This bill allows a court to impose a sentence that includes commitment beyond 21 years of age for a juvenile adjudicated of murder or a Class A crime. The bill requires the court to weigh a number of factors in determining whether to sentence a juvenile beyond the juvenile's 21st birthday, including the severity and the circumstances of the offense, the age and maturity of the juvenile, the rehabilitation potential of the juvenile, prior criminal history, the impact on the victim and the victim's community and findings from psychological assessments. The bill requires that a juvenile be represented by counsel at periodic reviews regardless of age. The bill also directs the Commissioner of Corrections to transfer the juvenile to an adult correctional facility at 21 years of age.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text LD 535, HP 354: 15.3315, 15.3317, 15.3319