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Bill > HB5155
MI HB5155
MI HB5155Criminal procedure: defenses; duress as a defense to murder of the second degree; prohibit. Amends sec. 317 of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.317).
summary
Introduced
10/29/2025
10/29/2025
In Committee
10/29/2025
10/29/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
103rd Legislature
Bill Summary
A bill to amend 1931 PA 328, entitled"The Michigan penal code,"by amending section 317 (MCL 750.317).
AI Summary
This bill amends Michigan's criminal code to explicitly state that duress cannot be used as a legal defense in second-degree murder cases. Currently, the law defines second-degree murder as all murder types not classified as first-degree murder, punishable by life imprisonment or a term of years at the court's discretion. The proposed change adds a new subsection that clearly prohibits defendants from claiming they were forced to commit murder under threat or coercion as a legal defense strategy. This means that even if a person argues they were compelled to kill someone due to threats or extreme pressure, they would still be fully legally responsible for the murder. The bill would go into effect 90 days after being signed into law, giving legal professionals and the court system time to prepare for the change in how murder defenses can be constructed.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Bill Electronically Reproduced 10/29/2025 (on 10/30/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2025-HB-5155 |
| BillText | https://legislature.mi.gov/documents/2025-2026/billintroduced/House/htm/2025-HIB-5155.htm |
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