LEARNED IS THAT WHEN SOMEONE DOESN'T HAVE A VALID DRIVERS LICENSE THEY OFTEN DON'T HAVE VALID INSURANCE.
FOR ME AS A PROSECUTOR WOULD I WANT ON THE ROADS ARE VALID
LICENSE GOOD DRIVERS AND RIGHT NOW;
WE HAVE
THOUSANDS OF DRIVERS THAT ARE DRIVING AROUND UNLICENSED
AND UNINSURED
AND THIS LOT DOES NOT DO ANYTHING
TO PEOPLE OUT THERE DRIVING RECKLESSLY DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE WHO CONTINUE TO VIOLATE LAWS HABITUALLY. I FULLY SUPPORT
REVOKING AND SUSPENDING LICENSES
FOR CONDUCT TO WHAT I CANNOT SUPPORT ANYMORE IS SIMPLY SUSPENDING LICENSES
FOR PEOPLE SIMPLY ARE JUST TOO POOR
TO PAY AND WE HAVE TO MAKE A CHANGE TO MAKE THE ROADS SAFER
. IN
MY OFFICE; 20-30% OF OUR CASELOAD IS SPENT ON PEOPLE COMING INTO COURT AND DRIVING AFTER SUSPENSION; DRIVING AFTER
REVOCATION TICKETS.
I DON'T THINK THAT'S
A VERY GOOD USE OF OUR
LEGAL RESOURCES THAT WE
HAVE OTHER CASES TO REPEAT DRUNK DRIVERS THE HIT AND RUN THE DOMESTIC ASSAULT WEAPONS CASE; THOSE ARE THE CASES I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MY ATTORNEYS FOCUS THEIR TIME ON.
NOT THE PERSON WHO'S DRIVING
TO THEIR 2ND JOB BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION THAT WORKS WELL FOR THEIR SCHEDULE
SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY COULD AFFORD TO PAY OFF ONE TRAFFIC TICKET THAT
THEY GOT. SO I FULLY SUPPORT THIS BILL. I THINK IT'S THE RIGHT TIME TO MAKE THIS CHANGE AND I THINK IT WILL IN FACT MAKE THE
ROADS SAFER. THANK YOU. >> CHAIR MARIANI: THANK YOU
DEPUTY AT CITY ATTORNEY.
I BELIEVE WE ALSO OF
JEANETTE BRUNER. >> TESTIFIER:
GOOD AFTERNOON. MY APOLOGIZE FOR SOME YOU ALREADY HEARD THIS LAST WEEK SO IT'S GOING TO BE A LITTLE REDUNDANT BUT
MY NAME IS JEANETTE BERNARD IS IN TACOMA THE FIRST OF SENATE
[INAUDIBLE] IN HENNEPIN COUNTY. THE PUBLIC
DEFENDERS OFFICE MR. MINNESOTA
IS THE LARGEST
CRIMINAL DEFENSE FIRM IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.
WE REPRESENT 57% OF ALL CRIMINAL DEFENSE CASES IN
THE STATE AT APPROXIMATELY 61%
OF THEM IN HENNEPIN COUNTY.
PUBLIC
DEFENDER CLIENTS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE OUR CLIENTS WHO ARE CHARGED WITH CRIMINAL
OFFENSES AND FALL BELOW THE FEDERAL
POVERTY GUIDELINES. FOR A FAMILY OF 4 THAT'S A $24;000
INCOME. FOR
AN INDIVIDUAL IT'S A 12;000 OUR
ANNUAL INCOME. THE REALITY IS THAT OUR CLIENTS
LOOK MUCH DIFFERENT THAN THAT FOR THE MOST PART. MANY OF
THE PEOPLE WHO I REPRESENTED IN MY 25 YEARS OF PRACTICE
ARE HOMELESS OR
BETWEEN HOUSING ARE UNEMPLOYED OR BETWEEN EMPLOYMENT AND ARE FRANKLY
JUST DESTITUTE. THE REALITY
IS THAT IN THE STATE PARTICULARLY IN OUT STATE MINNESOTA; YOU NEED TO HAVE A LICENSE TO BE ABLE TO WORK
; TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE FOR YOUR FAMILY. I THINK
IN THE TWIN CITIES WE ARE MORE FORTUNATE IN THAT WE HAVE A PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM THE ABILITY TO QUICKLY USE
UBER OR TO LIFT WITH THE
CAMPY USE FOR OUT
STATE MINNESOTA AND THE CLIENTS THE
Y SERVE. IF YOU ARE POOR THE SUSPENSION IS DRAMATIC
. THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT
YOU OWE IS
MORE MONEY THAN YOU CAN GET IN A MONTH TO PROVIDE FOR YOUR FAMILY.
MOST OF THE TICKETS AS INDICATED;
ARE ABOUT $130 AND WE ARE
NOT GOING INTO ALL THE OVER SURCHARGES FINES
AND FEES. AS I INDICATED IN MY
CLIENT
YVONNE LESS THAN THAT A WEEK. I THINK IT CREATES A TREMENDOUS DISPARITY BETWEEN PEOPLE
WHO HAVE MEANS AND WHO PEOPLE WHO DO NOT; AND IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT THIS HAS
A TREMENDOUS IMPACT ON COMMUNITIES OF COLOR. IT
GETS PRETTY WELL KNOWN THAT YOU'RE MORE LIKELY TO
BE STOPPED BY A LAW ENFORCEMENT IF YOUR LICENSE
IS SUSPENDED.
THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF HOURS THAT WE SPEND
AND MS. -- INDICATED ON THE
SUSPENSION CASES AND
PUBLIC DEFENDERS WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO DEDICATE THEIR TIME
TO MORE SERIOUS CASES. I THINK YOU ARE WELL AWARE; I'M SURE YOU'VE HEARD FROM MR.
WARD AND MR. -- BUT OUR CASELOADS IN OUR FUNDING AND WE WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO FOCUS OUR TIME AND ENERGY ON CASES THAT REQUIRE
OUR TIME
AND ENERGY. THAT'S NOT TO SAY WE DISMISS THESE CASES AND WE DON'T CARE. WE DO BUT TO MAKES
IT A BONUS AMOUNT OF RESOURCES AND IF YOU HEARD
HER NUMBERS THE CASE THAT
COME INTO THE SYSTEM WE ARE PARALLELING A REPRESENTATION ON THOSE CASES.
I WOULD CONCLUDE BY TELLING YOU THAT THIS IS A NATIONWIDE;;
NATIONAL TREND. WE ARE
SORT OF LAST A LOT TO DO SOMETHING
ABOUT THIS.
IN WASHINGTON THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
. SUSPENDING DRIVERS LICENSE FOR
UNPAID TICKETS IN 2012. IN CALIFORNIA
THEY STOPPED
IN 2017. MISSISSIPPI STOPPED SUSPENDING THE DRIVERS LICENSE FOR THESE TICKETS IN DECEMBER OF
MISSISSIPPI STOPPED SUSPENDING THE DRIVERS LICENSE FOR THESE TICKETS IN DECEMBER 2017.
MOST RECENTLY; THE TENNESSEE
FEDERAL COURT FOLLOWED SUIT
AND DECLARED THAT CORRECTING DEBT FROM INDIGENT DEBTOR IS NOT A
RATIONAL BASIS
FOR REVOKING A LICENSE. THE RATIONAL CREDITOR ONCE A DEBTOR TO
BE SIDELINED FROM PRODUCTIVE ECONOMIC LIFE WERE LESS ABLE TO HOLD
A JOB OR COVER OTHER COMPUTING
LIVING EXPENSES.
THEY CONCLUDE; THE LOSS OF
ONE ABILITY TO DRIVE COMPROMISES A PERSON'S CAPACITY
FOR ECONOMIC
SELF-SUFFICIENCY. YOU CANNOT UNDERESTIMATE THE VALUE OF A
DRIVERS LICENSE IN OUR SOCIETY AND AM HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS. >> CHAIR MARIANI: THANK YOU PUBLIC DEFENDER. WE DO HAVE SEVERAL QUESTIONS. THERE ALSO
IS A A - ONE AMENDMENT. WE'LL SEE IF SOMEONE WANTS TO MOVE THAT BUT IN THE MEANTIME I HAVE
REPRESENTATIVE GROSSELL.
AND REPRESENTATIVE LONG. REPRESENTATIVE GROSSELL >> REPRESENTATIVE GROSSELL: THANK YOU; MR. CHAIR. JUST
YOUR FIRST TESTIFIER THERE;
. YOU SAID YOUR
LICENSE WAS STILL ADDRESSED AS YOUR
PARENTS RESIDENCE >> TESTIFIER: YES. IT WAS.
>>
REPRESENTATIVE GROSSELL: SO I GUESS MY QUESTION IS; AS F
AR AS THE FINE GOES; HOW LONG AGO
WAS THIS? WAS IT FOR YEARS
OR 5?
>> TESTIFIER: IT WAS 4.5 YEARS AGO AND ORIGINALLY GOT THE
FIRST TICKET. IN
OCTOBER 2014. >>
REPRESENTATIVE GROSSELL: SO I GUESS WHEN DID YOU ASK
YOUR FOLKS
FOR THE CHANGE TO HELP YOU WITH THAT CITATION
? IT COULD'VE
SAVED YOU LIKE YOU SAID
ABOUT $16;000. >> TESTIFIER: WELL
FAMILY DYNAMIC
WAS IN THERE FOR ME TO BE ASKING THEM
FOR MONEY. I DID EVERYTHING
BY MYSELF. >> REPRESENTATIVE
GROSSELL: OKAY. I'VE HEARD HER STARE
I BELIEVE IT WAS LAST SESSION
AS WELL AND THIS SESSION A COUPLE OF TIMES AND I JUST WAS KIND OF
CURIOUS BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT MY
DAUGHTER AT THAT AGE RECEIVED
A CITATION AND NEEDED
SOME HELP WOULD'VE GLADLY DONE IT
HINDSIGHT BEING 20/20 I
GUESS MAYBE
YOU ARE THINKING HE PROBABLY SHOULD'VE FOUND A FRIEND OR SOMEBODY
THAT WOULD SPOT YOU THE MONEY SO YOU
COULD AVOID; NOT KNOWING WHAT WAS COMING YOU
COULD'VE AVOIDED A HECKUVA LOT OF HEADACHE; WOULD YOU BE YOU?
>> CHAIR MARIANI: I SUSPECT LIKE MOST OF US WE LEARN THE HARD WAY BUT PLEASE;
IF YOU WISH TO RESPOND.
REPRESENTATIVE GROSSELL
I'M SORRY; ARE YOU DONE
>> REPRESENTATIVE GROSSELL: I'M DONE WITH THE YOUNG LADY. HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS FOR
THE OTHER TESTIFIERS.
>> CHAIR MARIANI: PLEASE. THANK YOU MS. JACKSON.
>> TESTIFIER: THANK YOU MR. CHAIR. NOT ALL FAMILIES ARE IN A SITUATION WHERE FAMILY COULD'VE HELPED >> CHAIR MARIANI:
REPRESENTATIVE WHEN WE HOLD THAT. I SEE HER ON THE LIST OF AN OPPORTUNITY. REPRESENTATIVE GROSSELL >> REPRESENTATIVE GROSSELL: THANK YOU; MR. CHAIR. COUNTY ATTORNEY;YOU MADE THE
STATEMENT THAT THERE'S JUST SOME GROUPS
THAT JUST ARE NOT GOING TO
TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR
THEIR CITATIONS. IT
ALSO FOLLOWS WE ARE PROBABLY GOING TO BE HELPING THEM TO CONTINUE TO
BE IRRESPONSIBLE.
IS THAT REALLY WANT TO DO WITH THIS?
>> TESTIFIER: THANK YOU MR. JIM EVERS OF
THE COMMITTEE. WHAT I MEANT BY THAT STATEMENT IS I DO
THINK -- I SEE PEOPLE COMING TO THE COURT ALL THE TIME
AND THEY DON'T SHOW UP AND THEY
DON'T
CARE IF YOU HAVE A BENCH WARRANT THAT JUST GONNA DO THEIR THING AND WE DO SEE IT IN THE SYSTEM. WHAT I WOULD SAY TO THAT IS; RIGHT NOW;
THOSE PEOPLE ARE HAVING A SUSPENDED LICENSE BECAUSE NOT PAIN
THEIR FUNDS
AND NOT TO JOIN THE OFFENDER PROBABLY STILL AUTHOR DRIVING TO THE STORE COMING TO COURT
AND SO THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT WE ARE GOING
TO BENEF
IT BY MAKING THIS CHANGE; PEOPLE THAT WANT TO TRULY BE RESPONSIBLE AND SIMPLY DON'T HAVE THE MEANS TO DO IT; I THINK
IN AN IDEAL WORLD EVERYONE WOULD STEP UP AND
TAKE RESPONSIBILITY BUT THAT'S NOT REALITY.
ARE YOU WHILE IT MAY ALLOW PEOPLE TO NOT LOSE OR DRIVE BUSINESS [INAUDIBLE]
THEY WILL HAVE THE COLLECTION PIECE OF IT THAT MAY OR MAY NOT IMPACT THEM DEPENDING ON THEIR ABILITY BUT
I THINK MOTHER MAY BE A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE
THAT WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DRIVE
LEGALLY AND STILL IGNORE THEIR TICKETS THE NUMBER OF PEO
PLE THAT WE ARE GOING TO UP I THINK IS MORE IMPORTANT
THAN THAT SMALL GROUP THAT SIMPLY; NEVER SHOW UP FOR COURT DON'T TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY. I DON'T KNOW SHORT OF HOLDING THEM
IN JA
IL UNTIL THE CASE IS RESOLVED; WHICH WE ARE TRYING TO CHANGE THAT PRACTICE; I THINK THERE'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE THAT SMALL GROUP BUT THE GOOD THAT THIS BILL WILL DO WILL
FAR OUTWEIGH THE FACT THERE ARE GOING TO BE PEOPLE THAT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF
THIS CHANGE.
>> REPRESENTATIVE GROSSELL: THANK YOU; MR. CHAIR. AS FAR AS
THAT GOES; I LIKE
THE IDEA AND THERE ARE SOME THINGS
IN PLACE IN THE COURTS FOR PEOPLE THAT
WERE INDIGENT TO GET IT
-- WHAT IS THE WORD-WHO DO NOT HAVE THE MEANS TO PAY IT RIGHT AWAY OR UPFRONT
THAT THEY WILL WORK IT OU
T THAT THEY CAN MAKE PAYMENTS OR INSTALLMENTS ON THESE THEM. IS THAT STILL
A PRACTICE? >> TESTIFIER:
MR. CHAIR; REPRESENTATIVE; YES. YOU'RE LOTS OF OPTIONS WHEN YOU GET A TRAFFIC TICKET. THEY ARE
WHAT CALLED
PAYABLE OFFENSES IN THE STATE COURT HAS DEEMED CERTAIN MISDEMEANOR OFFENSES THAT
YOU CAN [INAUDIBLE] IF YOU WANT TO BE A SET FINE
DOLLAR AMOUNT AND OTHER SURCHARGES
AND WHATNOT. IF
YOU HAVE THE MEANS TO DO THAT AND YOU ARE NOT CONCERNED ABOUT ANY
COLLATERAL CONSEQUENCES
YOU CAN GO ON YOUR COMPUTER AND SIMPLY PAY THE FINE. FOR PEOPLE WE ARE TALK ABOUT WHO DON'T HAVE THE FULL FINE AMOUNTED THEIR ONLY OPTION IS TO EITHER COME TO SEE A HEARING OFFICER
IN HENNEPIN AND RAMSEY COUNTY AND TRY TO GET THAT
FINE REDUCED OR GET SOME ABILITY TO WORK
OUT FINE OFF WITH HAVE TO COME TO COURT AND
YOUR PROSECUTOR AND PLEA-BARGAIN THE CASE
DOWN. AGAIN; THAT TAKES THEM AWAY
FROM JOBS WERE OFTEN THEY DON'T HAVE PAID SICK TIME. IT FORCES PEOPLE GOING TO MAKE REALLY HARD CHOICES.. DO I TAKE THE
TIME OF FROM WORK TO GET A REDUCED FINE OR JUST GO
TO WORK AND -- SO YES; THERE IS
[INAUDIBLE] AS A PROSECUTOR ACTUALLY TRY TO TAKE ALL SORTS OF STANCES INTO ACCOU
NT AND GIVE A FIND THAT I THINK IS GOING TO GIVE A MEANINGFUL CONSEQUENCE BASED ON INCOME. NOT ALL PROSECUTORS DO THAT TO
SOME PROSECUTOR'S I MET YOU DON'T HAVE TO PLEA GARDEN I HAVE 2 IN MY OFFICE. WE
ARE DOING 70;000 CASES A
YEAR AND JUST BY THE
SHEER VOLUME WE HAVE TO MAKE DEALS AND WE
HAVE TO DECIDE WHEN IT'S APPROPRIATE
AND WHEN WE STICK TO OUR GUNS AND CELIAC'S THESE ARE THE
[INAUDIBLE] WE NEGOTIATE THE
FINES BECAUSE WE HAVE TO IN ORDER TO SPEND OUR TIME ON A MORE SERIOUS OFFENSES.
BUT I THINK THE FACT IS;
THESE PEOPLE STUFFED UP A SPIRIT THEY
HAVE TO COME IN THE HAVE
TO SIT THROUGH ONE OUGHT TO GET THAT [INAUDIBLE] AND AGAIN IT TAKES AWAY FROM THEIR ABILITY TO WORK AT THESE JOBS AND
I THINK IT'S BETTER NOT TO PUT THEM IN THAT POSITION IN THE FIRST PLACE.
>> CHAIR MARIANI:
REPRESENTATIVE GROSSELL WE HAVE A LONG LIST YOUR COLLEAGUES HAVE QUESTIONS. >> REPRESENTATIVE GROSSELL:
I LIKE THE IDEA REPRESENTATIVE LESCH. I LIKE THE IDEA. TO
HELP PEOPLE AND THAT'S WHAT I WAS TRYING TO DO IS A DEPUTY MYSELF
2 OF THE PEOPLE I
ENCOUNTERED BUT TO REWARD IRRESPONSIBILITY
WITH NOTHING; WITH
NO FINES OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT; THAT'S A
LITTLE HARDER THING TO SWALLOW.
MR. CHAIR; JUST ONE MORE FOR
THE DEFENSE? JUST QUICKLY;
>> [INAUDIBLE / OFF MICROPHONE] A >>
>> [LAUGHING] >> REPRESENTATIVE GROSSELL:
MY APOLOGIES. >> CHAIR MARIANI: I'M SORRY
. WHO ARE WE >> [LAUGHING]
>> [INAUDIBLE / OFF MICROPHONE]
>>
REPRESENTATIVE GROSSELL: IN LISTENING TO THE ONE STATEMENT YOU MADE ABOUT PEOPLE
OF COLOR BEING MORE LIKELY TO
BE STOPPED; I WILL
HAVE TO AGREE TO DISAGREE WITH YOU ON THAT ONE BECAUSE AS A PATROL
DEPUTY MYSELF I NEVER LOOK AT THE COLOR OF A PERSON'S SKIN.
IT WAS THE CONDUCT OF THE CAUSE ME TO STOP THOSE ECHOES
TRAFFIC STOPS AND WORKING A LOT OF
NIGHT SHIFTS I CAN SEE
WHO'S IN THAT VEHICLE. SO TO MAKE A
BROAD STATEMENT AS LAW ENFORCEMENT DOES THIS;
I WILL HAVE TO DISAGREE WITH YOU ON
THAT ONE. >> CHAIR
MARIANI: -- >> TESTIFIER: THANK YOU MR. CHAIR. I THINK
IS A LITTLE BROADER THAN THAT A RELEASE FOR RESPECT WHAT YOU ARE SAYING SHOULD I THINK [INAUDIBLE]
A COMMUNITY OF COLOR AND PARTICULARLY IN HENNEPIN COUNTY
ARE POOR AND POOR PEOPLE ARE NOT ABLE
TO PAY THEIR FINES AND FEES AND THEREFORE THEIR LICENSES ARE SUSPENDED AND SO YOU KNOW YOU CAN
RUN A PLATE NOT KNOWING WHO'S IN
THE CAR; TO YOUR POINT; AND IF YOU
ARE SUSPENDED IT'S A BASIS TO PULL YOU OVER AND THEREFORE IT
DOES HAVE
AN INDIRECT IMPACT. SO I'M NOT TESTING ASPERSIONS ARE SAYING THERE'S A MOTIVE NOT TO OPEN UP A CAN OF WORMS
TO MAKE SURE WE ALL ARE HERE FOR THE NEXT 3 HOURS AN
D I KNOW IT WOULD BUY FIG IS FAIR TO SAY JUST WITH THIS
[INAUDIBLE] IT DOES HAVE ITS PROVEN PHYSICALLY TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AND THAT'S MY POINT. >> CHAIR MARIANI: VERY WELL.
THANK YOU. REPRESENTATIVE LONG. >> REPRESENTATIVE LONG:
THANK YOU; MR. CHAIR I WILL
BE BRIEF SO WE CAN MOVE ALONG
. I WAS GOI
NG TO MENTION; TO THE FIRST TESTIFIER; THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR STORY. I THINK IT'S ALWAYS DIFFICULT TO SHARE STORIES LIKE THAT BUT IT'S AN
IMPORTANT EXAMPLE AND YOU ARE IN A TOUGH POSITION WAS THAT
YOU NEEDED TO WORK TO MAKE MONEY
.. YOU NEED TO TRY TO
WORK AND WAS ACTUALLY PART OF YOUR JOB
TO DRIVE
AND SO YOU ARE PUT IN A TOUGH SPOT
AND YOU HAD TO DRIVE TO MAKE MONEY TO PAY BACK YOUR TICKET BUT BY DOING THAT YOU ARE INCURRING EVEN MORE FINES. SO THAT WAS PUTTING YOU IN A REAL POSSIBLE SITUATION TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT SO I JUST
WANTED TO
ACKNOWLEDGE THAT AND ALSO
MENTIONED THAT YOU ARE NOT ALONE AND YOU ARE
NOT UNIQUE. THERE WAS A STUDY DONE LAST YEAR
THAT 57% OF AMERICANS COULD MAKE A $500
EMERGENCY PAYMENT THEY CAME UP. SO YOU'RE ACTUALLY SPEAKING FOR THE MAJORITY OF AMERICANS NOT BEING ABLE TO MAKE A PAYMENT FOR
AN EMERGENCY BILL THAT COMES DO AND A LOT
OF US THAT 55% DON'T HAVE A PARENT THEY COULD CALL FOR A FRIEND
THEY COULD CALL TO BE ABLE TO
GET $500 AN EMERGENCY BASIS
WERE $900.. SO JUST WANT TO THANK YOU
FOR BEING PRESENT AND SHARING
YOUR STORY AND I
THINK YOU THINK YOU REPRESENT A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO A
RE IN [INAUDIBLE] THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN OR THROUGH A FAULT THEY WANT TO PAY
.
NO FAULT THAT THEIR POOR AND THEY WANT TO TAKE ACTION ON PAIN THE TICKET
BUT OFFER ON ABLE TO SO
THANK YOU TO THE BILL SPONSOR FOR BRINGING
THIS FOR. >> CHAIR MARIANI: WELL SAID.
MS. JACKSON; ONE OF THE I THIN
K [INAUDIBLE] I CAN SPEAK FOR OTHER STATES IS THAT WE DO
TRANSPARENTLY OPEN UP OUR
DELIBERATIONS [INAUDIBLE] SO WE CAN
HEAR DIRECTLY FOR PEOPLE OF ALL VIEWS WERE
DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY
OUR LAWS.SO PUTTING A FACE ON THE
LAW IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TO ALL OF US HERE IN
THE LEGISLATURE.
THANK YOU FOR OFFERING THAT OPPORTUNITY TO PUT A FACE ON THE ISSUES THAT
THIS LAW IS SEEKING TO ADDRESS.
REPRESENTATIVE DEHN >>
REPRESENTATIVE DEHN: THANK YOU;
MR. CHAIR AND ALSO THANK YOU MS. JACKSON FOR
YOUR TESTIMONY. WE'VE A
TERRIBLE SYSTEM. WHEN PEOPLE ARE IN
FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES AND THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO SPAY A
SMALL FINE THEIR LIFE CAN BE
TOTALLY UPENDED AND I DON'T KNOW WHY WE
DO THIS. I DON'T KNOW WHY
WE CRIMINALIZE POVERTY BECAUSE
WE DO.. IF SOMEONE GETS A FINE AND THEY CAN PAY IT
THE NEXT THING YOU KNOW THE LICENSE
IS SUSPENDED
THEY CAN PAY THAT FINE. WE WANT THEM TO WORK IT WE WANT THEM TO DO ALL THE THINGS THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO DO BUT THEY'RE
STARTING FROM 30; 40 YARDS BACK IN IT ALMOST MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE. WE CAN
TALK ABOUT LAW ENFORCEMENT AND
HOW THEY PULL PEOPLE OVER AND ALL THOSE OTHER THINGS
. CLEARLY; IF
YOU'RE DRIVING WITH A SUSPENDED LICENSE THAT'S CAUSE BUT OFTENTIMES
PEOPLE GET PULLED OVER FOR
EQUIPMENT VIOLATIONS
AND PEOPLE THAT GET NEW CARS EVERY
3 YEARS AND NOT TO HAVE EQUIPMENT VIOLATIONS
; IT TENDS TO BE PEOPLE THAT
ARE DRIVING 10; 16 YEAR
OLD CARS. BY THE WAY OF BREAKING A LOT RIGHT NOW BUT WHEN MY LIGHTS IS
OUT. SO
I FEAR YOU HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY;
I FEAR IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN I
DRIVE HERE IF I WAS LIVING SOMEWHERE ELSE I PROBABLY WILL NOT HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THAT BUT I LIVE IN NORTH MINNEAPOLIS
IT'S POSSIBLE TONIGHT WHEN I GO HOME I'LL GET PULLED OVER BECAUSE OF A HEADLIGHT
THAT'S OUT. NOW I'M GOING TO BE A HUGE ADVANTAGE FOR A LOT OF THE PEOPLE IN
MY COMMUNITY
BECAUSE THE OFFICER IS GOING TO SEE HIM WAITING
TO BE PROBABLY HANDLED VERY
VERY DIFFERENTLY. WE COULD TALK ABOUT
WHO GETS PULLED OVER.
I LIVED ON THE NORTH SIDE ALMOST
20 YEARS OF GERMAN DOWN
STREETS SOMETIMES 5; 6; 7 TIMES
A DAY SOME THE
BUSIEST PRIESTS IN NORTH MANAUS AND I'M
NOT GOTTEN PULLED OVER THIS IS THE FIRST
TIME I
NOT THE FIRST TO MY HEADLIGHT HAS
BEEN OUT. SO I THINK THAT WE KNOW
POOR COMMUNITIES ARE IMPACTED A VERY
DIFFERENT WAYS AND THAT WE
REALLY NEED TO MOVE
BEYOND CRIMINALIZING PEOPLE
BEING POOR IN THIS INSIDIOUS
DOWNWARD SPIRAL OF FINES
AND FEES AND FINES ON TOP OF FEES AND FINES ON TOP OF THESE. SO I THINK
THIS DEFINITELY IS A BILL WE SHOULD MOVE FORWARD AND
WE SHOULD
STOP MAKING PEOPLE'S LIVES HARDER AND START MAKING IT A LITTLE BETTER FOR THEM.
>> CHAIR MARIANI: THANK
YOU. REPRESENTATIVE HOWARD OF >> REPRESENTATIVE HOWARD:. I'LL BE BRIEF.
I; TOO WANT TO THANK MS. JACKSON FOR
YOUR TESTIMONY.
I AS A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER
IN LITCHFIELD HAD A CONSTITUENT WHO HAD A VERY
SIMILAR ISSUE TRAPPED IN
THE CYCLE AND I KNOW
THEY BE GRATEFUL FOR SHARING YOUR STORY AND RAISING UP THIS ISSUE. IT IS A CYCLE
. BACKING OF FINES; NEEDING TO DRIVE TO WORK
AND THERE WAS A MENTION OF
COLLATERAL WEIGHT FOR PUBLIC
SAFETY SYSTEM. OUR
POLICE DEPARTMENT IN LITCHFIELD KNEW
THIS INDIVIDUAL
WAS DRIVING WITHOUT A LICENSE
.. THEY WOULD SEE THEM AND
FELT COMPELLED TO PULL THEM OVER. THEY
WERE ALSO I THINK THEY WOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR US CHANGING
THE SYSTEM WHICH IT JUST STRIKES ME AS THE DEFINITION OF INSANITY IS DOING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND EXPECT IN A DIFFERENT RESULT.
WE JUST DON'T REALLY HAVE A
PRACTICAL SYSTEM FOR ACCOUNTABILITY AND JUSTICE SO I THINK THIS BILL IS HELPFUL
AND IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. SO THANK YOU. >> CHAIR MARIANI: THANK YOU.
REPRESENTATIVE
[INAUDIBLE] THEN WE HAVE THE A - ONE AMENDMENT.
ONCE IF ANYONE AUTHORS AND WILL GO FROM THERE.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON
>> REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON: >> TESTIFIER:
>>
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON: I'M JUST ONE OF THE PUBLIC
DEFENDER'S OFFICE [INAUDIBLE]
WAS IT JUST THE SPEEDING
ORDER THAT GET YOU RECKLESS; DW IN
THAT AREA >> TESTIFIER: THANK YOU
>> CHAIR MARIANI: WE ALSO HAVE THE STATE PUBLIC DEFENDER.
>> >>
[MULTIPLE VOICES.] >>
>> [LAUGHING] >> TESTIFIER: WE REPRESENT A
MISDEMEANOR CRIMES
WHICH THE PERSON APPEARS IN COURT. SO IF A PERSON HAS A PAYABLE FENCE WHICH COULD BE A MISDEMEANOR
AND THEY ELECT TO PAY
IT ONLINE AND THAT WE DON'T GET INVOLVED IN THAT BUT IF THEY DO SCHEDULE A COURT APPEARANCE WE REPRESENT
THEM. SO ANYBODY IS FACING THE LOSS OF LIBERTY
INCARCERATION TO THE MISDEMEANOR [INAUDIBLE]
A GROSS MISDEMEANOR BY A YEAR AND A FELONY BY MORE THAN A YEAR
A REPRESENTATION
KICKS IN. >> REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON:
MR. CHAIR; THANK YOU
VERY MUCH BUT I JUST WANT TO LET PEOPLE
KNOW THAT IF IT IS A
MISDEMEANOR [INAUDIBLE]
THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS IS THERE TO UP WITH
A QUALIFY. AND FOR THE PROSECUTORS
IN MY COUNTY THE COUNTIES OF
WORKED IN
A BEEN IN THE COURTS A NUMBER OF
DIFFERENT COUNTIES AND ALL THE PROSECUTORS
WHETHER IT'S CITY OR COUNTY
WE ALWAYS PLEA BARGAIN WHENEVER WE CAN.
IF SOMEBODY COMES IN AND HAS
A SITUATION THAT THEY
NEED ASSISTANCE IN MY AREA OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY HAS NO PROBLEM WORKING WITH
THEM. UNFORTUNATELY;
THE STATE WENT TO A SYSTEM WHERE
IT'S A [INAUDIBLE] PAYMENT SYSTEM AND THAT SYSTEM WAS VERY MESSED UP
I KNOW A COUPLE OF
MY FRIENDS WHETHER
LICENSE SUSPENDED AND THEY HAD THE DOCUMENTATION THAT
THEY PAID
. THE SYSTEM DID NOT NOTIFY THE COURT SYSTEM..
TO PAY REINSTATEMENT FEE TO GET BACK. THE REASON I FOUND OUT ABOUT IT;
LAW ENFORCEMENT; I DON'T KNOW IF IT
STILL DONE; IT HAS A
LIST OF IT SENDS A LIST OF SUSPENDED DRIVERS
EVERY YEAR. PROBABLY EVERY WEEK OR
EVERY MONTH; DWIS AND STUFF
LIKE THAT. SO THE
COUNTY ATTORNEYS IN THE CITY PROSECUTORS TO WORK
WITH THE PEOPLE IF THEY
HAVE ISSUES. WE HAD A VERY ROBUST CONVERSATION ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND JUDICIARY
AND THE BIGGEST ISSUE THEY'
RE HAVING THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS AND EVEN SOME OF THE JUDGES; IT'S
THE SURCHARGES. THEY CANNOT
BE WAIVED. OUR SURCHARGES ARE
MORE THAN A LOT OF TIMES AND
SOMETIMES DOUBLE WHAT THE
FINES ARE. THAT'S
AN ISSUE WE DO NEED TO WORK ON. BUT LAST QUESTION I
ACTUALLY HAVE WHOEVER WANTS TO
ANSWER IT; ANSWER THIS.
THEY TALKED ABOUT JUST THERE'S A FEW PEOPLE THAT NEVER PAY
THEIR FINES AND THEIR TICKETS. THEY DON'T CONTACT THE COURTS
TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR PAYMENT
AND THAT'S A SIMPLE PHONE CALL TO THE PROSECUTOR AND THEY CAN
MAKE ARRANGEMENTS
TO PAY THE FINES BUT IT'S REALLY EASY TO DO. I KNOW PEOPLE HAVE DONE IT NUMEROUS TIMES.
THE ISSUE IS THESE PEOPLE
HAVE NEVER TAKE CARE OF IT..
I UNDERSTAND THE MEANING OF THIS BILL. I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH
IT EXCEPT FOR THE FACT THAT
THESE PEOPLE TECHNICALLY THEY CAN HAVE 100
MOVING VIOLATIONS IN THE WAY THIS IS WRITTEN; IF THEY DON'T
PAY THEM; NOTHING HAPPENS.
THEY COULD HAVE 100
SPEEDING TICKETS;; NOTHING HAPPENS
UNTIL THEY FINALLY
PAY THEM. THEN THERE LICENSE COULD BE SUSPENDED BECAUSE THEY HAVE
MORE THAN 4 VIOLATIONS AND
12 MONTHS OR 5 AND
24 MONTHS. SO UNTIL THEY PAY
THE TICKETS THERE'S NOTHING ON
THE RECORD AND IF THE TICKET IS NOT PAID
IT DOESN'T GO ON THE RECORD. SO
I THINK WE NEED TO REALLY TAKE A CLOSE LOOK
AT THIS AND I DO HAVE A AMENDMENT THAT I'M
GOING TORINGING UP TO
TALK ABOUT; BUT I'M
GOING TO HAVE THE PROSECUTOR ANSWER THIS BUT WHAT SHOULD WE DO WITH THESE PEOPLE THAT CAN TRULY REFUSE TO PAY THEIR FINES?
>> CHAIR MARIANI: CITY TURN IF YOU WOULD ANSWER THIS QUESTION I DO WANT TO GET TO YOUR AMENDMENT WHOSE EVER OFFERING
THAT AMENDMENT. MEMBERS DO HAVE
QUESTIONS. MEMBERS; WERE NOT DONE WITH OUR AGENDA TODAY. WE
WILL BE RECESSING
AND RECONVENING AT 5 PM IN ROOM
300. SO CITY ATTOR
NEY >> TESTIFIER: THANK YOU MR. CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF
THE COMMITTEE. WE HAVE THAT
PROBLEM NOW. WITHOUT THI
S BILL WHETHER YOU PASS IT OR NOT THE
PROBLEM EXISTS
AND IT DOESN'T EXIST JUST FOR DRIVING OFFENSES. IN
HENNEPIN COUNTY THEY DECIDE
D THAT WE NEED TO LOOK AT AND CLEAN UP OLD WARRANTS. SO LAST YEAR I WAS SENT A LIST OF NO
LESS THAN 50;000
MISDEMEANOR OFFENSES OF AL
L SORTS BETTER IN WARRANT STATUS FOR THE LAST 5 YEARS THEY SAID; WHAT YOU WANT TO DO WITH THOSE AND THEY WERE EVERYTHING FROM SERIOUS
OFFENSES; PEOPLE ON
DWI TO CONSUMING
IN PUBLIC TO DRIVING AFTER REVOCATION; AND THERE WERE CERTAIN OFFENSES I LOOK AT AND SAID WELL; THIS IS 5
YEARS OLD AND ON MY SCALE OF WHAT REALLY IMPACTS PUBLIC SAFETY;
I SAID
WE NEED TO DISMISS THEM. WHEN A MANAGER OF THIS PERSON COMES IN AND 5 YEARS LATER I DON'T OF THE OFFICERS STILL ON THE FORCE. WE HAVE THE PROBLEM
RIGHT NOW. SO
THIS BILL IS NOT GOING TO MAKE THE PROBLEM BETTER. IT'S NOT GOING TO MAKE
IT WORSE. BUT
THE BENEFIT THAT WE ARE GOING TO DO TO PEOPLE THAT ARE IN THIS SPIRAL THAT
'S BEEN TALKED ABOUT FAR OUTWEIGHS BY THE GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT RIGHT NOW; ARE DOING NOTHING AND JUST TAKING THE CHANCES OF EVER GETTING PICKED UP ON A WARRANT
. I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE DO TO BRING PEOPLE INTO CORD SO WE CAN HOLD THEM RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY LEVEL OF OFFENSE
. BUT THAT PROBLEM EXISTS ALL THROUGHOUT THE STATE THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY
AND PASSING OR PASSING THIS BILL IS NOT GOING TO
CHANGE THAT. THERE'S JUST SOME PEOPLE THAT
FRANKLY; JUST DON'T CARE ABOUT
THE LAWS THINK THEY DON'T APPLY IN JUST DO THEIR THING UNTIL THEY GET CAUGHT AND
ARE FORCED TO DEAL WITH IT UP AT THE NUMBER PEOPLE
; WHAT I FOUND; ESPECIALLY
WORKING WITH DRIVING DIVERSION PROGRAM ONE OF THE THINGS I
WAS REALLY
SURPRISED ABOUT IS WHEN GIVEN THE CHANCE TO BE ACCOUNTABLE AND TRY TO DO THE RIGHT THING A LOT OF PEOPLE REALLY WANT TO DO THAT. THEY JUST NEED TO BE ABLE TO DO IT
IN A WAY THAT MAKES SENSE FOR
THEM FINANCIALLY.
THAT IS OFTEN A PAYMENT PLAN FOR SOME PEOPLE GET A PAYMENT PLAN IS $10 A MONTH IS MEANINGFUL PAYMENT PLAN. SO THEY CAN AFFORD AND I REALLY THINK THE MAJORITY PEOPLE WANT TO BE RESPONSIBLE AND THEY WANT THE SYSTEM TO WORK WITH THEM
SO THEY CAN BE RESPONSIBLE;
TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY EVERYBODY MAKES MISTAKES AND YOU SHOULD HAVE THIS LIFELONG 5
-6 YEAR STRUGGLE FOR ONE MISTAKE THAT
YOU MADE. YOU'RE NOT GONNA TAKE I'VE GOT SEVERAL TICKETS.
IT HAPPENS. IT'S
LIFE. SO WHILE I UNDERSTAND
YOUR CONCERN I REALLY ENCOURAGE YOU AND OTHER LAWMAKERS NOT TO FOCUS ON THE GROUP BECAUSE
THEY ARE GOING TO EXIST REGARDLESS OF WHAT
YOU DO;; BUT I THINK WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE PEOPLE THERE TRYING TO
BE RESPONSIBLE THAT NEED SOME HELP AND I
DO THINK MAYBE IF
I HAD LESS OF THESE CASES I MIGHT BE ABLE
TO -- SOME OF THESE OFFENSE ARE PAYABLE OFFENSES IN A WAY I CAN BRING THEM TO COURT
IS BY CHANGING THEM BY COMPLAINT. ANOTHER RESOURCE IN MY OFFICE TO HAVE AN ATTORNEY
CRANKING OUT COMPLAINTS ON ALL OF THESE MISDEMEANOR OFFENSES; BUT IF
MY CASELOAD
WAS REDUCED BY 23% ME BACK AND LOOK AT SOME OF THESE OFFENSES AND SAY THIS IS IMPORTANT ENOUGH
I'M GOING TO FILE COMMAND AND BRING THEM INTO CORD THAT WAY IN THAT WILL GET THEM INTO COURT. SO I UNDERSTAND THE CONCERNBUT
I THINK THIS BILL IS GOING TO DO
MORE BENEFIT
THAN HARM AND THOSE PEOPLE ARE ALWAYS GOING TO EXIST REGARDLESS OF WHAT
YOU DO.
>> CHAIR MARIANI:
THANK YOU. I'M THINKING ABOUT A COUPLE
TRAFFIC TICKETS OVER THE YEARS THAT I'VE FORGOTTEN AND I PAID
MORE THAN I SHOULD HAVE PAID IN THE FIRST PLACE BUT I
EVENTUALLY CAUGHT UP THAT I DO
NOT PAY $16;000 OR HAVE
MY INSURANCE
RATES SKYROCKET. SO THE COLLATERAL DAMAGE FOR A
SIMPLE ERROR FOR
SMALL MISJUDGMENT IS SOMETHING
THAT [INAUDIBLE] ON PEOPLE PAYING
THE
PRICE. REPRESENTATIVE CONSIDINE REPRESENTATIVE O'NEIL THAT WILL GO TO THE AMENDMENT THAT SOMEONE IS GOING TO
OFFER. REPRESENTATIVE CONSIDINE >> REPRESENTATIVE CONSIDINE: THANK YOU; MR. CHAIR AND
THANK YOU CHAIRMAN LESCH FOR BRINGING
THIS BILL.
TOMORROW WE WILL BE SEEN A BILL THAT WILL ENHANCE
PENALTIES FOR DEATH
AND MAIMING AND MS. JACKSON IS NOT THE PERSON I WANT TO CATCH
OR BE PROSECUTED WITH THAT
. WE NEED TO MAKE
SURE THAT THE SUSPENSIONS ARE FOR PEOPLE THAT
NEED IT AND THAT HAVE
EGREGIOUS BACKGROUNDS.
SO THANK YOU FOR BRINGING
THIS FORWARD. OTHERWISE I DON'T GET A BREAK MY
BILL FORWARD. ONE OTHER LITTLE THINGS THAT I KNOW
REPRESENTATIVE GROSSELL
EVENT IS IN THE BEST
POSSIBLE WAY AND I'VE
A DAUGHTER THAT WOULD COME TO BE; TO BUT WE CAN ASSUME PEOPLE HAVE THE
SAME RESOURCES THAT
WE DO THAT WOULD BE TO SOMETHING IN GENERAL TO KEEP IN MIND AND AGAIN I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE SAYING BECAUSE YES
IF MY DAUGHTER HAD COME TO ME I WOULD'VE WRITTEN A CHECK BUT THAT'S ARTWORK EVERY
RACE EXPENSES. >> REPRESENTATIVE GROSSELL: THAT'S EXACTLY MY POINT. SORRY
MR. CHAIR.
IT JUST BAFFLES ME. I JUST THINK
ABOUT THAT >>
REPRESENTATIVE CONSIDINE: I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE COMING FROM. WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT ASSUMING EVERYBODY HAS THE SAME ADVANTAGES. >> REPRESENTATIVE GROSSELL: I DON'T ASSUME ANYTHING.
>> CHAIR MARIANI: THANK
YOU; BOTH. THERE
ARE FOLKS CAREFULLY TRYING TO THINK
THROUGH ISSUES.
REPRESENTATIVE O'NEIL THEN WE'LL GET TO
THE AMENDMENT
REPRESENTATIVE O'NEIL >> REPRESENTATIVE O'NEIL: THANK YOU;
MR. CHAIR. I DO HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE BILL. IF WE CAN TURN BACK TO THE BILL LANGUAGE.
>> CHAIR MARIANI: THANK YOU
REPRESENTATIVE O'NEIL. >> REPRESENTATIVE O'NEIL:
CHAIR LESCH;
THIS IS ONLY A PART OF
LAST TIME THE BUILDER I LOVE THE BILL. I DO
HAVE CONCERNS
ONLY BECAUSE OF THE CHANGE WE WERE TALKING ABOUT WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT
REINSTATING FEES AND WAS A CHANGE IN POLICY NOT NECESSARILY A CHANGE IN STATUTE. SO I BRING THAT UP AGAIN. I NOTICED
WE DIDN'T HAVE A AMENDMENT. I
WAS HOPING YOU WOULD HAVE SOMETHING
THAT WOULD CLARIFY MAYBE I SHOULD'VE BROUGHT A AMENDMENT BUT IF ON PAGE; LINE 5.24 THROUGH 5.26
AND IT REALLY HAS TO DO
MORE WITH
NOW THAT MNLARS IS UP AND OPERATIONAL AND THEY ARE STACKING UP THESE VIOLATIONS
THE LICENSE NEED
TO BE REINSTATED I GUESS IS THE BEST WAY TO STAY IT. IT'S $20 FOR REINSTATEMENT AND WONDERING IF YOU WANT TO THINK ABOUT
SINCE IT'S REALLY A REINSTATEMENT FEE IT SEEMS THAT A
SINGLE ACTION TO MAKE IT CLEAR IN
STATUTE SO INSTEAD OF IN
STOCK FOR $20 FOR EVERY VIOLATION ABOUT THAT NEED TO BE REINSTATED TO HAVE IT BE A SINGLE FEE OF $20 INSTEAD OF
A STOCK FEE OF $20 HOWEVER
MANY TIMES. SO THAT'S ALWAYS GOING TO BRING UP.. I HOPE YOU
CAN CLARIFY
SO WE DON'T HAVE YET ANOTHER IMPUDENT TO SOMEONE GETTING HER LICENSE BACK. >>
REPRESENTATIVE LESCH: MR. CHAIR REPRESENTATIVE O'NEIL
WOULD LIKE TO DO THAT BUT WITH THE
PATH HERE >> CHAIR MARIANI: CHAIRMAN LESCH I BELIEVE WE ARE REFERRING TO THIS COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION.
>> REPRESENTATIVE LESCH: OKAY. DO WE KNOW WHERE IT'S GOING AFTER THAT? >> CHAIR MARIANI: I BELIEVE TO
YOUR COMMITTEE >> REPRESENTATIVE LESCH:
YES WE WILL GET THAT DRAFTED IT SO MAYBE YOU CAN DO
THAT. [INAUDIBLE] >>
REPRESENTATIVE O'NEIL: THANK YOU. I WILL MAKE SURE WE POINTED OUT PLEASE AFFORD TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR FOLKS TO GET THEIR LICENSE BACK NOT
BECAUSE OF
FINANCIAL HARDSHIP THAT ACTUALLY IS PRETTY BIG FINANCIAL HARDSHIP. NOT JUST ONE SINGLE $20 THEORY AND 7
BUT MULTIPLE. WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT CAME UP AT THE
LAST HEARING. KIND OF
A SURPRISE GOING THROUGH
THE BILL SOMETHING WE SHOULD FIX GOING
FOR. THANKS.
>> CHAIR MARIANI: I AGREE REPRESENTATIVE O'NEIL. THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT UP ON THE
RECORD. REPRESENTATIVE MOLLER THERE IS A A - ONE AMENDMENT IS SOMEONE WOULD MOVE
THAT AMENDMENT
. REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON >> REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON:
CHAIR MARIANI; THAT WAS
MY AMENDMENT. I DON'T THINK
I DO BELIEVE HIM CAN OFFER
THAT AMENDMENT. THERE'S AN ISSUE DEALING WITH HOW DO WE DEAL WITH HIS PEOPLE
THAT CONTINUALLY DON'T PAY
THEIR FINES; CAN GENTLY DRIVE AND
CONTINUALLY DRIVE
SPEEDING RECKLESSLY ENDANGERING THE PUBLIC. THEY'RE GONNA DO THAT WHETHER THEY HAVE A LICENSE
; OR A SUSPENDED LICENSE BUT I THINK
SOMETHING WE WANT TO LOOK AT
AFTER X NONPAYMENT OF FINES IS THERE A CERTAIN
TIME PERIOD; A NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING
DEBT OF NEVER GOT TO COURT REFUSED TO SHOW UP IN COURT; MAYBE IT SOMETHING WE WANT TO
WE WANT TO LOOK AT TO PUT A LITTLE TEETH BACK INTO IT SO THE PEOPLE THAT HABITUALLY TO THAT END UP IN COURT. >> CHAIR MARIANI: CHAIRMAN LESCH >> REPRESENTATIVE LESCH:
I'VE DONE THIS FOR QUITE A FEW YEARS AND I'VE A [INAUDIBLE]
FROM FOLKS WERE SITTING IN JAIL CANNOT AFFORD TO MAKE BAIL
AND THERE SITTING
IN JAIL ON A DRIVING AFTER SUSPENSION. IT WAS
MY JOB THEY WERE ENTITLED TO A TRIAL
THAN 10 DAYS IN A MISDEMEANOR AND I TO TRY THE CASE. I DID
THAT I TRIED THOSE CASES IN THESE PEOPLE WHO WENT
IN FROM HENNEPIN
COUNTY WORKFORCE; MC COUNTY WORKOUTS
CROW WING COUNTY KOOCHICHING COUNTY; BECAUSE THEY WERE
SITTING THERE
IN JAIL ON MUCH MORE SERIOUS OFFENSES.
QUITE FRANKLY; THE VAST MAJORITY
OF INSTANCES THIS WAS NOT EVEN REALLY WORTH HER TIME. THEY
WERE SITTING
IN ON MURDER. THEY WERE SITTING IN ON KIDNAPPING
OR CSC OR
SOMETHING. SO IF IT WERE UP TO ME IN THE SAME
WAY THAT MS. -- STATED;
WE GET THEM ON THE BIG TAMALE
. THE PERCENTAGE OF THE
POPULATION THAT'S
THREADED THAT NEEDLE WHO REALLY DIDN'T DO ANYTHING
WORSE THAN BASIC MISDEMEANOR SCARF
LOT STUFF AND COME
OUT [INAUDIBLE] IT WAS AN
EXTERNALLY NARROW
PERCENTAGE OF THE POPULATION COULD YOU ARE RIGHT. THOSE PEOPLE IRRITATE ME; TOO. IT'S EXTREMELY IRRITATING
. I'VE CLIENTS LIKE THAT JUST A COUPLE WEEKS AGO.
>> [LAUGHING] HE PAID ME SO I WAS LESS IRRITATED THAN BUT YOU
ARE RIGHT. IT'S
JUST THAT WE BOUGHT THIS IN LOOKING AT THE
MAJOR PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THOSE FOLKS WHO ARE IN THAT POSITION. I SEE WHERE YOU ARE COMING FROM.
>> CHAIR MARIANI:
THANK YOU. MEMBERS; I WANT TO
THANK THE CONVERSATION WE'VE HAD. REALLY
PLUNGING DEEP INTO WHAT
THE CONSEQUENCES ARE AND OBVIOUSLY WE TALKE
D ABOUT VERY CLOSELY RELATED ISSUES. AND THANK
YOU DEPUTY CITY ATTY.; FOR
LAYING OUT IN PAINTING FOR US WITH THE BIG PICTURE IS
OUT THERE. NOT IN THIS
POPULATION. [INAUDIBLE] BUT THAT MS. JACKSON'S; IF YOU WILL;
BUT ALSO ALLOWING
US TO TALK WHAT THE OTHER CHALLENGES.
IS THERE ANYONE ELSE THAT
WISHES TO TESTIFY ON THIS BILL? IF NOT;
REPRESENTATIVE LESCHRENEWS
HIS MOTION THAT HOUSE FILE 1061
1060 1B REFER TO THE
TRANSPORTATION
COMMITTEE. THE ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY; AYE. [CHORUS OF AYES.] THE
SAME SIGN THE MOTION PREVAILS. >> [GAVEL] >> CHAIR MARIANI: THANK YOU REPRESENTATIVE LESCH. THANK YOU TO
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