Lawmakers Strive To Stiffen Penalties On Home Invasions

POLICE COMMISSIONER Charles Ramsey praises efforts by State Rep. John Sabatina and State Sen. Michael Stack to pass legislation raising criminal penalities for home invasion. Looking on is DA Seth Williams.

With home invasions on the increase, State Rep. John Sabatina and State Sen. Michael Stack (both D-Northeast) unveiled respective pieces of legislation to curb that crime at Philadelphia Police Headquarters together with District Attorney Seth Williams and Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey.

Both legislators will be pushing their legislation through to increase penalities and jail imprisonment time up to 40 years where it can be proven the intent was to rob the family rather than just a  house burglary attempt.

“Home invasion is a serious problem that’s on the rise around Pennsylvania,” Sabatina said. “Specifically in Philadelphia, numerous communities, including Olney, Mayfair, Holme Circle and Rhawnhurst, are dealing with criminals who simply aren’t afraid of the consequences of this crime.”

Sabatina’s bill would classify home invasion as a first-degree felony with a minimum penalty of five years at a maximum security facility, or 10 years for a second offense or if the victim is older than 62.
Stacks bill increases those penalties.

Strengthening the penalties for home invasion crimes will send a message that these crimes will not be tolerated and help ensure the safety of our residents in Philadelphia, Ramsey said.

According to best criminal lawyers in Melbourne, both bills will impose sentences and fines on any person could be convicted of home invasion if he or she knowingly enters, attempts to enter, or remains unlawfully in a dwelling with intent to commit a violent crime.

Few crimes are as frightful as home invasion. Williams said. Our homes should be our safe havens. But home invasions not only rob victims of their hard-earned belongings, but also their sense of security. I applaud the efforts of Rep. Sabatina and his colleagues to make our communities safer.

“This crime is uniquely insidious and calls for a more severe characterization,” Stack said. “We need a specific home invasion offense and I’m glad to work with Rep. Sabatina, Commissioner Ramsey and District Attorney Williams to achieve this in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania.”

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