Battle Creek Times

The House Judiciary Committee has moved forward with a series of bills aimed at addressing violent crime in Michigan. Sponsored by Judiciary Chairwoman Sarah Lightner, the legislation targets individuals who committed murder at ages 19 and 20.

Lightner's legislative package, comprising House Bills 4506-4508, was developed in response to recent Michigan Supreme Court rulings that required resentencing hearings for numerous offenders and imposed new deadlines on prosecutors. According to Lightner, these changes threatened to allow some murderers to receive lighter sentences due to time constraints faced by prosecutors. Her proposed laws aim to double the time available for prosecutors to seek life without parole sentences.

“These are not kids. These are grown adults who made an adult decision to take a life,” said Lightner. “The Supreme Court may have gone soft, but we’re not letting Michigan become a safe haven for murderers. This bill package puts teeth back into the law and makes sure prosecutors can still seek real consequences.”

Before the committee vote, testimony was heard from prosecutors and victims' advocates across Michigan. They expressed concerns about the implications of the Supreme Court’s decisions on public safety and victim trauma. Prosecutors from Eaton, Calhoun, and Kalamazoo counties highlighted how these rulings could embolden offenders and undermine safety.

Key elements of Lightner's bills include expanding prosecutorial authority by allowing more time—180 days for prior convictions and 84 days for new cases—to file for life without parole for offenders aged 19 or 20. The legislation also proposes tougher sentencing guidelines with minimum terms set between 35–50 years and maximum terms up to 80 years served consecutively with other sentences.

“The people I represent expect their lawmakers to stand with victims, not with violent offenders,” Lightner stated.

The proposed legislation will now be considered by the full House.