Plain English Breakdown
The bill summary does not specify the exact conditions under which judges may deviate from consecutive sentencing beyond 'the best interest of justice'.
Victim Protection Act
This bill requires judges to impose consecutive sentences for individuals convicted of two or more offenses involving multiple minor victims unless certain conditions are met.
What This Bill Does
- Requires judges to order consecutive sentences when someone is found guilty of two or more offenses involving more than one minor victim, unless the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that consecutive sentencing would not be in the best interest of justice.
Who It Names or Affects
- People who are convicted of multiple offenses involving more than one minor victim will face stricter sentencing rules.
- Courts must follow these new rules when deciding sentences for crimes involving multiple minor victims.
Terms To Know
- consecutive sentences
- When a person has to serve one sentence after another, making their total time in jail longer.
- preponderance of the evidence
- A standard used by judges to decide if there is more proof for something than against it.
Limits and Unknowns
- The bill will increase state incarceration expenditures, but the precise timing and impact cannot be determined with reasonable certainty.