This bill proposes updates to section 13-501 of the Arizona Revised Statutes regarding criminal responsibility. It clarifies that the juvenile court does not have jurisdiction over individuals aged eighteen or older, maintaining the current statute's intent while simplifying the language. Additionally, it introduces new provisions for sentencing juveniles convicted as adults, allowing the court to impose sentences below the minimum required by law while explicitly prohibiting sentences such as death, natural life, de facto life, and life without the possibility of parole.

Furthermore, the bill defines "de facto life" as a sentence totaling twenty-five years or more and modifies the existing definitions related to violent offenses. The changes aim to provide more leniency in sentencing for juveniles while ensuring that certain severe penalties remain off the table. Overall, the bill seeks to reform the treatment of juvenile offenders within the adult criminal justice system.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 13-501