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Bill Richardson on Crime and Punishment
This candidate has withdrawn from the election
"I support the death penalty for the most heinous of crimes," the governor said. "I've always done that while I was in Congress."
Richardson indicated support for the following policies: -Broaden use of the death penalty for federal crimes. -Impose "truth in sentencing" for violent criminals so they serve full sentences with no chance of parole. -Limit the number of appeals allowed to inmates on death row. -Fund programs to provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related skills. -Expand funding for community policing programs. -Prosecute youths accused of murder as adults.
1996 Congressional National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 1996
Voted NO on maintaining right of habeus corpus in Death Penalty Appeals. Vote on an amendment to delete provisions in the bill that would make it harder for prisoners who have been given the death penalty in state courts to appeal the decision on constitutional grounds in the federal courts ['Habeas Corpus'].
Bill HR 2703 ; vote number 1996-64 on Mar 14, 1996
Voted YES on making federal death penalty appeals harder. Vote on a bill to make it harder for prisoners who have been given the death penalty in state courts to appeal the decision on constitutional grounds in the federal courts.
Bill HR 729 ; vote number 1995-109 on Feb 8, 1995
"I love all this parsing and senatorial courtesy, and on the one hand on the other hand. Here is what I would do: I would do what I did when I was govener of New Mexico. One, I would move in the Congress with hate crimes law..."
I am in favor of NM's death penalty law. It sends a strong message of zero tolerance for heinous crimes, and it provides certain justice for the victim's families... I support the proposal to make the murder of a child under 11 years old an "aggravating circumstance" and eligible for the death penalty.
"Priorities" Oct 24, 2002
Richardson indicated support for the following policies: -Broaden use of the death penalty for federal crimes. -Impose "truth in sentencing" for violent criminals so they serve full sentences with no chance of parole. -Limit the number of appeals allowed to inmates on death row. -Fund programs to provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related skills. -Expand funding for community policing programs. -Prosecute youths accused of murder as adults.
1996 Congressional National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 1996
"I'm not going to decriminalize marijuana...Meth in my state is a huge problem, but we dealt with it with more penalties but also with more education and rehabilitation."
"We're cracking down on illegal drug labs - these dangerous, makeshift factories are popping up almost daily in neighborhoods across our state. In addition to the deadly product they produce, the labs are a danger to nearby residents, and anyone in the house, including children. Our State Police are targeting these illegal drug labs and will throw the book at anyone making drugs, and raise the penalties for those doing so with children present."
State of the State speech to the New Mexico Legislature Jan 20, 2004
"My goal is to see an adequate number of Drug Courts in each of the state's judicial districts. Under my proposal, first-time, non-violent offenders who are arrested for drug or alcohol related crimes-as an alternative to incarceration- must adhere to a strict regimen of treatment, counseling, tests, community service, and hearings. If the offender misses a step, he or she has to pay fines and do jail time. Participants must pay for the program as they are able, and the court will determine the individual's ability."
"Priorities" Oct 24, 2002
Each time, I have proposed new, tough penalties-including mandatory jail time and treatment-especially for repeat offenders. The core of my philosophy is that we must hold people responsible for their actions. When an individual breaks the law, we need to respond with an appropriate consequence.
"Priorities" Oct 24, 2002
"My hope is that these bold ideas will help us protect New Mexicans - especially young children - who are victimized by sexual predators," Governor Bill Richardson said. "By passing mandatory minimum sentences for sexual predators, we can keep them off the streets and prevent judges from releasing dangerous criminals into our neighborhoods."
If you're going to deal with substance abuse, mental health problems, alcoholism, what is critically important, not just law enforcement, incarceration, but treatment and education, an investment in serious substance abuse programs that can make things better.
SEIU Democratic Health Care Forum in Las Vegas Mar 24, 2007
My goal is to see an adequate number of Drug Courts in each of the state's judicial districts. Under my proposal, first-time, non-violent offenders who are arrested for drug or alcohol related crimes-as an alternative to incarceration- must adhere to a strict regimen of treatment, counseling, tests, community service, and hearings. If the offender misses a step, he or she has to pay fines and do jail time. Participants must pay for the program as they are able, and the court will determine the individual's ability. Many national studies have shown the same thing: drug courts work. Graduates have a far less chance of re-arrest than if they were sentenced and then released, or just put on probation. Drug courts are the first step towards reducing addiction rates and criminal activity. But they must be accompanied by expansion of our treatment facilities, throughout NM. In the long term, this policy will lead to savings in prosecution and jail costs.
"Priorities" Oct 24, 2002
"We have to do more on treatment and rehabilitation. Can't just have more penalties and incarceration, we need a dual strategy."