Lawmakers Consider Eliminating Mandatory Sentencing

The Virginia General Assembly is looking at eliminating mandatory minimum sentencing for over 220 crimes. Those include DWI, child pornography and illegally possessing a weapon. The Virginia Crime Commission recommended advancing the bill introduced in the Senate with supporters saying mandatory minimums don’t take into account the specifics of the crime. The measure which has support from Governor Ralph Northam was approved Monday by the Senate Judiciary Committee.