Violent felons convicted of four offenses now face at least 25 years in prison, under a law signed Monday by Governor Rick Snyder.
In a written statement, Governor Snyder says the new law holds chronic offenders accountable, while giving some peace of mind to victims and their families.
There are 47 violent offenses covered in the new “four-strikes” law. They include kidnapping, rape, armed robbery, home invasion, and weapons violations. Attorney General Bill Schuette called for the tougher penalties. He says they will help keep people safe by locking up habitual offenders for many years, and aid in Michigan’s economic recovery. His office figures it will affect maybe 25 felons a year in Michigan.
Some critics of tougher mandatory sentences say the state would be better off by putting more felons into treatment and rehabilitation programs instead.