Bill > SB1770

This bill, concerning juvenile offenders and parole eligibility in Arizona, establishes new provisions for individuals convicted of offenses committed before the age of eighteen. Specifically, it states that a person sentenced to twenty-five years or more for crimes committed as a minor, who has served at least fifteen years, is eligible for parole and has the right to a parole hearing. During these hearings, the Board of Executive Clemency must consider various mitigating factors, including the offender's age at the time of the offense, compliance with facility rules, participation in rehabilitation programs, demonstrated maturity, and the impact of abuse, trauma, or neglect. If parole is denied, the board must provide written reasons, ensure the individual remains eligible for future hearings annually, and cannot use the denial as an adverse factor in subsequent proceedings. Crucially, individuals eligible for parole under this bill are presumed to be in favor of release, unless proven to still pose a threat to public safety. Furthermore, when sentencing a juvenile as an adult, courts are permitted to impose sentences less than the minimum required and are prohibited from imposing death, natural life, de facto life (defined as sentences totaling twenty-five years or more), or life without parole.

Justice

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/85452