Capitol News

Rep. Graham Filler (R-DeWitt) announced his support of a Michigan legislation that would reduce penalties for low-level crimes.

“No one should face the possibility of jail time for forgetting their wallet or putting off a visit to the Secretary of State for a little too long,” Filler said in a press release from the Michigan House Republicans website. “These are common sense reforms that will make our laws fairer for Michigan residents.”

Among the misdemeanors that would be reclassified as civil infractions under the proposed bills is the failure to properly register a vehicle or transfer a vehicle title, the operation of a vehicle without a valid registration or plate, the failure to present a boating safety certificate, the failure to properly label a fishing tip-up with the owner’s name and address, and the operation of a snowmobile without a helmet, according to the press release.

The first offense of driving on a suspended license would also be reclassified as a civil infraction if the license wasn’t suspended due to reckless driving, drunk driving or a driving offense that resulted in the injury or death of another person.

The new law would require individuals to pay fines of up to $150 if charged with any of these civil infraction.

“It just makes more sense for everyone involved – it’s going to save time for residents, law enforcement and court staff, and it allows our courts to focus their attention on more serious issues,” Filler said in the press release.

Filler has been a proponent of criminal justice reform. 

Last year he was behind a juvenile justice reform plan that will stop 17-year-olds in the state from being prosecuted as adults, according to the Michigan GOP House website. They will go through the juvenile justice system where they will be able to deal with their problems and reduce the chance of becoming a repeat offender.