Opposition to a bill to shorten sentences for violent criminals is growing.

11th Circuit Solicitor Rick Hubbard of Lexington said the bill will make violent criminals and child rapists eligible for early release.

“I stand with victims of violent crime in opposing bills S.155, S.161, H.3322, and H.3580. These bills would retroactively release thousands of our state’s most dangerous criminals back onto our streets,” Hubbard said.

By releasing the worst of the worst criminals, this legislation creates a real and substantial risk to our public safety.”

Hubbard is not alone.  

Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon and Sen, Dick Harpootlian, a former proecutor, both are concerned.

Hubbard said the bills will turn “our over-worked criminal courts into parole boards for violent offenders.”

“Any criminal serving a substantial sentence for a heinous crime, such as rape or homicide by child abuse, can petition the circuit court for early release after serving a mere 15 years.”  

“If the offender’s petition is denied, he can re-petition the court every 2 years until he is released.”

Hubbard cited an example of a 12 year old girl who was repeatedly sexually assaulted as a child.

Her assailant was sentenced to 40 years in prison without parole. This proposal will require her to return to court when she is 27 and relive these horrible events to ensure her violator remains in prison.

She will be re-victimized every 2 years for the duration of the 40 year sentence. Yet a court could release her violator over her objections.

“How can we expect this young lady, or any victim, to have faith in a justice system that does this? he said.

“Supporters claim they are simply trying to address the problem of prison overcrowding and that these bills focus on non-violent offenders. Unfortunately, this is not accurate,” he said.

“The majority of the crimes addressed in these bills are violent crimes.”

Under state law, violent criminals must serve 85% of their sentences.

Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon and other law enforcement professionals are concerned because the bill removes nearly all mandatory minimum sentences, reduces the time an inmate serves and reduces sentences for drug offenses.

“Lawmakers will likely add amendments and strike parts of the bill,” Koon said, “but we need to remember victims. I am mindful of efforts to rehabilitate inmates and make offenders’ reentry into society smooth. We’ll continue to monitor this bill to ensure the end product fosters faith in our system.”

Opponents say offenders could be granted early release to see family and friends, but families who lost loved ones argue they’ll never get that chance.