I have been working in or teaching about the Criminal Justice system my entire adult life. Our system is in need of some changes.

We Ask Too Much

The criminal justice system is society’s last line of defense. It cannot be used as a primary socialization tool. We have dumped far too many issues into the CJ system basket.

Internet Crimes

Imagine the internet as a community with some good neighborhoods, and places to shop and to learn. But like many communities, the internet has some very dark and dangerous neighborhoods. Places where sexual predators lurk, con artists ply their trade and thieves stalk their next victim. Few law enforcement officers are assigned to the important task of patrolling the internet. They are stretched way too thin. I have been a strong advocate for increasing the resources we fund for this vital mission. Much more work needs to be done!

Alcohol Abuse

Forty-five percent of all the people who are booked into a Wyoming jail are being arrested for either DUI or Public Intoxication. A full third of all people going to jail have been drinking and driving. We have hundreds of crimes in the statutes, yet almost half of the folks being jailed have committed one of these two offenses. A misdemeanor DUI investigation, especially one that also involves a collision, is now a very time consuming endeavor requiring more police resources than many felony cases! The average blood alcohol content of a person arrested for DUI in Wyoming is more than double the legal limit! That is the average. Many of these offenders are at or near triple the legal limit and they are out there on the same roads that our family members drive every day.

Substance Abuse

Addicts costs society and every addict began with a first drink, a first joint or first fix. No one starts out planning on becoming addicted. We need to focus more on prevention. Drug courts have proven themselves and the state should embrace them as our best approach when dealing with addicted individuals who are in the criminal justice system.