Missouri’s prosecutors recently honored four legislators who have performed outstanding service on behalf of Missouri’s prosecutors and the criminal justice system. These four individuals were honored at the Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys (MAPA) Capitol Conference on February 4, 2020.
Senator Tony Luetkemeyer and Representative David Evans were recipients of the Legislator of the Year Award for their respective branches of the legislature. The award recognizes legislators who have performed truly exemplary leadership in the General Assembly to protect and defend the rights of crime victims, the profession of prosecution and the criminal justice system.
Representative Evans was honored for his work on several items, including sponsoring MAPA’s bill on needed improvements to the criminal code, and a bill to clarify parts of the sexual offender registration laws. He was also recognized for his invaluable advice and counsel regarding improvements to civil and criminal justice based on his many years of experience as a judge.
Senator Luetkemeyer was honored for his outstanding work as chair of the Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee. In his position as chair, Senator Luetkemeyer saw that sensible, smart criminal justice reform legislation was heard and passed. Specifically, the senator made sure that public safety and crime victims were considered and protected in the passage and enactment into law of revisions to the mandatory minimum provisions of Section 558.019, RSMo, by ensuring that dangerous and career criminals were appropriately sentenced.
Senator Bob Onder and Representative David Griffith were recipients of the Legislative Champion Award for their respective legislative bodies. The award recognizes legislators for outstanding legislative efforts to improve the criminal justice system.
Senator Onder was recognized for his insight and assistance in seeing that criminal justice related legislation was passed that ensured public safety and the protection of victims. He sponsored in the senate MAPA’s bill on needed improvements to the criminal code, and sought legislation enhancing penalties for the offense of controlled substances containing fentanyl or carfentanil.
Representative Griffith sponsored and saw enacted into law HB 547 which requires each judicial circuit to establish a veterans’ treatment court, and authorizes the use of diversion programs by the state’s prosecutors.
