Three years ago, a family was shattered. A son, a future husband, and a father to a three-year-old girl was taken away by a ruthless act of murder. As a grieving parent, I have faced an unbearable loss; the loss of my son. Our tragedy amplified by the legal system permitting murderers to move away from the proper punishment via plea deals.

Our justice system should serve to provide justice, not a shortcut for the guilty. Plea deals, intended to reduce the time and cost of court proceedings, injustice in the case of heinous crimes such as murder. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, about 90% of convicted felons in the United States are sentenced using plea bargains. This can include murderers, who avoid the rightful and serious consequences of their actions.

As we strive to hold those who commit the most gruesome crimes accountable, plea deals can no longer be an accessible escape. On behalf of my son, his daughter, and all families that have been tragically affected by these events, we demand the prohibition of plea deals for murder convictions. I believe that the criminals should serve the full time of each charge consecutively not concurrently.

Let our plea be heard. Let it echo through the halls where decisions are made. The course of justice needs to change. Sign our petition to uphold the value of life and ensure murderers face the full measure of justice for their heinous actions.