This bill proposes significant updates to Arizona's sentencing laws, specifically targeting defendants who committed offenses as minors and were sentenced to over twenty-five years. Under the new provisions, a court would be required to reduce the prison term for such defendants after they have served a specified number of years, unless it is determined through a hearing that they pose a threat to public safety. The bill outlines a process for defendants to file for a resentencing hearing, mandates a hearing within ninety days, and establishes criteria for the court to consider when evaluating the defendant's threat level and determining the length of the sentence reduction.

Additionally, the bill introduces a comprehensive list of mitigating factors that the court must consider, such as the defendant's age at the time of the offense, their behavior while incarcerated, and their potential for rehabilitation. It also stipulates that the court must provide a written ruling within thirty days of the hearing, detailing the reasons for its decision. Furthermore, the bill allows for the possibility of educational programming during incarceration and emphasizes a presumption in favor of community supervision upon release, unless evidence suggests the individual remains a threat to public safety.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 13-722