Gov. Jack Markell signed into law Friday a bill that declassifies minor violations in Delaware State Parks -- including fishing without a license and driving on a state park beach without a surf permit.
Chief Justice Leo Strine partnered with Markell and lawmakers like State Sen. David McBride (D-Hawk's Nest) and State Rep. Debra Heffernan (D-Bellefonte, Claymont, Edgemoor) to develop the measure. Strine says it's another attempt to make punishments fit the crime.
"We observed people in real life coming before us who were having problems getting a job because they had had a dog off a leash in a park. That took up our time in the board of pardons when we were trying to consider more serious cases."
Heffernan calls the law a “jobs bill” because the record clearing will allow more people to gain employment.
The law exempts the first offense of these violations from appearing on criminal history records, but Strine says it still holds minor environmental offenders accountable through fines.
Strine adds the new law should save taxpayer money, allowing more criminal justice resources to go toward more significant offenses.
"Because [had the law not been passed], they’re going to have less time to deal with the real crimes, violent crimes, other sorts of offenses, which people actually worry about, and which adversely affect public safety," said Strine.
