House Republicans Consider Repealing Outdated Crimes

Michigan Capitol Confidential ^ | 4/12/2015 | Michael Reitz

[MichCapCon]

Yesterday the House Committee on Criminal Justice heard testimony on a package of bills that would amend or repeal several archaic laws. Among the laws under consideration are criminal prohibitions on participating in walkathons, playing “The Star‑Spangled Banner” as part of a medley, using “reproachful” language and selling dyed baby chicks and rabbits. The hearing was covered by the Detroit Free Press and MLive.com.

A study published by the Mackinac Center and Manhattan Institute found that Michigan has more than 3,100 criminal prohibitions in statute. The study identified numerous criminal laws that could be either repealed or amended to reduce the penalties.

The efforts to prune unnecessary crimes from the books are led by a work group led by Rep. Chris Afendoulis, R‑Grand Rapids Township, and Rep. Kurt Heise, R‑Plymouth.

This is a worthwhile process; a review by the Michigan Legislature will identify dozens of laws that no longer serve a useful purpose in protecting people or property. Additionally, the Legislature should enact a bill that would clarify whether criminal defendants should have known they were committing a crime.

[napscoordinator]

Our tax payer money hard at work. And after a two week vacation. I guess this is the most important thing to do in America today.

[rstrahan]

every state has such useless laws on the books. A review every 10 years would go a long way to streamlining the laws.

[Vigilanteman]

That or a requirement to find a law to repeal when each new one is enacted.

[Old Sarge]

To make room for the new crimes - like Homeschooling, Ungoodthinking, or Breathing While Republican...

[fwdude]

every state has such useless laws on the books. A review every 10 years would go a long way to streamlining the laws.

Or just make every law automatically sunset in a decade or so.

[Rockpile]

I wonder if Michigan was one of the states that mandated sauerkraut be called victory cabbage.

[rightwingcrazy]

“Or just make every law automatically sunset in a decade or so.”

That, and require supporting legislators each to write out the text of the law in longhand to enact or renew the law.

[Svartalfiar]

“Or just make every law automatically sunset in a decade or so.”

That, and require supporting legislators each to write out the text of the law in longhand to enact or renew the law.

Bahaha that would be funny. I would further say they should do it in cursive, but most of them likely don't know how.
Either way, a 10-year sunset in everything would really help get rid of a lot of the crappy laws. Wonder if the Dems/GOPe would even be able to re-pass the GCA 68?

[joe fonebone]

i believe in the “10 to 1” law..

for every law passed, 10 have to be repealed..

this can be accomplished by wrapping the 10 laws into one, or just elimination of 10 laws..

[Rockpile]

There ought to also be a moratorium on any gooberment agency passing new regulations. The rregulating marxists are often much worse than the legislators.