Everett City Council Set to Vote on Critical Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Law

The Everett City Council will take action this week on an ordinance which would require mandatory minimum sentencing for repeat offenders of certain crimes, including public drug use. The vote will take place at the Everett City Council meeting this Wednesday, December 20th, at 6:30pm. 

If the new law is adopted, Everett will follow the City of Marysville and become the second city in Snohomish County to enact mandatory minimum sentencing. This move is critical for public safety, particularly in light of the abdication of responsibility by many local judges who refuse to impose appropriate sentences on criminals who have been convicted of drug-related crimes. With mandatory minimum sentencing, activist judges cannot impose sentences below the minimum threshold enacted by the legislative body.

In the ordinance being considered by the Everett City Council, criminals who are arrested, prosecuted, and convicted in court on two separate occasions will face a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 days in jail if they are arrested, prosecuted, and convicted for a third time within the same two-year period. 

The ordinance covers a range of crimes, including:

• Assault
• Harassment
• Theft
• Public drug use
• Trespassing
• Vehicle prowling
• Loitering for the purposes of engaging in drug-related activity
• Criminal mischief for damaging another person’s property

CONTACT EVERETT CITY COUNCILMEMBERS NOW TO REQUEST A “YES” VOTE

Recent Everett City Council votes have been decided on a 4-3 margin. It is unclear whether there are enough votes to pass this mandatory minimum sentencing ordinance at Wednesday night’s Council meeting, so your engagement can make a big difference on this critical issue. 

Please contact the Everett City Councilmembers today by emailing council@everettwa.gov and request that each Councilmember vote “Yes” on Council Bill 2311-70.

https://www.everettwa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/16367?fileID=91466