The Legislature began debate Tuesday on a bill (LB 447) that would eliminate mandatory minimum sentences for some crimes.
The bill would eliminate the mandatory minimum sentences for Class IC and ID felonies. Those minimum sentences of three or five years must be served before any good time can be counted against a sentence.
Class IC felonies include use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony, possession of certain amounts of illegal drugs, and distribution and manufacture of hazardous drugs in a school zone. Class ID offenses include possession of certain illegal drugs (10-28 grams), assault on a police officer or health care professional, some hate crimes, possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking offense or by a prohibited person, and manufacture or distribution of child pornography.