Penalties

West Virginia’s New ‘Lauren’s Law’ Ramps Up Penalties for Fentanyl Crimes Following Local Tragedy

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. — In a significant legislative move, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey has enacted “Lauren’s Law,” a new statute set to substantially toughen the penalties for drug offenses, particularly those involving the deadly synthetic opioid, fentanyl. The law, which was signed on Thursday, represents a robust response to the escalating fentanyl crisis that has devastated many communities across the state. Named in memory of Lauren Cole, a 26-year-old West Virginia University alumna from Morgantown, the legislation emerges in the wake of her tragic death caused by unwittingly consuming drugs laced with fentanyl. This new … Read more

Iowa House Passes Bill to Strengthen Enforcement of Federal Immigration Laws, Introduces Penalties for Non-Compliance by Law Enforcement Officers

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Des Moines, Iowa — In a significant legislative action, the Iowa House of Representatives recently approved a bill aimed at reinforcing the compliance with federal immigration laws by state law enforcement agencies. The bill, known as House File 946, was introduced as a method to ensure the uniform enforcement of immigration statutes across Iowa, setting protocols for local law enforcement, including sheriffs, on how they interact with federal immigration directives. Rep. Ray Sorensen, representing District 23, has been a vocal supporter of the bill, describing it as a necessary step to bolster public safety and … Read more

Thailand Tightens Laws on Cybercrimes: Hefty Penalties Set for Online Grooming and Cyberbullying

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Bangkok, Thailand – Thailand’s Justice Ministry has proposed a significant overhaul of the Criminal Code, targeting an array of digital offenses including online grooming, sexting, sextortion, cyberstalking, and cyberbullying. The proposed amendments introduce stringent penalties in a bid to increase the protection of children from online-related crimes. Under the new legislation, engaging in behaviors such as luring minors for sexual purposes could result in up to three years in prison and/or fines that could reach 10,000 baht. The penalties escalate based on certain aggravating circumstances, such as the age of the victim and the means … Read more

Atlantic Beach Enforces Tougher Penalties for Public Camping, Offers Shelter Alternatives

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Atlantic Beach, Fla. – In an effort to align with a new state legislation enacted last year, the city of Atlantic Beach has updated its regulations to increase penalties for camping and sleeping in public areas. This legislative change gives police enhanced powers to handle such occurrences, marking a significant shift in the city’s approach to managing public spaces. The updated ordinance comes in response to concerns about public safety and the availability of appropriate accommodations for individuals found sleeping outside. Previously, city policy required law enforcement to verify the availability of shelter beds before … Read more