Issue Position: On Criminal Justice

Issue Position

Stephanie is an advocate for innovation and reform in the criminal justice system. Stephanie believes that our criminal justice programs should focus on restitution and rehabilitation, not excessive jail sentences and fines that leave individuals in a cycle of debt.
* Ensure all individuals accused of a crime are fairly represented by establishing a statewide indigent criminal defense system
* Prioritize rehabilitation by increasing access to drug treatment programs and accessible mental health care
* Implement pretrial risk assessment tools that determine whether an individual should be held before trial based on whether that person poses a risk to the community, not whether they can afford bail
* Increase transparency in the legal process and ensure every individual accused of a crime has the opportunity to hear a plea deal or negotiate a resolution of their case prior to appearing before a judge
* Maintain public control over state prisons

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