Ignorance of the law is no excuse, but it sure helps get it passed.
The state legislature rushed criminal sentencing reform bills through late last year without the usual hearings. The contents were largely simplistic, and ditto for the debate about them so far.
The reforms appear to be based on suburban freak-out over a terrible but exceptional crime. The state legislature needs to take a breather, and far more input, in crafting meaningful and practical criminal justice reform.