Bill > LB159

This bill amends the Nebraska state law regarding sentencing considerations by adding two new factors that courts may consider when deciding whether to impose imprisonment for a misdemeanor or felony where mandatory imprisonment is not specifically required. Specifically, the bill allows judges to consider (l) if the offender has been physically, sexually, or psychologically abused by a family or household member, sexual partner, or someone who exploited them for financial gain, and (m) if the offender is a trafficking victim as defined in section 28-830. These new provisions would be added to the existing list of mitigating factors that courts can weigh when determining whether to withhold a sentence of imprisonment, such as the nature of the crime, the offender's character, and the potential impact of imprisonment on the offender's dependents. The bill aims to provide additional context and flexibility in sentencing by recognizing that an offender's history of abuse or trafficking may be relevant to understanding their criminal actions and determining an appropriate sentence. The amendment would update section 29-2260 of the Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska and ultimately replace the original section with this expanded version.

Justice

https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58837