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Bob Barr
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While in Congress, Barr voted to limit death penalty appeals. He has also favored the sentencing of juveniles as adults, and consistently voted against community courts and other rehabilitation-based approaches to crime.
Voted NO on an amendment to delete provisions in a 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
And in line with the Libertarian Party, Barr, a former federal prosecutor, opposes hate crimes legislation, saying such a law “actually makes cases harder to prosecute.”
"For years, I served as a federal prosecutor and member of the House of Representatives defending the federal pursuit of the drug prohibition. Today, I can reflect on my efforts and see no progress in stopping the widespread use of drugs. I'll even argue that America's drug problem is larger today than it was when Richard Nixon first coined the phrase, "War on Drugs," in 1972."
"America's drug problem is only compounded by the vast amounts of money directed at this ongoing battle. In 2005, more than $12 billion dollars was spent on federal drug enforcement efforts while another $30 billion was spent to incarcerate non-violent drug offenders."
The Libertarian Party is the party of personal responsibility. We believe that anyone who harms another person should be held responsible for that action. By contrast, the Democrats and Republicans have created a system where criminals can get away with almost anything. For instance: sentences seldom mean what they say. Fewer than one out of every four violent felons serves more than four years. Libertarians would dramatically reduce the number of these early releases by eliminating their root cause - prison over-crowding. Since nearly six out of every ten federal prison inmates are there for non-violent drug-related offenses, it's clear that drug prohibition is the primary source of this over-crowding. It has been estimated that every drug offender imprisoned results in the release of one violent criminal, who then commits an average of 40 robberies, 7 assaults, 110 burglaries and 25 auto thefts. Early release of violent criminals puts you and your family at risk. It must stop.
Q: Like the majority of US lawmakers, former congressman and CNN analyst Bob Barr defends mandatory sentencing--says it was an answer to a public outcry... A: ...and a general sense on the part of the--the public that drug usage, particularly cocaine, which had really become in vogue in the 19--the latter part of the 1970s, was getting out of hand. And they were seeing people or perceived that they were seeing people getting caught, going into prison, and getting out immediately. A: Mandatory sentencing laws took off with the skyrocketing drug crime of the '70s and '80s. Sentences, both federal and state, are based on the weight and type of drugs, and vary from five years to life in prison. Have they worked? Q: They--they have worked. As good or as consistently as we had hoped? No. But they have worked, I--I do believe. I think it is a very sound idea; I think it's a very appropriate idea or way to deal with serious offenders.
Voted YES on Minimum Sentences for Gun Crimes Bill, which sets the following mandatory minimum sentences: 10 years in prison for possession of a firearm while committing a crime, 15 years in prison for brandishing a firearm while committing a crime, and 20 years in prison for discharging a firearm while committing a crime. Increases each of the above sentences by at least 10 years for a second offense. Sets a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years if a machine gun or firearm equipped with a silencer is used while committing a crime and sets a minimum sentence of life imprisonment if either is used in a second offense
Bill Number: HR 424, Date 02/24/98
Voted NO on funding for alternative sentencing instead of more prisons. Vote on an amendment that would reduce the funding for violent offender imprisonment by and truth-in-sentencing programs by $61 million. The measure would increase funding for Boys and Girls Clubs and drug courts by the same amount.
Amendment sponsored by Scott, D-VA; Bill HR 4690 ; vote number 2000-317 on Jun 22, 2000