State of Kentucky Archives: on Crime
Charles Booker:
Need criminal justice reform & ending mass incarceration
I also believe we need real criminal justice reform, including an end to the war on drugs, as well as expungement opportunities and automatic restoration of voting rights to all people with felonies in their past.
This belief is why I have been a relentless advocate in the Kentucky State Legislature for amending the Kentucky Constitution to allow for the automatic restoration of voting rights.
I am extremely committed to ending mass incarceration, as well as mass criminalization. Our justice system is rooted in inequities that disproportionately harm minority and impoverished communities;
we lock up people of color at a rate much higher than other communities, and it costs the government and taxpayers a lot of money to do it. One immediate example of work we must do is around ending cash bail.
Source: KFTC.org on 2022 Kentucky Senate race
Mar 16, 2021
Amy McGrath:
Police reform: ban chokeholds, guarantee body cameras
Citizens have to be able to trust that the response to police violence will be handled fairly and independently. I support Senator Tammy Duckworth's bill that would incentivize states to require an independent investigation each and every time a police
officer uses force that results in serious harm or death.
All officers must be trained to recognize and counteract racial bias. The federal government should also incentivize de-escalation tactics and use of force guidelines. Among the police officers I know, no one
thinks they need to be using chokeholds or strangleholds, so we should look at banning them nationally. I want to see the federal government do all it can to guarantee that every officer has a functioning body camera that's actually turned on.
Source: 2020 Kentucky Senate campaign website AmyMcGrath.com
Jun 30, 2020
Charles Booker:
Supports criminal justice reform to address racial bias
Charles is focused on reforming the criminal justice system to address the racial bias and disparities that disproportionately criminalize and incarcerate poorer communities and people of color. Charles will support legislation to end cash bail, address
racial bias in risk assessments, and lead on broader pre-trial reform. He will push for reforms that prevent unnecessary sentence extensions due to technical violations, and he supports automatic expungement upon completion of a sentence.
Source: 2020 Kentucky Senate campaign website BookerForKentucky.com
Jun 17, 2020
Robert Goforth:
Incarceration comes at a high cost
Q: Kentucky has the ninth highest incarceration rate in the nation. Are you committed to ending mass incarceration in Kentucky? If elected, what will you do to make strides toward ending mass incarceration?A: The cost of incarceration is staggering
both for our tax coffers and for society in general. I support a balanced approach that offers second chances to individuals deserving of those opportunities, but I am also mindful of the need to keep certain career criminals off the streets.
Source: KFTC.org on 2019 Kentucky Gubernatorial race
Aug 7, 2019
Andy Beshear:
Justice for cold cases with backlog of untested rape kits
It's been an honor to serve as attorney general since 2016. I have used every tool available in our office to make life better for Kentuckians. That's meant fighting human trafficking, ending the rape kit backlog and protecting health care.
As an example, when I became attorney general, more than 3,000 untested rape kits had been identified. Sadly, we found 2,000 more. That's 5,000 survivors of a horrible crime who the justice system had left behind.
But after three and half years of hard work, we've tested every single one of those kits and created a Cold Case Unit to fight for justice.
The first indictment from the backlog was from a rape in 1983--the survivor is now 88 years old, but she deserves justice and closure.
Source: Louisville Courier-Journal on 2019 Kentucky governor's race
May 10, 2019
Adam Edelen:
Police departments should reflect diversity of community
La Casita, a Latinx activist group, hosting a bilingual forum for the governor's race, brought up the issue of racial profiling, or "driving while brown," and asked the candidates what they would do to combat racial profiling within the Kentucky State
Police. Edelen said the issue stems from police departments that don't reflect the diversity of the communities they represent. He said if elected, he'd work to encourage young people of color to consider a career in law enforcement.
Source: Insider Louisville blog on 2019 Kentucky governor's race
Apr 26, 2019
Rocky Adkins:
Make expungement of criminal records easier and/or automatic
Rocky Adkins co-sponsored House Bill 155: to make additional offenses eligible for expungement; reduce the filing fee for felony expungement from $500 to $200; to allow expungement of charges dismissed without prejudice; to require certain records to be
expunged if the law specifies a period for enhancement and that period has expired; to limit requirement of certification to convictions that have not been pardoned.Legislative outcome: Referred to Judiciary (died in Committee)
Source: Kentucky legislative voting records: HB 155 on KRS 431.073
Feb 5, 2019
Matt Bevin:
Harsher felony penalties for those deemed gang members
Legislative Summary: House Bill 169: AN ACT relating to gang violence prevention: Anyone who is found to be a member of a criminal gang at the time of commission of a felony shall be sentenced to a penalty higher than the penalty
pertaining to the felony.Analysis by WAVE-3 News: HB 169, commonly referred to as the "gang bill", creates a new section of KRS Chapter 506 to define "criminal gang" and a "pattern of criminal gang activity."
The gang violence bill is a controversial measure that makes gang association a crime. Proponents say the bill will fight crime; opponents say the law criminalizes individuals by association and targets minorities.
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 59-30-11 on Apr/13/18; Passed Senate 21-17-0 on Apr/13/18; Signed by Governor Matt Bevin on Apr/26/18
Source: WAVE-3 News analysis of Kentucky HB 169 voting records
Apr 26, 2018
C. Wesley Morgan:
Harsher felony penalties for those deemed gang members
Legislative Summary: House Bill 169: AN ACT relating to gang violence prevention: Anyone who is found to be a member of a criminal gang at the time of commission of a felony shall be sentenced to a penalty higher than the penalty
pertaining to the felony.Analysis by WAVE-3 News: HB 169, commonly referred to as the "gang bill", creates a new section of KRS Chapter 506 to define "criminal gang" and a "pattern of criminal gang activity."
The gang violence bill is a controversial measure that makes gang association a crime. Proponents say the bill will fight crime; opponents say the law criminalizes individuals by association and targets minorities.
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 59-30-11 on Apr/13/18; State Rep. C. Wesley Morgan co-sponsored bill and voted YES; Passed Senate 21-17-0 on Apr/13/18; Signed by Governor Matt Bevin on Apr/26/18
Source: WAVE-3 News analysis of Kentucky HB 169 voting records
Apr 13, 2018
Robert Goforth:
Harsher felony penalties for those deemed gang members
Legislative Summary: House Bill 169: AN ACT relating to gang violence prevention: Anyone who is found to be a member of a criminal gang at the time of commission of a felony shall be sentenced to a penalty higher than the penalty
pertaining to the felony.Analysis by WAVE-3 News: HB 169, commonly referred to as the "gang bill", creates a new section of KRS Chapter 506 to define "criminal gang" and a "pattern of criminal gang activity."
The gang violence bill is a controversial measure that makes gang association a crime. Proponents say the bill will fight crime; opponents say the law criminalizes individuals by association and targets minorities.
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 59-30-11 on Apr/13/18; State Rep. Robert Goforth voted YES; Passed Senate 21-17-0 on Apr/13/18; Signed by Governor Matt Bevin on Apr/26/18
Source: WAVE-3 News analysis of Kentucky HB 169 voting records
Apr 13, 2018
Rocky Adkins:
Opposed harsher felony penalties for gang members
Legislative Summary: House Bill 169: AN ACT relating to gang violence prevention: Anyone who is found to be a member of a criminal gang at the time of commission of a felony shall be sentenced to a penalty higher than the penalty
pertaining to the felony.Analysis by WAVE-3 News: HB 169, commonly referred to as the "gang bill", creates a new section of KRS Chapter 506 to define "criminal gang" and a "pattern of criminal gang activity."
The gang violence bill is a controversial measure that makes gang association a crime. Proponents say the bill will fight crime; opponents say the law criminalizes individuals by association and targets minorities.
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 59-30-11 on Apr/13/18; Kentucky House Minority Leader Rocky Adkins voted NO; Passed Senate 21-17-0 on Apr/13/18; Signed by Governor Matt Bevin on Apr/26/18
Source: WAVE-3 News analysis of Kentucky HB 169 voting records
Apr 13, 2018
C. Wesley Morgan:
Supports capital punishment; supports prosecuting minors
Q: Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?A: Yes.
Q: Do you support alternatives to incarceration for certain non-violent offenders, such as mandatory counseling or substance abuse treatment?
A: Yes. I support public interest work such as community service as well as rehabilitation over incarceration.
Q: Do you support legalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana?
A: No.
Q: Should a minor accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you support delaying the seizure of assets by law enforcement officials until after a conviction?
A: Yes.
Source: Kentucky State Legislative 2016 Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2016
Matt Bevin:
Overturn voting rights to ex-felons who completed sentences
Several states have turned away from harsh criminal sentences and raised new questions about what happens to offenders once they are released. In Virginia, [an executive order by Gov. Terry McAuliffe re-enfranchised 200,000 felons]. In February, the
Maryland State Senate overrode a veto by Republican Gov. Larry Hogan and expanded voting rights to 40,000 ex-offenders.But the policies have been controversial and provoked a partisan divide. Last December, newly elected Kentucky Gov. Matt
Bevin (R) reversed an executive order by his Democratic predecessor to grant voting rights to ex-felons in the state once they had completed their sentences. Governor Bevin framed his opposition to the executive order signed by then-Gov. Steve Beshear
(D) on procedural rather than ideological terms. "While I have been a vocal supporter of the restoration of rights, for example, it is an issue that must be addressed through the legislature and by the will of the people," he said in a statement.
Source: Christian Science Monitor on 2015 Kentucky governor race
Apr 22, 2016
Steve Beshear:
Grant voting rights to ex-felons who completed sentences
Several states have turned away from harsh criminal sentences and raised new questions about what happens to offenders once they are released. In Virginia, [an executive order by Gov. Terry McAuliffe re-enfranchised 200,000 felons]. In February, the
Maryland State Senate overrode a veto by Republican Gov. Larry Hogan and expanded voting rights to 40,000 ex-offenders.But the policies have been controversial and provoked a partisan divide. Last December, newly elected Kentucky Gov. Matt
Bevin (R) reversed an executive order by his Democratic predecessor to grant voting rights to ex-felons in the state once they had completed their sentences. Governor Bevin framed his opposition to the executive order signed by then-Gov. Steve Beshear
(D) on procedural rather than ideological terms. "While I have been a vocal supporter of the restoration of rights, for example, it is an issue that must be addressed through the legislature and by the will of the people," he said in a statement.
Source: Christian Science Monitor on 2015 Kentucky governor race
Apr 22, 2016
Matt Bevin:
Imperative to address backlog of forensic tests
For too long, the Kentucky state lab has carried a backlog for DNA and other forensic testing due to a shortage of resources.
This backlog includes blood alcohol, toxicology, drugs, gunshot residue, arson, fingerprint, DNA, polygraph and other tests whose results can be critical to ensuring justice for survivors of crimes, including rape and sexual assault victims.
We must stop talking about this problem and start solving it.
Funds will be made immediately available to begin addressing the backlogs of untested rape kits and other types of forensic testing.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Kentucky legislature
Jan 26, 2016
Matt Bevin:
Restore felon voting rights, but only through legislature
Bevin suspended Beshear's Nov. 24 executive order that automatically restored the right to vote to most nonviolent felons who have served out their sentences. "While I have been a vocal supporter of the restoration of rights," Bevin said, "it is an issue
that must be addressed through the legislature and by the will of the people."Bevin's order will not retroactively affect felons who, since Nov. 24, have received a certificate from the state Department of Corrections confirming their restoration of
rights. Bevin said felons may continue requesting a restoration of their civil rights from the governor's office, which includes the right to vote, to serve on a jury, to hold elected office and to obtain a professional or vocational license.
That was how Beshear handled it "for essentially the entire eight years of his administration," until he changed the process "less than two weeks prior to the expiration of his term," Bevin said.
Source: Lexington Herald Leader on 2015 Kentucky gubernatorial race
Dec 22, 2015
Steve Beshear:
Restore right to vote to most nonviolent felons
Republican Gov. Matt Bevin filed five executive orders to start reshaping state government along conservative ideological lines, including one that reversed earlier executive orders by former Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear
to restore voting rights to felons.Bevin suspended Beshear's Nov. 24 executive order that automatically restored the right to vote to most nonviolent felons who have served out their sentences--a pool that potentially included
many tens of thousands of Kentuckians.
"While I have been a vocal supporter of the restoration of rights," Bevin said in a prepared statement, "it is an issue that must be addressed through the legislature and by the will of the people."
Restoration of civil rights includes the right to vote, to serve on a jury, to hold elected office and to obtain a professional or vocational license.
Source: Lexington Herald Leader on 2015 Kentucky gubernatorial race
Dec 22, 2015
Adam Edelen:
Investigate the number of untested sexual assault kits
HISTORIC RAPE KIT INVESTIGATION: In April, Adam announced the launch of an historic investigation into the number of untested sexual assault kits in the Commonwealth of Kentucky,
and in doing so further illustrated that his 2011 promise of being an Auditor of, by, and for the people was not campaign conjecture--it was the truth.
Source: 2015 Kentucky campaign website Adam Edelen for Auditor
Nov 1, 2015
Jack Conway:
Reduce crime via focus on cybercrime against kids
Conway focused on his office's work to reduce crime in Kentucky, mostly through the Cyber Crimes unit aimed at abolishing Internet crimes against children, and his war against prescription drug abuse. "This is the first time that the number of deaths
from overdoses is headed downwards," he said, adding that he has spoken to more than 40,000 students about the importance of staying drug free.
Source: Sentinel-News on 2015 Kentucky gubernatorial race
Apr 16, 2014
Alison Grimes:
One in six US women will be victims of domestic violence
PROTECTING VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: As Secretary of State, Alison championed the first-ever address confidentiality program for victims of domestic violence to ensure their safety and security are not compromised when they vote. In the Senate,
Alison will continue to be a voice for victims of domestic violence. According to the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, "a woman is assaulted every 15 seconds" and one in six women in the
U.S. will be victims of domestic violence over the course of her lifetime--troubling statistics that must be addressed. Despite political attempts to disguise his real record,
Mitch McConnell has repeatedly opposed the Violence Against Women Act and even blocked an effort to vote on the bill to protect women.
Source: 2014 Senate campaign website AlisonForKentucky.com "Issues"
Feb 3, 2014
Steve Beshear:
Require DNA samples from all criminal parolees
Excerpts from legislation: Any registrant who has not provided a DNA sample as of the effective date of this Act shall provide a DNA sample to the appropriate local probation and parole office
when the registrant appears for a new photograph to be obtained.
"DNA sample" means a blood or swab specimen from a person, that shall be submitted to the Department of Kentucky State Police forensic laboratory for law enforcement identification purposes and inclusion in law enforcement identification databases.
Legislative outcome: Bill passed Senate April 15, 37-1-0; passed House March 19, 51-42-7; Signed by Governor Steve Beshear, April 24
Source: Kentucky legislative voting records: HB 683
Apr 24, 2008
Brett Guthrie:
Require DNA samples from all criminal parolees
Excerpts from legislation: Any registrant who has not provided a DNA sample as of the effective date of this Act shall provide a DNA sample to the appropriate local probation and parole office
when the registrant appears for a new photograph to be obtained.
"DNA sample" means a blood or swab specimen from a person, that shall be submitted to the Department of Kentucky State Police forensic laboratory for law enforcement identification purposes and inclusion in law enforcement identification databases.
Legislative outcome:Sen. Brett Guthrie voted YEA; Bill passed Senate April 15, 37-1-0; passed House March 19, 51-42-7; signed by Governor Steve Beshear, April 24
Source: Kentucky legislative voting records: HB 683
Apr 15, 2008
James Comer:
Require DNA samples from all criminal parolees
Excerpts from legislation: Any registrant who has not provided a DNA sample as of the effective date of this Act shall provide a DNA sample to the appropriate local probation and parole office
when the registrant appears for a new photograph to be obtained.
"DNA sample" means a blood or swab specimen from a person, that shall be submitted to the Department of Kentucky State Police forensic laboratory for law enforcement identification purposes and inclusion in law enforcement identification databases.
Legislative outcome: Rep. James Comer voted YEA; Bill passed House March 19, 51-42-7; Bill passed Senate April 15, 37-1-0; Signed by Governor Steve Beshear, April 24
Source: Kentucky legislative voting records: HB 683
Mar 19, 2008
Rocky Adkins:
Require DNA samples from all criminal parolees
Excerpts from legislation: Any registrant who has not provided a DNA sample as of the effective date of this Act shall provide a DNA sample to the appropriate local probation and parole office
when the registrant appears for a new photograph to be obtained.
"DNA sample" means a blood or swab specimen from a person, that shall be submitted to the Department of Kentucky State Police forensic laboratory for law enforcement identification purposes and inclusion in law enforcement identification databases.
Legislative outcome: Rep. Adkins voted YEA; Bill passed House March 19, 51-42-7; Bill passed Senate April 15, 37-1-0; Signed by Governor Steve Beshear, April 24
Source: Kentucky legislative voting records: HB 683
Mar 19, 2008
James Comer:
Allow expungement of criminal records after 5 years
Excerpts from legislation: AN ACT relating to criminal record expungement: Create a new section of KRS Chapter 533 to allow persons convicted of one Class D felony or a series of Class D felonies arising out of a single event to petition
to have their record expunged; provide steps for Commonwealth's attorneys' involvement in the process, notification of victim, and payment of fee; amend KRS 431.078 to provide that a person convicted of a misdemeanor may petition for expungement of the
record five years after adjudication, and to increase fee; amend KRS 431.076 to impose a fee of $50 on any person filing a motion after a dismissal resulting from successful completion of a diversion or mediation program; amend
KRS 527.040 to exempt individuals who have had their records expunged from the statute on a felon in possession of a firearm.Legislative outcome: Jamie Comer voted YEA on HCS HB 93: Criminal Record Expungement Bill; Passed House 76-21-3
Source: Kentucky legislative voting records: HCS HB 93
Feb 22, 2006
Rocky Adkins:
Allow expungement of criminal records after 5 years
Excerpts from legislation: AN ACT relating to criminal record expungement: Create a new section of KRS Chapter 533 to allow persons convicted of one Class D felony or a series of Class D felonies arising out of a single event to petition
to have their record expunged; provide steps for Commonwealth's attorneys' involvement in the process, notification of victim, and payment of fee; amend KRS 431.078 to provide that a person convicted of a misdemeanor may petition for expungement of the
record five years after adjudication, and to increase fee; amend KRS 431.076 to impose a fee of $50 on any person filing a motion after a dismissal resulting from successful completion of a diversion or mediation program; amend
KRS 527.040 to exempt individuals who have had their records expunged from the statute on a felon in possession of a firearm.Legislative outcome:Rep. Adkins voted YEA on HCS HB 93: Criminal Record Expungement Bill; Passed House 76-21-3
Source: Kentucky legislative voting records: HCS HB 93
Feb 22, 2006
Harry Blackmun:
Black defendants have Constitutional right to blacks on jury
James Batson was an African American man convicted of burglary in a Kentucky circuit court by a jury composed entirely of white jurors. During jury selection, the prosecutor peremptorily challenged all four black persons, and a jury composed only of
white persons was selected. The defense counsel moved to discharge the whole jury on the ground that the prosecutor's removal of the black jurors violated the Constitutional right to a jury drawn from a cross section of the community.The Supreme Court
ruled in a 7-2 decision in Batson's favor. The court ruled that the defendant first must show that he is a member of a recognizable racial group, and that the prosecutor has removed from the jury pool members of the defendant's race, [and that Batson met
those criteria]. (Majority opinion written by Powell, joined by Brennan, White, Marshall, Blackmun, Stevens, O'Connor.)
The dissenting opinion concluded that the majority misapplied equal protection doctrine. (Dissent by Rehnquist, joined by Burger)
Source: Wikipedia on 1986 SCOTUS 7-2 ruling in Batson v. Kentucky
Apr 30, 1986
John Paul Stevens:
Black defendants have Constitutional right to blacks on jury
James Batson was an African American man convicted of burglary in a Kentucky circuit court by a jury composed entirely of white jurors. During jury selection, the prosecutor peremptorily challenged all four black persons, and a jury composed only of
white persons was selected. The defense counsel moved to discharge the whole jury on the ground that the prosecutor's removal of the black jurors violated the Constitutional right to a jury drawn from a cross section of the community.The Supreme Court
ruled in a 7-2 decision in Batson's favor. The court ruled that the defendant first must show that he is a member of a recognizable racial group, and that the prosecutor has removed from the jury pool members of the defendant's race, [and that Batson met
those criteria]. (Majority opinion written by Powell, joined by Brennan, White, Marshall, Blackmun, Stevens, O'Connor.)
The dissenting opinion concluded that the majority misapplied equal protection doctrine. (Dissent by Rehnquist, joined by Burger)
Source: Wikipedia on 1986 SCOTUS 7-2 ruling in Batson v. Kentucky
Apr 30, 1986
Sandra Day O`Connor:
Black defendants have Constitutional right to blacks on jury
James Batson was an African American man convicted of burglary in a Kentucky circuit court by a jury composed entirely of white jurors. During jury selection, the prosecutor peremptorily challenged all four black persons, and a jury composed only of
white persons was selected. The defense counsel moved to discharge the whole jury on the ground that the prosecutor's removal of the black jurors violated the Constitutional right to a jury drawn from a cross section of the community.The Supreme Court
ruled in a 7-2 decision in Batson's favor. The court ruled that the defendant first must show that he is a member of a recognizable racial group, and that the prosecutor has removed from the jury pool members of the defendant's race, [and that Batson met
those criteria]. (Majority opinion written by Powell, joined by Brennan, White, Marshall, Blackmun, Stevens, O'Connor.)
The dissenting opinion concluded that the majority misapplied equal protection doctrine. (Dissent by Rehnquist, joined by Burger)
Source: Wikipedia on 1986 SCOTUS 7-2 ruling in Batson v. Kentucky
Apr 30, 1986
William Rehnquist:
Black defendants have no right to blacks on jury
James Batson was an African American man convicted of burglary in a Kentucky circuit court by a jury composed entirely of white jurors. During jury selection, the prosecutor peremptorily challenged all four black persons, and a jury composed only of
white persons was selected. The defense counsel moved to discharge the whole jury on the ground that the prosecutor's removal of the black jurors violated the Constitutional right to a jury drawn from a cross section of the community.The Supreme Court
ruled in a 7-2 decision in Batson's favor. The court ruled that the defendant first must show that he is a member of a recognizable racial group, and that the prosecutor has removed from the jury pool members of the defendant's race, [and that Batson met
those criteria]. (Majority opinion written by Powell, joined by Brennan, White, Marshall, Blackmun, Stevens, O'Connor.)
The dissenting opinion concluded that the majority misapplied equal protection doctrine. (Dissent by Rehnquist, joined by Burger)
Source: Wikipedia on 1986 SCOTUS 7-2 ruling in Batson v. Kentucky
Apr 30, 1986
Page last updated: Oct 13, 2021