This bill amends existing Arkansas law to stipulate that only a court, rather than a jury, will determine the punishment for defendants charged with felonies or misdemeanors, with the exception of capital murder cases. The bill modifies Arkansas Code 5-4-103 to remove the jury's role in fixing punishment and instead assigns this responsibility solely to the court. It also clarifies that sentencing will be conducted by trained judicial officers, emphasizing the need for consistency and predictability in sentencing, as well as the technical nature of the sentencing process.

Additionally, the bill revises the bifurcated sentencing procedures outlined in Arkansas Code 16-97-101. It eliminates the requirement for a jury to hear additional evidence relevant to sentencing after a guilty verdict and instead allows the court to impose a sentence based on evidence presented during the trial. The court may also conduct further proceedings if necessary to determine an appropriate sentence. Overall, the bill aims to streamline the sentencing process and ensure that it is handled by judges rather than juries in non-capital cases.