Lots of new bills added this last 2 days.      

Take a look here -> https://2ahawaii.com/index.php?topic=21792.msg196285#msg196285

How about a bill that would require court judges to STOP allowing "plea bargains", reduced jail sentences and imply stronger changes to the judicial system for repeat offenders and career criminals that use firearms in crimes.

How about a bill that would require court judges to STOP allowing "plea bargains", reduced jail sentences and imply stronger changes to the judicial system for repeat offenders and career criminals that use firearms in crimes.

Yes, stopping the "Revolving door" policy would be great!

Unfortunately there are some very real challenges to overcome before this could happen.

First: The courts are clogged with cases. Prosecutors use the plea bargain to "move things along" and keep the more insignificant cases from going to trial. Were we to suddenly change that the backlog would go from months to years. The ACLU would be screaming because criminals would be spending more time awaiting trial in prison than the sentence would be for the crime. This happens anyway, but would become a problem of epic proportions if every case went to trial.

Second: Prosecutors and Defense attorneys both like plea bargains. Prosecutors because they are assured a conviction, and the "win/loss" column is the only thing their job performance is really judged on. Defense attorneys because they get a "result" that mollifies their client and helps with repeat business. This is also why we have so many people in prison that would probably be proven "not guilty" were the case to go to trial. It's easier and less expensive for the accused to plea to a lesser offense, and both attorneys "get paid", so to speak.

Third: Our jails and prisons are full. There was a blurb on the news just this last week that OCCC is running at 125% capacity. We're even "time sharing" with the federal facility by the airport. New prisons desperately need to be built, but  we all know that democrats hate spending money on infrastructure that could be used to buy votes. Then you have the NIMBY factor. Everyone wants more prisons, but do you want one in your neighborhood? Probably not. We can convict criminals, but if we don't have a place to keep them, they're going to end up back on the street to commit more crimes.

I agree with you, but making it happen would require a massive overhaul of our judicial system. One that is long overdue.

Hey JL can I make a suggestion about the spreadsheet. 
Maybe somewhere on there you can make an index key/map key letting everyone know what the difference colors mean.  I get the red, yellow green, but what about the purple, and I think I may have saw blue as well, not sure could be making that one up.  Just a suggestion.

Another thing I noticed is a lot of the anti bills already had and passed their first readings, meanwhile all the pro 2a bills only got sent to committee but didn't even get a reading yet.  Time to send even more emails out and I encourage everyone to keep sending more emails as well

Take a close look at entry #24, SB 2711 page 3 line 16
If I read it right, it says that ANY offense under HRS 712 Part IV is cause for denial.
Taken literally this would include something as insignificant as a DUI from times past no matter how far back.
Somehow this does not seem right. While not something to be proud of, it is a misdemeanor, and not a crime of violence.
Same might apply for a misdemeanor possession of the wild wood or other minor non violent transgressions.
Perhaps there is room for rewording this part of the bill.
Most people have some kind of minor skeleton in their closet. We were all young and stupid once.
Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.
Just thoughts
Gordy

PS Thanks to JI808 for making this available. Great job!

Yes, stopping the "Revolving door" policy would be great!

Unfortunately there are some very real challenges to overcome before this could happen.

First: The courts are clogged with cases. Prosecutors use the plea bargain to "move things along" and keep the more insignificant cases from going to trial. Were we to suddenly change that the backlog would go from months to years. The ACLU would be screaming because criminals would be spending more time awaiting trial in prison than the sentence would be for the crime. This happens anyway, but would become a problem of epic proportions if every case went to trial.

Second: Prosecutors and Defense attorneys both like plea bargains. Prosecutors because they are assured a conviction, and the "win/loss" column is the only thing their job performance is really judged on. Defense attorneys because they get a "result" that mollifies their client and helps with repeat business. This is also why we have so many people in prison that would probably be proven "not guilty" were the case to go to trial. It's easier and less expensive for the accused to plea to a lesser offense, and both attorneys "get paid", so to speak.

Third: Our jails and prisons are full. There was a blurb on the news just this last week that OCCC is running at 125% capacity. We're even "time sharing" with the federal facility by the airport. New prisons desperately need to be built, but  we all know that democrats hate spending money on infrastructure that could be used to buy votes. Then you have the NIMBY factor. Everyone wants more prisons, but do you want one in your neighborhood? Probably not. We can convict criminals, but if we don't have a place to keep them, they're going to end up back on the street to commit more crimes.

I agree with you, but making it happen would require a massive overhaul of our judicial system. One that is long overdue.

True challenges