S.E.A. 9, P.L. 66-2026 Effective: July 1, 2026 Requires a defendant to be present in the courtroom while a victim makes a statement concerning the crime and the sentence, unless the defendant presents a safety risk or causes a significant disruption. Provides that if a defendant fails to appear at sentencing and is later taken into custody, the court may hold a hearing to … [Read more...] about Victim impact statements
sentencing
Public safety
S.E.A. 160, P.L. 112-2026 Effective: July 1, 2026 Makes wearing a mask during the commission of a criminal offense a sentencing aggravator. Makes it malicious littering, a Class A misdemeanor, for a person to place refuse on the property of another person with the intent to cause the owner or occupant of the property to reasonably fear for their physical safety. Read … [Read more...] about Public safety
Victim impact statements at sentencing
At a previous hearing, the House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard SB 9 on victim impact statements at sentencing sponsored by Rep. King and Rep. Morris and authored by Sen. Brown. The bill requires a defendant to be present in the courtroom while a victim makes a statement concerning the crime and the sentence unless the defendant presents a safety risk, causes a significant … [Read more...] about Victim impact statements at sentencing
Public safety
The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard SB 160 on public safety sponsored by Rep. Lopez and authored by Sen. Deery and Sen. Clark. The bill makes wearing a mask during the commission of a criminal offense a sentencing aggravator. The bill also makes it malicious littering, a Class A misdemeanor, for a person to place refuse on the property of another person with the … [Read more...] about Public safety
Unlawful proposition penalties
The House Committee on Courts and Criminal Code heard HB 1269 on unlawful proposition penalties authored by Rep. Bauer. The bill provides that at the time of sentencing for a person convicted of making an unlawful proposition, the court may require the person to complete a prostitution offender program approved by the court. The bill also requires a person ordered to complete a p … [Read more...] about Unlawful proposition penalties