Bill > S766

This bill proposes to amend Section 133A of Chapter 127, a law concerning prisoners, by adding a new provision that grants individuals serving a life sentence for first-degree murder, committed before they turned eighteen, the right to have a lawyer appointed for them at their parole hearing if they cannot afford one. This right to appointed counsel is contingent on the prisoner being deemed indigent, meaning they lack the financial means to hire their own legal representation. Additionally, the bill ensures these young individuals will have access to funds for expert witnesses, with the standards for these funds determined by Chapter 211D, which likely outlines guidelines for public defense services and related expenses. This measure aims to provide legal support to juveniles facing parole hearings for serious offenses, recognizing their unique circumstances and the complexities of the legal process.