Juveniles; certain persons imprisoned for life eligible for parole. (HB436)

Introduced By

Del. Bob Tata (R-Virginia Beach)

Progress

√
 Introduced
X
 Passed Committee
☐
 Passed House
☐
 Passed Senate
☐
 Signed by Governor
☐
 Became Law

Description

Certain juveniles imprisoned for life eligible for parole.  Provides that any person sentenced to a term of life imprisonment upon conviction of a felony offense other than an offense set forth in Article 1 ( 18.2-30 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2 (homicide offenses) who was a juvenile at the time of the commission of the offense is eligible for parole. This bill is in response to the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Graham v. Florida, 560 U.S. ___, 130 S. Ct. 2011, 2034 (2010), in which the Court held that, pursuant to the 8th Amendment prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment, "[t]he Constitution prohibits the imposition of a life without parole sentence on a juvenile offender who did not commit homicide." Amends § 53.1-165.1, of the Code of Virginia. View Full Text »

Outcome

Bill Has Failed

History

  • 01/10/2012 Committee
  • 01/10/2012 Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/11/12 12100033D
  • 01/10/2012 Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
  • 01/13/2012 Assigned Courts sub: Criminal
  • 01/18/2012 Subcommittee recommends laying on the table
  • 02/14/2012 Left in Courts of Justice
  • 03/13/2012 Impact statement from VCSC (HB436S3)

Comments

Rickey Moore writes:

I think this bill makes plain sense. How can a juvenile offender be held accoutable for a decision when society holds that they cannot, due to their immaturity and lack of experience? Sure, they need treatment and possibly removal from society while they are acting out, but unless they are held to actually be pathologically insane, then a life sentence should be prohibited.

Thank you Del. Tata, for a plain common sense bill.

Posted 16 months ago.