SAINT PAUL – Today, the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission formally voted to approve reforms to Minnesota’s probation system, including a five-year cap on most terms, except for the most serious offenses. The action followed a December public hearing where commission members heard from a variety of Minnesotans including those who have experienced harm as a result of the state’s current arbitrary and lengthy probation terms, in addition to attorneys and professors who shared research highlighting how excessive terms hurt, not help public safety.
Rep. John Lesch (DFL – Saint Paul), chair of the House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Division, issued the following statement:
“When people are able to leave their pasts behind them and become contributing members of our communities, it lifts everybody up. Today’s action by the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission is a significant step forward to strengthen our criminal justice system and help eliminate systemic inequities. These reforms will help eliminate many barriers ex-offenders experience, including finding a place to live or a job. Through other strategies such as reforms to fines and fees for traffic tickets and other minor violations, I remain committed to further improving our criminal justice system to ensure everyone in our state is treated fairly and equitably.”