The bill amends the law regarding the revocation of probation or suspended sentences in Arkansas. It introduces a requirement for a period of incarceration for defendants who repeatedly violate the terms of their probation or suspended sentence. Specifically, the bill modifies Arkansas Code 16-93-309(d) to state that after a revocation hearing, if a defendant is found guilty at a subsequent hearing, the court may revoke the probation or suspended sentence and sentence the defendant to incarceration.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that if a defendant has had their probation or suspended sentence revoked at least three times, the court is mandated to sentence them to a period of incarceration that is at least equal to the term of imprisonment for the original offense. This change aims to impose stricter consequences for habitual offenders, thereby enhancing accountability and compliance with probationary terms.

Statutes affected:
HB 1871: 16-93-309(d)