Governor Lombardo Proposes Major Changes to Nevada’s Criminal Justice System
CARSON CITY, NV – On April 7, Governor Joe Lombardo unveiled the “Safe Streets and Neighborhoods Act,” a comprehensive 84-page criminal justice reform bill aimed at addressing rising crime rates in Nevada. Introduced as SB457, the legislation seeks to enhance public safety and reinvigorate the state’s penal code. Lombardo emphasized efforts to tackle repeat offenders and reduce thresholds for “habitual criminal” charges significantly, now requiring only two felony convictions for harsher penalties.
Key provisions include lowering the trafficking threshold for fentanyl from 28 grams to 4 grams and decreasing the retail theft threshold from $1,200 to $750 to combat increasingly frequent theft incidents. The bill also aims to eliminate diversion programs for crimes against children and the elderly and enhances penalties for DUI-related deaths.
This proposal aims to reverse measures from the 2019 Assembly Bill 236, which sought to reduce the prison population but has drawn criticism for rising crime rates. While opponents argue that the bill’s provisions aren’t linked to crime increases, Lombardo and supporters believe SB457 is essential for restoring public safety. The bill awaits legislative review, with discussions ongoing among lawmakers.
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