ATEHNS - Governor Perdue says convicted felons should serve 90 percent of their sentences and judges should use guidelines to ensure equal justice statewide. <br>
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He made his remarks Wednesday in Athens to the Council of Superior Court Judges. The new governor says he is leaning toward introducing truth-in-sentencing legislation. <br>
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Perdue says he might sign an executive order requiring the Board of Pardons and Paroles to adopt that policy if the Legislature does not pass the measure. <br>
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Board policy calls for offenders committing any of 20 serious crimes to serve 90 percent of their sentences. But dozens of less serious crimes do not have that requirement. <br>
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Perdue asked the judiciary to seriously consider guidelines proposed last month that are designed to eliminate disparate sentences handed down for similar crimes in different areas of the state. <br>
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Perdue said it's the governor's responsibility to guarantee certainty in sentencing. He says for too long, judges have given longer prison terms to ensure offenders serve a minimum amount of time before being paroled.
