Former Supreme Court Justice Michael Wolff Supports Criminal Code Changes
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Former Supreme Court Justice Michael Wolff Supports Criminal Code Changes

Date: September 13, 2012
By: Lauren Bale
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: 
Former Supreme Court Justice Michael Wolff weighs in on how to improve Missouri's Criminal Code
RunTime:  0:42
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Simplicity is the key to improving Missouri's Criminal Code, according to Former Supreme Court Justice Michael Wolff. Wolff says mistakes have been made in the past due to the current codes complex and redudant nature.

Actuality:  CONFUS.WAV
Run Time:  00:13
Description: "We've got crimes that resulted in convictions where there were reversals because the instructions to the jury on the law were incorrect because the statute was so hard to follow."

Wolff says there are currently 27 ways to be charged with assult, which causes a confusion of the law across the state.

A joint committee will discuss possible changes during a series of public meetings beginning next week. 

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Lauren Bale

Intro: 
Former Supreme Court Justice Michael Wolff says Missouri's Criminal Code needs to decrease the punishment of non-violent crimes
RunTime:  0:37
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Former Supreme Court Justice Michael Wolff says Missouri is wasting time, money and resources punishing offenders of non-violent crimes with jail time.

Actuality:  MONEY.WAV
Run Time:  00:09
Description: "We're spending way too much money correcting people who are non-violent offenders to the detriment of spending the money where we should really be, targeting high risk offenders."

Wolff says most non-violent crimes are drug related and providing these offenders with rehabilitation could help permanetly fix the problem.

A joint committee will meet to discuss whether to decrease the punishment of non-violent crimes in a series of public hearings beginning next week.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Lauren Bale

Intro: 
Former Supreme Court Justice Michael Wolff voices his opinion of Missouri's Criminal Code
RunTime:  0:38
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Former Supreme Court Justice Michael Wolff says Missouri's current Criminal Code punishes non-violent offenders too harshly. Wolff says non-violent crimes are usually drug related and rehabilitation, not jail, is a better long term solution.

Actuality:  JAIL.WAV
Run Time:  00:13
Description: "You have to decide what conduct is serious enough and repetative enough that prison is your option. Chances are, if you send someone to prison, in many instances you're not likely to make them better."

A joint committee will discuss which changes should be made to the Criminal Code after a series of public hearings beginning next week.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Lauren Bale.