Conn. considers reforming broken school zone law

Conn. Judicial Committee hears testimony in favor of sentencing enhancement zone reform.

by Aleks Kajstura, March 13, 2014

Yesterday, I testified before Connecticut’s Judiciary Committee in support of reforming Connecticut’s sentencing enhancement laws (my testimony starts at 3:34:03).

Connecticut’s 1,500-foot sentencing enhancement zones, meant to protect children from drug activity, are some of the largest in the country. I described how the law’s sheer expanse means it fails to actually set apart protected areas and that it arbitrarily increases penalties for urban residents. As Senator Holder-Winfield concisely explains, Senate Bill 259 would decrease that size to a more effective 200 feet.

For more details, check out the video above and my written testimony (with maps).

And check back in soon, I’m releasing a report examining Connecticut’s sentencing enhancement zones on the 28th.