Frankfort, Ky. (March. 24, 2022)—Today, the Kentucky Smart on Crime Coalition released the following statement after the Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary advanced HB 311, sponsored by House Judiciary Chairman Ed Massey, legislation aimed at relieving the severe backlog of court cases in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. HB 311 offers a legislative endorsement of felony mediation in some cases to bring parties together in a way to engage in alternative dispute resolution. Former judges or skilled mediators will meet with defendants, prosecutors, and clients to reach an amicable solution to a case.
“The caseloads before the courts are staggering, and, in many instances, the relevant parties can reach an agreement about a path forward in a more expedient but still fair manner through the use of a mediator,” said Phillip Lawson legislative agent for the Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers on behalf of the Kentucky Smart on Crime Coalition.
“Mediation is voluntary on both sides and often the best way to move forward. Success rates are high, and I think that is a testament to the fact that parties believe it is a credible forum. Sometimes this takes the form of a restorative justice approach, which can be an excellent avenue for both the victim(s) and accused.
Our coalition believes this is a useful tool and we hope the full Senate will offer their legislative endorsement before the session concludes on April 14,” continued Lawson.
About Kentucky Smart on Crime:
Kentucky Smart on Crime is a broad-based coalition working for common sense justice reforms that proactively address individual and systemic racial disparities and inequities, improve public health, enhance public safety, strengthen communities and promote cost-effective sentencing alternatives. Partner organizations include American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy Solutions, Kentucky Center for Economic Policy, Kentucky Council of Churches, Catholic Conference of Kentucky, Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs, Inc., Kentucky Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Kentucky Youth Advocates, Volunteers of America Mid-States, Inc., NAACP Kentucky, Kentucky Criminal Justice Forum, and United Way of Kentucky. For more information, visit: kysmartoncrime.com or @kysmartoncrime on Twitter.