The bill H.872 aims to enhance sentencing for repeat violent offenders by establishing minimum criminal penalties and prohibiting suspended sentences. It introduces a new section, 13 V.S.A. 11b, which defines a "felony crime of violence" and stipulates that individuals convicted of a third felony crime of violence, after having been previously convicted at least twice, will face a mandatory minimum imprisonment term of at least half the maximum sentence for that offense, potentially up to life. Importantly, this minimum term cannot be suspended, deferred, or served as a supervised sentence, and the offender will not be eligible for probation, parole, or early release until completing a three-year term of imprisonment.

Additionally, the bill amends 13 V.S.A. 7031 to include a prohibition on suspending any portion of a sentence for defendants convicted of a felony crime of violence, reinforcing the strict sentencing guidelines for such offenders. The act is set to take effect upon passage, reflecting a legislative intent to impose stricter penalties on violent criminals to enhance public safety.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 13-7031