State Senator in no rush to change criminal code
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State Senator in no rush to change criminal code

Date: April 8, 2013
By: Brendan Cullerton
State Capitol Bureau
Links: SB 253

Intro: 
Missouri has not changed the way it deals with criminals in over thirty years, but a state Senator says we might have to wait at least one more to see any changes.
RunTime:  0:41
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Halfway through the legislative session, the Senate Judiciary committee first heard public testimony for a revised state criminal code Monday.

Committee chair Republican Bob Dixon says he does not want careless mistakes made on the roughly one thousand page bill just so it passes in this session.

Actuality:  DIXON.WAV
Run Time:  00:11
Description: "I'm not opposed to moving on it before this six week period is up, May the 17th being our last day. But something of this magnitude I'm very hesitant to rush."

The main feature of the revised code is reduced punishment for non-violent offenders and streamlined language for a code that hasn't been updated since 1979.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Brendan Cullerton.

Intro: 
A state Senator says the 30-year-old criminal code will have to wait another year for changes unless House and Senate members quickly strike a deal.
RunTime:  0:41
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: The Senate Judiciary Committee first heard public testimony on an overhaul of the criminal code Monday.

Committee Chair Republican Bob Dixon says disagreements among House and Senate members could postpone any changes until next session.

Actuality:  DIXON2.WAV
Run Time:  00:15
Description: "It's very possible that we could allow the bill to breathe, so to speak, over the next few weeks and allow members the opportunity to discuss it with their constituents in detail over the summer."

The biggest change is reduced penalties for non-violent offenders and streamlined language for law that hasn't been updated since the seventies.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Brendan Cullerton.