State of Tennessee Archives: on Crime
Bill Lee:
Improved enforcement training for police cadets
You've heard me say many times that we have to be tough on crime, and smart on crime. Safe neighborhoods require law enforcement that is well-supported and well-trained, and we have made a number
of important strides for criminal justice reform and police training this year.We've improved training standards and paid for almost 100 cadets to attend improved law enforcement training at no cost to their local communities.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Tennessee legislature
Feb 8, 2021
Marquita Bradshaw:
We need restorative justice & overhaul of justice system
I support community policing, restorative justice and signed the justice guarantee pledge. Restorative justice is a theory of justice that focuses on repairing the harm caused by the crime. It is best accomplished through cooperative processes that
allow stakeholders to meet. In Tennessee, we need a fundamental overhaul of our justice system to ensure that we all are being held to an equal interpretation of the law, not one rooted in racial and income bias.
When we do this, it will lead to a transformation of people, relationships, and communities. I support universal background checks, and research [on] gun deaths and injuries in
the same way it researches other health issues in order to find workable solutions.
I support the full legalization of recreational marijuana. We need to lead Tennessee in this industry.
Source: 2020 Tennessee Senate campaign website MarquitaBradshaw.com
Aug 26, 2020
Bill Hagerty:
Uphold the rule of law; stop ANTIFA
We have seen criminals and ANTIFA anarchists hijack First Amendment protests with a campaign for violence and crime. Dismantling and defunding our police departments will throw our country into chaos. Who will answer the call when you're family needs
help? The dismantling and defunding of law enforcement in America is not the solution. Bill will work to uphold the rule of law, stop ANTIFA, and fight to secure appropriate funding and support for our law enforcement officers.
Source: 2020 Tennessee Senate campaign website TeamHagerty.com
Jul 1, 2020
Bill Hagerty:
Supports death penalty for human trafficking
Human trafficking affects every county in Tennessee. While Tennessee has been a leader in the fight to end this modern-day slavery, more must be done. Human traffickers--those who knowingly, intentionally exploit others and force them into modern-day
slavery--should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and that includes the death penalty. Human trafficking is one of the most atrocious crimes, and he fully supports the death penalty for these criminals.
Source: 2020 Tennessee Senate campaign website TeamHagerty.com
Jul 1, 2020
Bill Hagerty:
Use Insurrection Act against domestic terrorism
President Trump has already taken decisive leadership in recognizing ANTIFA as a terrorist organization. America is rooted in the rule of law. We cannot have another night of violence. It has to stop now. Period. If we don't, it propagates lawlessness.
To better protect our cities and communities from further danger, President Trump should use the Insurrection Act to its fullest extent. Mobilizing our military forces across the country will show that we will not tolerate domestic terrorism.
Source: 2020 Tennessee Senate campaign website TeamHagerty.com
Jul 1, 2020
Bill Lee:
Increase penalties for firearm theft & reckless endangerment
First and foremost, we must be tough on crime. Last year, we cracked down on fentanyl traffickers, and this year
I propose increasing the criminal penalties associated with theft of a firearm and increasing the criminal penalties associated with reckless endangerment of a police officer or first responder.
Source: 2020 State of the State Address to the Tennessee legislature
Feb 3, 2020
Bill Lee:
Improve supervision; encourage hiring of former prisoners
First, we want to expand our recovery courts so that veterans and those struggling with addiction or mental health challenges will have access to specialized supervision. Second, we want to improve our use of community supervision, including at the end
of a prison sentence. Third, we want to encourage those leaving prison to secure employment by revising the occupational licensing process and encouraging employers to hire the formerly incarcerated.
Source: 2020 State of the State Address to the Tennessee legislature
Feb 3, 2020
Bill Lee:
Electronic monitoring for low-risk offenders
One area of reform is our use of community supervision for low-risk offenders. It costs about 20 times more to incarcerate someone than to put them under community supervision, and the latter leads to better outcomes. One of the first things we will
do is add funds to the Electronic Monitoring Indigency Fund and add the use of GPS monitoring so that low-risk, non-violent individuals can keep their jobs and provide for their families instead of spending unnecessary time in jail.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Tennessee legislature
Mar 6, 2019
Bill Lee:
Volunteer to mentor degree-seeking inmates
We are launching the Volunteer Mentorship Initiative to equip Tennesseans throughout our state to mentor fellow Tennesseans who are currently in prison. And I'm signing up tonight as the first volunteer. This initiative will begin by working with
Tennessee-based non-profits to pair degree-seeking inmates with mentors on the outside as they seek better opportunities for themselves during their time in prison and their first days back in their communities.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Tennessee legislature
Mar 6, 2019
James Mackler:
Prosecutor JAG in military, and in criminal law afterwards
Mackler has practiced law in the past. He's worked in criminal law and more recently has specialized in legal issues involving unmanned aircraft systems, or drones, by providing businesses legal advice on their use.
Before those stints, Mackler spent three years as a Blackhawk helicopter pilot with the 101st Airborne Division after he had put aside his legal work for the Army in 2001 following the attacks on 9/11.
His military service included a deployment to Iraq.
Mackler, who continues serving in the Tennessee Air National Guard, earned his Parachutist Badge, Combat Action Badge and an Air Medal for "bold and audacious piloting."
After his service in Iraq, Mackler transferred to the Judge Advocate General Corps, where he was a military prosecutor.
Source: The Tennessean on 2020 Tennessee Senate race
Jan 8, 2019
Bill Lee:
Sentences should be upheld and violent offenders prioritized
You can be both tough and smart on crime. I have been involved with a men's prison ministry. We work with ex-offenders to help them pursue a life of purpose inspired by Christ and achieve a chance to right past wrongs. I have come to a deeper
understanding of how our criminal justice system works and how it can be improved. For one, we need truth-in-sentencing. Second, we must make sure our system prioritizes violent offenders over non-violent, creating a system that reduces recidivism.
Source: 2018 Tennessee Gubernatorial website BillLee.com
Jul 4, 2018
Bill Lee:
Men of Valor: re-entry program for former offenders
Lee said the 2000 death of his wife of 16 years in a horse-riding accident on the family's farm changed his life, from inspiring him to volunteer to how he viewed his work.
He helped in a YMCA program aimed at assisting at-risk youth and mentored in Men of Valor, a re-entry program for former offenders.
That led him to become part of the state Higher Education Commission and a governor's task force on sentencing and recidivism. Lee said he developed "a vision for something bigger."
"What if I could make my life better for six and a half million people? That was a compelling thought to me," he said. "That is really what drove me to consider running for governor."
Source: US News & World Report on 2018 Tennessee gubernatorial race
Apr 23, 2017
David Kustoff:
Fight violent crime; advocated for death penalty
Maintaining Law & Order: The safety of our country and community will be my top priority. As the United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee under President Bush, I set my sights on cleaning up government and public corruption, and
fighting violent crime and drugs. I oversaw the majority of the Tennessee Waltz trials that sent Senator John Ford and 12 other defendants to federal prison. I also advocated for the death penalty and sent criminals back home to their country of origin.
Source: 2016 Tennessee House campaign website KustoffForCongress.com
Nov 8, 2016
Gordon Ball:
Where do the little people go for justice?
Adams wastes no time in relating what his audience may heard about the hugeness of his success as a lawyer to the details of his upbringing: "I grew up in a one-bedroom house trailer in Cocke County, Tennessee.
My dad was a moonshiner, and at the time I was born he was a house guest of the federal government."Since '75, when I graduated from law school in Memphis,
I've been trying to solve people's problems, and I've lived my life and my legal career by one thing an old farmer said to me one time.
We were doing a film, and he looked right in the camera, and he said, `Where do the little people go for justice? Well, that's what my life has been about."
Source: Memphis Flyer on 2014 Tennessee Senate race
Aug 6, 2014
Diane Black:
Haley's Law: new criminal offenses on child abuse
Gov. Bredesen joined legislators at the Childhelp USA Children's Center in Knoxville, where he signed Senate Bill 504, also known as "Haley's Law." [Diane Black co-sponsored the bill]The law, which creates new criminal offenses and enhances existing
penalties for offenses against children, is named in honor of Haley Spicer, a child abuse survivor.
"This legislation takes the next step in protecting our state's greatest resource and most innocent citizens--our children," Bredesen said.
Source: Gov. Press release on Tennessee voting record SB504
Aug 2, 2005
Phil Bredesen:
Haley's Law: new criminal offenses on child abuse
Governor Phil Bredesen today joined Tennessee legislators at the Childhelp USA Children's Center in Knoxville, where he signed Senate Bill 504, also known as "Haley's Law."The law, which creates new criminal offenses and enhances existing penalties
for offenses against children, is named in honor of Haley Spicer, a child abuse survivor.
"This legislation allows Tennessee to take the next step in protecting our state's greatest resource and most innocent citizens--our children," Bredesen said.
Source: Press release on Tennessee voting record SB504
Aug 2, 2005
Steve Cohen:
Haley's Law: new criminal offenses on child abuse
Gov. Bredesen joined legislators at the Childhelp USA Children's Center in Knoxville, where he signed Senate Bill 504, also known as "Haley's Law." [Steve Cohen co-sponsored the bill]The law, which creates new criminal offenses and enhances existing
penalties for offenses against children, is named in honor of Haley Spicer, a child abuse survivor.
"This legislation takes the next step in protecting our state's greatest resource and most innocent citizens--our children," Bredesen said.
Source: Gov. Press release on Tennessee voting record SB504
Aug 2, 2005
Tim Burchett:
Haley's Law: new criminal offenses on child abuse
Gov. Bredesen joined legislators at the Childhelp USA Children's Center in Knoxville, where he signed Senate Bill 504, also known as "Haley's Law." [Sen. Burchett co-sponsored the bill]The law, which creates new criminal offenses and enhances existing
penalties for offenses against children, is named in honor of Haley Spicer, a child abuse survivor.
"This legislation takes the next step in protecting our state's greatest resource and most innocent citizens--our children," Bredesen said.
Source: Gov. Press release on Tennessee voting record SB504
Aug 2, 2005
Page last updated: Oct 14, 2021