IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 14, 2007
Contact: Co-Chairman Senator Tony Ross
307-638-1551
Co-Chairman Ed Buchanan 307-532-2322
CHEYENNE-- The Joint Judiciary Committee met
in Cheyenne last week to consider
improvements to aspects of Wyoming’s justice
system. The topics discussed included
improvements to the juvenile justice process
and the provision of additional risk
assessments to adults entering the
corrections system.
In recent years, the Legislature has sought
ways to effectively deal with the problems
associated with increased criminal
activities of both juveniles and adults.
“Our goal is to refine the overall process
to ensure that offenders face the
consequences of their actions, are given the
chance to be rehabilitated if possible, and
to use our resources in a way that is
responsible to the tax-payer,” said House
Judiciary Chairman Ed Buchanan. He added
that contrary to some reports, Wyoming is
not in violation of federal law. “It’s
simply a compliance issue, but it’s
voluntary. If we don’t do it their way, they
withhold funds. We can improve in many
areas, but it needs to fit the rural nature
of Wyoming.”
The committee heard testimony regarding
ways to refine the court process for
juvenile offenders to ensure that they
receive consistent punishment and services
tailored to help them avoid the problems
that brought them into contact with law
enforcement.
On the topic of adult corrections, the
committee heard testimony from Bob Lampert,
the Director of Corrections, regarding
sentencing and its impact on the growth of
prison populations. Director Lampert asked
the committee to consider a complete review
of the criminal process as it relates to the
classification of individual crimes as well
as probation and parole policies to ensure
the system is running at peak efficiency
while holding offenders accountable.
The committee also is considering
legislation to provide for post-conviction
relief for those who may have been convicted
of a crime but who could later prove their
innocence through DNA evidence and other
scientific means. Wyoming is one of eight
states without such a law. The committee
will look at laws already on the books in
Florida, Illinois and Virginia to begin a
comparison study and will soon begin to
craft a post-conviction relief statute that
fits Wyoming’s needs.
The committee next plans to meet in Rawlins
in August to continue its work.
##########
JOINT JUDICIARY
INTERIM COMMITTEE
House Bill Index / Senate File Index
