DeSantis details push for tough-on-crime laws in Florida – Sun Sentinel

Florida ought to get even more durable on crime — from reforming the state’s demise penalty laws, to introducing heavier penalties for youngster intercourse offenders, to cracking down on the sale of fentanyl made to appear like sweet, Gov. Ron DeSantis mentioned Thursday.

“Don’t take safe communities for granted,” DeSantis mentioned throughout a news convention in Miami on the Miami Police Benevolent Association. A “Law & Order” signal was affixed to the lectern from which he spoke. “We are a law and order state.”

Among his plans he mentioned that can be introduced to the state Legislature:

• Citing the result of Parkland’s highschool shooter’s case, the state will take into account requiring a supermajority vote of a jury for a legal to get the demise penalty. Under present legislation, a jury needs to be unanimous in recommending a demise sentence. A single juror is all it takes to maintain an inmate off demise row and ship him to jail for life. In the Parkland case, jurors mentioned they have been cut up 9-3 in favor of death. Confessed killer Nikolas Cruz was sentenced to life in jail in early November for murdering 17 folks, and wounding one other 17. “I don’t think justice was served in that case,” DeSantis mentioned Thursday. “If you’re going to have capital [punishment], you have to administer it to the worst of the worst crimes.”
• The state will take into account making it a first-degree felony to own, promote or manufacture fentanyl to look like candy. The governor mentioned he’s proposing a compulsory life sentence and $1 million penalty for these focusing on youngsters. The downside doesn’t simply affect households, however essentially the most unlikely of police, too. Two drug-sniffing Ok-9 canines with the Wilton Manors Police Department practically died in 2016 from an overdose whereas conducting a search warrant. Both obtained emergency Narcan treatments, a division member mentioned Thursday. His workplace can also be allocating $20 million for legislation enforcement businesses to extend efforts to cease the illicit sale and trafficking of fentanyl.

[ RELATED: DeSantis orders Florida’s 100th execution in same week he suggests death penalty reform, citing Parkland ]

• DeSantis mentioned the state at present “doesn’t allow capital punishment for anything short of a homicide.” But intercourse predators “are ruining these kids’ lives” and are “unrepentant.” He mentioned the state is “exploring ways” to “facilitate some capital trials if you have the worst of the worst.”

“I believe the only appropriate punishment that would be commensurate to that would be capital,” he mentioned of intercourse predators. “Everyone feels that way when you see this,” he mentioned. At the least, he mentioned he desires to see predators get life in jail, as a result of “they will reoffend if you put them back on the street,” he mentioned.

When requested on the news convention if he was glad there was sufficient carried out on the state degree to forestall one other college bloodbath, DeSantis referenced how he had removed Broward’s sheriff as soon as he was sworn into workplace in 2019, there was cash spent on college safety, there has since been a statewide grand jury and there have been ”changes” at the School Board, a reference to the suspension of 4 members.

“Before I became governor, nobody had been held accountable for any failings. Now people have been held accountable,” he mentioned.

“I think just having accountability is going to make it less likely that somebody like this guy [Cruz] gets passed around the system and everybody turns a blind eye knowing that this guy was a problem,” he mentioned.

“It’s just wrong,” he repeated of Cruz’s life sentence.

As DeSantis centered on the tough-on-crime laws, some folks drew consideration to the governor’s assist for permitless carry gun laws, which might permit folks to hold handguns with out coaching or a allow. Opponents of the measure say that will result in extra gun violence.

“If you intend to be tough on crime & safety, stop pushing the notion of permitless carry which will guarantee more gun violence in Fl,” tweeted Fred Guttenberg, whose daughter was killed in the Parkland college capturing.

The measure’s supporters, who name it “constitutional carry,” say state requirements make it more durable for folks to guard themselves.

Lisa J. Huriash may be reached at [email protected]. Follow on Twitter @LisaHuriash