Step 1: Sign the petition!
Did you know that Washington State still uses prior juvenile convictions, often referred to as “juvenile points” to automatically extend sentences in adult court?
Automatically increasing a person’s punishment because of an offense committed as a youth neither serves that individual nor public safety. What it does do is raise the overall cost of corrections by punishing people twice for the same offense.
To make matters worse, due to the over-policing of communities of color, BIPOC youth have a disproportionately greater number of juvenile convictions. The bottom line is that the use of prior juvenile convictions to determine sentence adds to inequality and amplifies racial disparities.
If passed, HB 1413 will retroactively and prospectively ban the use of “juvenile points” in adult sentencing and bring Washington State in line with the majority of states that recognize when it comes to sentencing, children are different.
It’s time to take action and end this discriminatory sentencing practice- once and for all. Sign Dream Corps JUSTICE’s petition and urge your legislators to support HB1413!
Step 2: Make a Call!
CALL 1-804-251-2120 OR ENTER YOUR INFO BELOW TO BE CONNECTED
WHAT TO SAY:
Hi, my name is [YOUR NAME] and I’m calling to urge you to vote yes on HB 1413, a bill that will eliminate the practice of automatically sentencing people to longer prison sentences because of crimes they committed as children.
Automatically increasing a person’s punishment because of an offense committed as a youth neither serves that individual nor public safety.
What it does do is raise the overall cost of corrections by punishing people twice for the same offense.
HB 1413 has widespread social and political support. It leads with racial justice and evidence. Please vote yes!
[IT PERSONAL BY ADDING YOUR STORY]