Soft on crime, hard on victims: Olympia’s alarming legislative agenda

This legislative session, some lawmakers are doubling down on policies that many argue prioritize criminals over victims and public safety. From proposals to weaken sentencing laws to reducing penalties for using children in gang-related crimes, the majority in Olympia seems intent on continuing a trend that leaves communities less safe. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most controversial crime-related bills and why Washingtonians should demand a different approach.

House Bill 1125: Compassionate or emboldening activist judges?

Under current law, a county prosecutor can petition the court to have a felon resentenced if the original sentence is deemed to no longer serve the interests of justice.

House Bill 1125 seeks to expand this process by allowing convicted felons who have served at least 10 years of their sentence to petition the court directly for a reduced sentence. Supporters of the bill, such as King County Superior Court Judge Veronica Galvan, argue it creates opportunities for rehabilitation and redemption.

However, critics of HB 1125 warn that the bill would empower activist judges to release dangerous criminals, compromising public safety. During legislative hearings, Rep. Lauren Davis (D-Shoreline) highlighted instances where Judge Galvan’s decisions resulted in devastating consequences, including the release of individuals who went on to kill a 15-year-old boy and commit other heinous crimes.

Judge Galvin has even taken to social media in the past, announcing that she is “grateful to be surrounded by colleagues who support me in this endeavor.”

Judge Johanna Bender – part of Galvan’s coalition – has recently come under fire for indefensible decisions in freeing dangerous suspects while awaiting trial. Do we really want to give judges like this more authority to release criminals?

Ironically, the bill recognizes this concern as it requires funds for victim services, including therapy and relocation assistance for victims affected by the early release of criminals. While these services are necessary, the need for them highlights the underlying problem: this legislation prioritizes the early release of criminals over the safety and justice owed to their victims.

House Bill 1178: Reducing penalties for gun and gang crimes

House Bill 1178 is one of the most shocking crime bills to be introduced so far this year. If passed, it would reduce or eliminate sentencing enhancements for some of the most serious crimes, including:

• Sexually motivated crimes – making it easier for convicted sex offenders to serve lighter sentences.
• Gang leaders using children to commit felonies – reducing penalties for criminals who recruit minors into gang violence.
• Crimes committed with firearms – weakening laws that add extra prison time for using a gun in a violent crime.

Brandi Kruse, host of [un]Divided, called HB 1178 “the worst bill I’ve seen this session.” She continued,

“We’re supposed to believe [gun violence] is the number one issue in Washington State…At the same time they’re pushing all these gun control bills, they are pushing through this bill to reduce the punishment for criminals who use guns to commit a crime.”

Brandi invited State Rep. Roger Goodman (D) to her show to defend HB 1178. Rep. Goodman explained that the bill is designed to give judges more discretion when sentencing, particularly when it comes to “stacking” sentencing enhancements for crimes involving firearms or other aggravating factors. Under current law, each enhancement is applied consecutively, which can lead to significantly longer sentences.

Goodman argued that someone who was “merely wielding a weapon” but didn’t physically harm anyone shouldn’t face the same additional jail time as someone who pistol-whipped or shot their victim. Dumbfounded, Brandi asked Goodman to imagine being a victim of a robbery, “the store clerk who’s in there, and you tell me, that’s not a serious crime, just because they didn’t hurt someone.”

This soft-on-crime policy utterly disregards the experience of victims. Wielding a weapon in a crime is a direct act of intimidation that inflicts real trauma on victims. The idea that an armed criminal shouldn’t face extra prison time just because they didn’t fire their gun or beat their victim ignores the lasting fear and harm caused by their actions.

​​HB 1178 would send the message that pointing a gun at an innocent victim, recruiting kids into gang violence, or committing a sexually motivated crime will not get you heavy jail time. It also sends a message to the public that their safety and peace of mind take a back seat to compassion for criminals.

Why Washingtonians must demand accountability

The people of Washington deserve safety, peace of mind, and a justice system that prioritizes victims over offenders. While reforms to early-release policies may be worth discussing, HB 1125 and HB 1178 are far from the right solutions. Activist judges have already released prisoners who continued to menace our communities, and these bills will only embolden their efforts.

We are calling on everyone to contact your lawmakers NOW, demanding they vote NO on these bills.