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SB1319 • 2026

sentence reductions; offenders under twenty-one

SB1319 - sentence reductions; offenders under twenty-one

Crime
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Analise Ortiz, Sally Ann Gonzales, Lauren Kuby
Last action
2026-01-27
Official status
Senate second read
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill does not explicitly state that judges cannot impose a natural life sentence when reducing sentences.

Sentence Reductions for Young Offenders

This bill allows courts to reduce sentences for people under twenty-one who have served at least fifteen years or half their original sentence if they are not a danger and show maturity and rehabilitation.

What This Bill Does

  • Creates a new law that lets judges lower the prison time of young offenders (under 21) who have been in jail for at least 15 years or half their original sentence.
  • Requires judges to consider factors like the offender's age, background, and family situation when deciding if they should get a shorter sentence.
  • Allows people convicted as adults but under twenty-one to ask the court for a reduced sentence by filing a motion with evidence supporting it.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who committed crimes when they were under twenty-one and have been in prison for at least fifteen years or half their original sentence.
  • Courts that will decide if these offenders should get a shorter sentence based on specific factors.

Terms To Know

Felony
A serious crime, like robbery or murder, that can lead to more than one year in prison.
Sentence Reduction
Shortening the time someone has to spend in jail after being found guilty of a crime.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify what happens if the court decides not to reduce the sentence.
  • It is unclear how many people will be eligible for and receive reduced sentences under this new law.

Bill History

  1. 2026-01-27 Senate

    Senate second read

  2. 2026-01-26 Senate

    Senate Rules: None

  3. 2026-01-26 Senate

    Senate Judiciary and Elections: None

  4. 2026-01-26 Senate

    Senate first read

Official Summary Text

SB1319 - sentence reductions; offenders under twenty-one

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
SB1319 - 572R - I Ver

REFERENCE TITLE:
sentence reductions; offenders under twenty-one

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-seventh Legislature

Second Regular Session

2026

SB 1319

Introduced by

Senators
Ortiz: Gonzales, Kuby

AN
ACT

Amending title 13, chapter 7, Arizona
Revised Statutes, by adding section 13-722; relating to sentencing.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Title 13, chapter 7, Arizona Revised
Statutes, is amended by adding section 13-722, to read:

START_STATUTE
13-722.

Sentence reduction for offenses committed by persons twenty-one
years of age and under

A. Notwithstanding any other law, the
court shall reduce a term of imprisonment imposed on a defendant who was
convicted of or adjudicated delinquent for a felony offense that was committed
on or before the defendant's twenty-first birthday and who has served at
least fifteen years or at least fifty percent of the sentence imposed if the
court finds, after considering the factors set forth in subsection B of this
section, both that:

1. the defendant is not a danger to
the safety of any person or the community.

2. The interests of justice warrant a
sentence reduction.

B. In determining whether to reduce a
term of imprisonment pursuant to subsection a of this section, the court shall
consider the following factors:

1. The defendant's age at the time of
the commission of the offense.

2. The history and characteristics of
the defendant.

3. The views of the victim.

4. Whether the defendant has
demonstrated maturity, rehabilitation and a fitness to reenter society
sufficient to justify a sentence reduction.

5. Any reports of physical, mental or
psychiatric examinations of the defendant that are conducted by licensed health
care professionals.

6. The defendant's family and
community circumstances at the time of the commission of the offense, including
any history of abuse, trauma or involvement in the child welfare system.

7. The extent of the defendant's role
in the offense and whether and to what extent another person was involved in
the offense.

8. The diminished culpability of
juveniles and persons who are twenty-one years of age and under as
compared to that of older adults, and the hallmark features of youth, including
immaturity, impetuosity and the failure to appreciate risks and consequences.

9. Any other information that the
court deems relevant.

C. A defendant who was convicted as
an adult pursuant to section 8-327 or 13-501, including a defendant
who is currently serving a term of imprisonment, may file a motion with the
sentencing court to request a sentence reduction under this section.� the
motion may include affidavits or other written material.� The sentencing court
shall hold a hearing on the motion at which the defendant and the defendant's
counsel shall be given an opportunity to speak on the defendant's
behalf. The court may allow the parties to introduce evidence and
may consider any records that are related to the underlying offense.� The court
shall state its reasons for granting or denying the application in
writing. If the court grants the application, the court shall resentence
the defendant to a reduced term of imprisonment.

D. When resentencing a defendant to a
reduced term of imprisonment PURSUANT to this SECTION, the court:

1. May impose a sentence that is less
than the minimum term otherwise prescribed by law.

2. May not impose a natural life
sentence.

E. The notice to the victim
prescribed in section 13-4409 and all other rights under the victims'
bill of rights, article II, section 2.1, Constitution of Arizona, apply to this
section.

END_STATUTE