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

Introduced By

Del. Bob Tata (R-Virginia Beach)

Progress

Introduced
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." Read the Bill »

Outcome

Bill Has Failed

History

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