Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-01-14
TO HEAD OFF CRIME


IAN Act Relating to Punishment
for Certain Crimes is the title of a
bill introduced on Thursday by Rep
Blaine s. Viles of Augusta. which
promises to bring about the most i'm
pcrtant revision of the criminal laws
made for years by the Legislature.
The Statement of Facts accom-
panying the bill tells the story briefly
and well, as follows:
1.-THE amendments Incorporated in
this proposed law increase to some
extent the terms of Imprisonment to
be imposed in cases of larceny, bur-
glary, robbery and kindred crimes
and in one case increase the fine.
Most of our criminal laws already
contain sufficient penal provisions pro-
vided the same were always enforced,
but in the sections which are amended
by this law the usual provision has
been not more than term of years.
These amendments provide for "a
minimum term as well, viz: not less
than term of years.
"a crime wave has evidently
started in New York and is spread
ing to other ara more remote states.
The offences have been chiefly in the
way of holdups-all falling within the
crimes of larceny. burglary, robbery,
assault with dangerous weapon with
intent to commit one of the above
crimes. It is the theory of this pro-
posed law that by increasing the
penalties for the commission of these
and kindred crimes, the criminals
may in part be prevented from seek
ing Maine as a field for their opera
lions. Furthermore, punishment with
, sufficient severity in case they start
for Maine, so that tho crime wave
| may be discouraged.
1.-THE particular changes suggested
| by this law are as follows:
"O Robbery. Heretofore no pro-
vision for minimum. Now a mini
! mnm imprisonment of not less than
| five years.
"(2) Assault with intent to COM
| NIT felony. Minimum Imprisonment
| raised from one to five years where
assault armed with dangerous
weapon: when not so armed, by in
cIusion of a minimum sentence of not
i less than one year, whereas hereto
fore no minimum was provided.
"(3) Assault with intent to COM
! init lesser felony. Previous provision
not more than five years Amend
ment of not less than one and not
more than 10 years.
~ Assault and battery. Maxi
mum raised from to 10 years. In
connection with this section it will
be noted that there is no minimum
provided so that the court is still
free to impose a nominal minimum
imprisonment where the assault and
battery was not in the opinion of the
court a serious matter.
"(5) Burglary. Previous provision
any term of years. Amendment adds
but never less than 5 years. Bur-
glary which consists not only of
larceny or the intention to commit
larceny but also the breaking and
entering in the night time of dwell
ing house certainly should have a
minimum provision.
400 Larceny. Previous provision
not less than one nor more than 5
years. Amendment changes 5 to 10.
~ Larceny from a dwelling house
at night. Minimum of one year
raised to years; commission of the
same offence in the day. time mini
mum imprisonment of not less than
one year added
"(8) Larceny from the person.
Previous provision not more than 6
years or $500 fine. Amendment not
less than one nor more than 10 years
or $1,000 fine.
The act provides for the law to take
effect when approved by the Governor
otherwise it would not take effect
until 30 days after the adjournment
Of the Legislature, which would carry
it until next summer. If the law is
needed, it is needed now"