© 2024 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Legislative Project Would Repeal Outdated Criminal Offenses

thenationalherald.com

The state House has begun an effort to scrub outdated laws from the books and shrink the size of Michigan’s criminal code.

We have more from The Michigan Public Radio Network’s Rick Pluta.

Some of the early targets include bans on cursing in front of women and children, playing the national anthem in movie theaters, and selling dyed chicks and bunnies.  

But Republican state Representative Chris Afendoulis says getting rid outdated laws is serious business.

“Our overall criminal code is disorganized and it does place our citizens at risk of potentially violating a growing array of crimes that we’ve put on the books,” he says.

Afedoulis says going forward, he also wants to tackle decriminalizing more serious offenses, including some that have put people in jail or prison.

Rick Pluta is Senior Capitol Correspondent for the Michigan Public Radio Network. He has been covering Michigan’s Capitol, government, and politics since 1987. His journalism background includes stints with UPI, The Elizabeth (NJ) Daily Journal, The (Pontiac, MI) Oakland Press, and WJR. He is also a lifelong public radio listener.
Journalism at this station is made possible by donors who value local reporting. Donate today to keep stories like this one coming. It is thanks to your generosity that we can keep this content free and accessible for everyone. Thanks!