Vermont Bill Weighs Sentencing Costs

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A Senate committee is taking testimony on the bill that would require judges to consider the financial costs of possible sentences before imposing them.

Supporters say the intention is to improve results and save costs.

But the head of the Department of State's Attorney's and Sheriffs' Association opposes that part of the proposal. Bram Kranichfeld testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Friday that requiring a consideration of the financial cost to be part of the sentencing criteria would be inappropriate in many cases and could result in unfair sentences.

Defender General Matthew Valerio disagreed. He said that it's not inappropriate for costs to be part of the consideration when corrections costs are unsustainable and said other considerations such as public safety or likelihood of rehabilitation would be considered first.

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