By Guy Page

When it comes to improving Vermonters’ public safety, the State of Vermont doesn’t have a bail reform or habitual offender sentencing problem, House Democrat leaders told the press at the State House today. Instead, Vermont should spend more money on the court system.

Rep. Martin LaLonde, House Judiciary Chair, said the Legislature has already done all the Constitution allows on bail reform. Now it’s time for the governor to budget more money to pay for more prosecutors, public defenders, and victim advocates – the people who he says will make the wheels of justice turn more swiftly.

Gov. Phil Scott is scheduled to deliver his budget address to the House and Senate this afternoon at 3 PM. 

LaLonde reminded the press that Vermont is still a safe state, but that ‘some crime rates have increased’ due to underlying societal conditions, notably drug abuse and homelessness. Last year’s Act 138 expanded some bail options for flight risk and violation of conditions of release. Tougher sentences were imposed for auto and retail theft. Three more judges were approved.

This year, the Legislature must provide “swift, certain and fair consequences” to the caught-and-released, LaLonde said in his opening remarks. “These consequences do not necessarily have to involve incarceration.” Instead, House Democrats favor more pre-trial supervision, probation, restitution, diversion, deferred sentences, and substance abuse treatment, the South Burlington Democrat and longtime Judiciary Chair said. 

VDC asked LaLonde “how anything short of incarceration would stop Michael Reynolds” (Burlington area homeless man with 1850+ police interventions) and other extreme recidivists. 

LaLonde responded that courts now can impose bail of over $200 and require pre-trial supervision, including drug treatment. Such interventions should speed suspected offenders through the criminal justice system, a process that often takes about a year, he said.

When asked if the Legislature might toughen or urge more vigorous prosecution of the state habitual offender law, LaLonde demurred. The Legislature gives the criminal justice system the money and tools to do the job, but doesn’t tell them how to do it, he said. 

Ethan Weinstein of VTDigger asked LaLonde about the future of the Raise the Age law, which in April would automatically raise the age of juvenile offenders to 20 (it’s 19 now) unless amended, delayed or repealed. LaLonde said he’s leaning towards delaying the controversial law. At present, Vermont has no secure treatment/juvenile detention facility, and in recent years has seen more youth being used as mules and triggermen for drug dealers. 

Vermont Public reporter Pete Hirschfeld asked Human Services Chair Theresa Wood (D-Waterbury) about her committee’s plans for funding emergency housing for the homeless. She said a joint hearing of the Senate Health and Welfare and House Human Services will address this topic,which is one of two top priorities for her committee this session.