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Thom Tillis on Crime

 

 


Expand prisons so convicted felons serve full sentences

We cannot let pressure on the judicial system and crowding in our jails prevent us from our obligation to remove criminals from the vast majority of the population who are productive, law abiding citizens. If you commit a serious crime, you must go to jail and you must serve your sentence. If we must expand our prisons to ensure that convicted felons are not released before they have served their time, and if we must increase funding for prosecutors to ensure criminals are not given reduced sentences, it is a price we must pay.

I will work to impose the toughest penalties allowed for domestic violence, sex offenses, and crimes against children. I support sex offender registration and all measures focused on tracking and monitoring repeat offenders.

Source: 2012 State House campaign website, thomtillis.com, "Issues" , Dec 31, 2012

Limit use of racial statistics in death penalty cases

Source: North Carolina House voting records (Votesmart synopses) , Jul 2, 2012

Death penalty for killing police officers.

Tillis signed death penalty for killing police officers

Congressional Summary: Makes the killing or attempted killing of a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or other first responder an aggravating factor in death penalty determinations [when] the defendant killed or attempted to kill a person who is authorized by law:

Opposing argument: [Sen. Bernie Sanders, Oct. 13, 2015]: "Black lives matter. The African American community knows that on any given day some innocent person like Sandra Bland can get into a car, and three days later she's dead in jail. We need to combat institutional racism from top to bottom, and we need major reforms in a broken criminal justice system. I intend to make sure people have education and jobs rather than jail cells."

Opposing argument: [ACLU of Louisiana, July 7, 2015]: Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards signed a bill into law that makes targeting a police officer a hate crime. Passage of such bills is a top priority for a national organization called Blue Lives Matter, which was formed in response to the Black Lives Matter movement. [A video captured] "police killing a black man who was minding his own business," says the director of ACLU-LA. But it was the civil rights of police officers that Edwards was concerned about, as if theirs were being routinely violated: "I'm not aware of any evidence that police officers have been victimized that would justify giving them special protection."

Source: Thin Blue Line Act 16-S2034 on Feb 9, 2015

First step: reduce recidivism & mass incarceration.

Tillis voted YEA First Step Act

Congressional Summary:

Opposing press release from Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA-1):: The reform sentencing laws in this bill may compromise the safety of our communities. Criminals convicted of violent crimes would have the opportunity to achieve 'low risk' status and become eligible for early release. California already has similar laws in place--Propositions 47 and 57--which have hamstrung law enforcement and caused a significant uptick in crime.

Supporting press release from Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY-10):: S. 756 establishes a new system to reduce the risk that [federal prisoners] will commit crimes once they are released. Critically, S. 756 would not only implement these reforms to our prison system, but it also takes a crucial first step toward addressing grave concerns about our sentencing laws, which have for years fed a national crisis of mass incarceration. The bill is a 'first step' that demonstrates that we can work together to make the system fairer in ways that will also reduce crime and victimization.

Legislative outcome: Concurrence Passed Senate, 87-12-1, on Dec. 18, 2018; Concurrence Passed House 358-36-28, Dec. 20, 2018; President Trump signed, Dec. 21, 2018

Source: Congressional vote 18-S756 on Dec 20, 2018

Pro-mandatory minimum, according to AFA survey.

Tillis supports the AFA survey question on mandatory minimums

The AFA inferred whether candidates agree or disagree with the statement, 'Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes'? Self-description: (American Family Association helps produce iVoterGuides): "Grounded in God; rooted in research"; they "thoroughly investigate candidates"; when they cannot "evaluate with confidence, they receive an 'Insufficient' rating" (& we exclude)

Source: AFA Survey 20AFA-9 on Sep 11, 2020

Support law enforcement, according to CC survey.

Tillis opposes the Christian Coalition survey question on defunding the police

The Christian Coalition inferred whether candidates agree or disagree with the statement, 'Defunding Law Enforcement Agencies at the Federal, State, and Local Level ?' Self-description by Christian Coalition of America: "These guides help give voters a clear understanding of where candidates stand on important pro-family issues" for all Senate and Presidential candidates.

Source: CC Survey 20CC-9A on Sep 10, 2020

Other candidates on Crime: Thom Tillis on other issues:
NC Gubernatorial:
Al Pisano
Dan Forest
Holly Grange
Pat McCrory
Roy Cooper
NC Senatorial:
Cal Cunningham
Chris Rey
Deborah Ross
Eric Mansfield
Erica Smith
Garland Tucker
Paul Wright
Richard Burr
Sandy Smith
Sean Haugh

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Page last updated: Nov 29, 2020