Issue Position: Criminal Justice Reform

Oklahomans are more likely to be incarcerated than people of any other state. Our limited access to legal representation, a heavy reliance on fees and fines to fund our courts and district attorneys, private prisons, and limited access to mental health and drug rehabilitation services all contribute to high incarceration rates.
​
By funding core services with stable sources of revenue our dependency on fines and fees to keep our courts open will be reduced. With a commitment to establishing drug and mental health courts, our prison populations will decrease. And by eliminating private prisons, the profit motives to incarcerate Oklahomans will end. Fees can also be set at levels that low-wage earners can pay, and avoid incarceration for failing to pay their fines.
​
Oklahomans also need access to high quality legal representation that they can afford. As State Senator I will work with attorneys to build upon my experience as a pro-bono attorney to make the justice system more available to all Oklahomans.

Source