“The age crime curve shows that offending rises during adolescence and usually declines with age. Lowering criminal responsibility to 12 ignores that pattern. Labeling theory also warns that treating children as criminals early can reinforce a criminal identity instead of helping them move away from offending. Desistance research points in the opposite direction, most people grow out of crime as their lives change. Three strikes and zero tolerance rely heavily on harsher punishment, but deterrence theory suggests that the certainty of being caught matters more than simply increasing sentence length. Control and social learning theories also point towards stable relationships, work, education and communities as important factors in reducing crime. A justice system that focuses on punishment while weakening those ties risks making the problem worse, not better.”
Tougher Justice And Policing Reforms of 2022
Rationale
Rising youth crime and public safety concerns demand stricter justice, harsher punishments, and proactive policing to deter repeat offenders and protect communities.
Proposed Changes
| Law | Previous | Proposed | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Age of Criminal Responsibility |
From age 14
|
From age 12
|
|
| 2 | Prison & Sentencing Philosophy |
Rehabilitation and reintegration focus
|
Punishment-focused regime
|
|
| 3 | Repeat Offender Sentencing |
Escalating mandatory minimums
|
"Three strikes" — life on third serious offence
|
|
| 4 | Armed Police |
Mostly unarmed; specialist armed units on call
|
All frontline officers routinely armed
|
|
| 5 | Police Powers |
Community policing focused on prevention
|
Zero tolerance
|
1
Age of Criminal Responsibility2
Prison & Sentencing Philosophy3
Repeat Offender Sentencing4
Armed Police5
Police PowersProposer
Party
Homeland Alliance
A movement for citizens who believe that a nation's strength begins at home. The Homeland Alliance works to defend national interests, support hardworking families, and build a future based on stability, responsibility, and opportunity for all.
Core pillars
Karl Huber
Activist · Age 49
A media-savvy academic-turned-politician who rose to fame as a right-wing television pundit before leveraging his public influence to launch a meteoric political career, known for his sharp intellect and unscrupulous tactics in silencing opponents.
Timeline
-
Draft4 November 2022
-
Vote Open4 November 2022
-
Vote Closed3 January 2023
-
Became Law3 January 2023
Vote tally
Live tally across each chamber. Weighted by seats held.
Bundesrat
PassedFor: 34 / 69 seats (49.3%)
Against: 33 · Abstained: 0 · Not voted: 2
| Party | Seats | Vote | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alliance For Digital Freedom And Rights | 23 | No | We won't allow Saxenheim to become an authoritarian, illiberal regime that sacrifices safety and rehabilitation to propaganda, violence and securitarianism. |
| Homeland Alliance Proposer | 10 | Yes | No reason given |
| Left Forward | 10 | No | The age crime curve shows that offending rises during adolescence and usually declines with age. Lowering criminal responsibility to 12 ignores that pattern. Labeling theory also warns that treating children as criminals early can reinforce a criminal identity instead of helping them move away from offending. Desistance research points in the opposite direction, most people grow out of crime as their lives change. Three strikes and zero tolerance rely heavily on harsher punishment, but deterrence theory suggests that the certainty of being caught matters more than simply increasing sentence length. Control and social learning theories also point towards stable relationships, work, education and communities as important factors in reducing crime. A justice system that focuses on punishment while weakening those ties risks making the problem worse, not better. |
| Saxenheim Workers’ Union | 24 | Yes | This is what Saxenheim needs. |
| Empty seats | 5 | Not voted |
Bundestag
PassedFor: 320 / 650 seats (49.2%)
Against: 310 · Abstained: 0 · Not voted: 20
| Party | Seats | Vote | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alliance For Digital Freedom And Rights | 219 | No | We won't allow Saxenheim to become an authoritarian, illiberal regime that sacrifices safety and rehabilitation to propaganda, violence and securitarianism. |
| Homeland Alliance Proposer | 91 | Yes | No reason given |
| Left Forward | 91 | No | The age crime curve shows that offending rises during adolescence and usually declines with age. Lowering criminal responsibility to 12 ignores that pattern. Labeling theory also warns that treating children as criminals early can reinforce a criminal identity instead of helping them move away from offending. Desistance research points in the opposite direction, most people grow out of crime as their lives change. Three strikes and zero tolerance rely heavily on harsher punishment, but deterrence theory suggests that the certainty of being caught matters more than simply increasing sentence length. Control and social learning theories also point towards stable relationships, work, education and communities as important factors in reducing crime. A justice system that focuses on punishment while weakening those ties risks making the problem worse, not better. |
| Saxenheim Workers’ Union | 229 | Yes | This is what Saxenheim needs. |
| Empty seats | 52 | Not voted |
Voting record
Every vote must state a public reason. Most recent first.
“We won't allow Saxenheim to become an authoritarian, illiberal regime that sacrifices safety and rehabilitation to propaganda, violence and securitarianism.”
“This is what Saxenheim needs.”