Governor Approves Tougher Penalties for Gang Activity

The Office of Florida Governor Charlie Crist issued the press release below today, June 30, 2008 regarding his signature of House Bill 43, which will allow stricter sentences for criminal gang-related activity.  

To view bill information on HB 43, click here.

Should you have any questions or comments, please contact Frank Mayernick Jr. at (850) 251-8898.

 

Governor Crist Approves Tougher Penalties for Gang Activity
 
WEST PALM BEACH — Governor Charlie Crist today visited the Palm Beach County Historic Courthouse to sign House Bill 43, which will allow stricter sentences for criminal gang-related activity.  Governor Crist was joined by Attorney General Bill McCollum and bill sponsors Senator Jeff Atwater and Representative William D. Snyder.
 
“I applaud the work of the statewide grand jury in helping us better understand the extent of increased gang activity in Florida,” Governor Crist said.  “I also commend the Florida Legislature for providing our law enforcement officers and prosecutors the tools they need to protect the quality of life of our youth and our communities from gangs and their criminal activity.”
 
In June 2007, Governor Crist petitioned the Florida Supreme Court to convene a statewide grand jury to investigate an increase in crimes that could be attributed to gang activity.  As a result, the 18th Statewide Grand Jury began meeting in August 2007 in West Palm Beach, overseen by Statewide Prosecutor William Shepherd, Office of Attorney General. 
 
In addition to issuing 57 gang-related indictments, the grand jury also released a report in December 2007 with recommendations for legislation.  As a result, the Legislature incorporated many of the key recommendations into House Bill 43.  The legislation provides tougher penalties for criminal gang activity.  For example, it will now be a first-degree felony punishable by life imprisonment to initiate, organize or finance criminal gang-related activity.  It also prohibits electronic communication to extend the criminal interests of a gang. 
 
“I’m delighted and honored to have Governor Crist sign our anti-gang legislation today. It’s a first step in making Broward, Palm Beach and the rest of Florida safer from the threat of criminal gangs,” Senator Atwater said.  “It gives law enforcement and prosecutors new tools and tougher penalties in the fight against gangs and gang violence.”
 
The legislation also creates the Coordinating Council on Gang Reduction Strategies, to be chaired by the Attorney General.  The council will work with local and state law enforcement partners during the next year to develop a statewide strategy to reduce gang activity.
 
“This comprehensive new law creates a statewide framework for addressing the gang violence that is destroying too many Florida neighborhoods,” said Attorney General McCollum, for whom passage of this legislation was a top priority during the 2008 Session. “We can now look forward to driving gangs out of our state and ultimately out of existence.”