Statement on Laken Riley Act moving forward

As the U.S. Senate advanced the Laken Riley Act one step closer to becoming law Thursday, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty released the following statement:

“The tragic death of Laken Riley is a horrific loss, and my heart goes out to her family and loved ones. If the goal of this bill is to protect public safety, its supporters should know that it will do the opposite.

“Fewer victims will come forward for fear of bringing attention to themselves or their family members, making it more difficult for law enforcement to solve serious cases. Critical witnesses that are needed to prosecute people for serious, violent crime will be unavailable because they have been arrested—not even charged or convicted—for low-level offenses like shoplifting.

“The only beneficiaries of this bill are individuals who have harmed community members and will escape accountability. There are ways to protect public safety. This bill is not one of them.”

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