Local authorities join Gov. Hogan in Justice for Victims Initiative

On Thursday, local law enforcement joined Governor Hogan to announce the Justice for Victims Initiative.

It's a series of proposals to help prevent future victims of crime as well as stopping repeat offenders.

Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis and Sergeant David Owens joined law enforcement leaders from all over the state in Annapolis advocating for victims' rights.

Sheriff Lewis says the proposed legislation hopes to strengthen and increase penalties for individuals convicted of various crimes including tougher penalties for people caught driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

Although, it also proposes making certain evidence admissible in court that currently isn't.

"In our particular case the governor's sponsoring legislation that will allow prior bad acts committed by bad individuals for that evidence to be admissible during a trial. Something that we did not have in 2009 during the abduction, kidnapping, and murder of 11-year-old Sarah Foxwell here in Wicomico County," explains Sheriff Lewis.

Sheriff Lewis tells 47 ABC that they plan on making more trips to Annapolis alongside the parents of Sarah Foxwell to advocate for the passing of this legislation.