Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that adds life imprisonment without the possibility of parole to the list of possible sentences for defendants convicted of murder, and allows judges to impose a death sentence if at least 10 out of 12 jurors vote in favor of it, as opposed to a mandatory unanimous vote.

Highlights:

- Specifies that in cases where aggravating factors are not found or a recommendation of death is not made, the jury will decide whether to recommend a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole or life imprisonment with the possibility of parole [sec. 5 (a)]. - Specifies that any defendant convicted of a violent felony and sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole will not, under any circumstance, be eligible for any form of parole or early release, work release, leave, or other sentence-reducing measures [sec. 3 (c) (4)]. - Establishes the effective date of this act as July 1, 2008, and will apply to all crimes committed on or after such date, unless a defendant whose offense was committed prior to July 1, 2008 elects to be sentenced under the guidelines established by this Act (Sec. 8 & 11). - This is a substitute bill sponsored by the House Judiciary Committee (Non-Civil).

Full Bill Text