Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires a juvenile court to impose blended sentencing on certain adjudicated minors.

Highlights:

• Classifies a child as a serious youthful offender if the juvenile is an adjudicated juvenile delinquent for an offense listed in previous statutes or is confined to a youth development center approved, certified, and licensed by the department of children’s services and is charged with escape (Sec. 2). 

• Specifies that this classification applies to children who are charged with the following crimes (Sec. 2). 

• First degree murder;

• Second degree murder; 

• Rape; 

• Aggravated rape; 

• Rape of a child; 

• Robbery; 

• Aggravated robbery;

• Especially aggravated Robbery; 

• Kidnapping;

• Aggravated Kidnapping; 

• Commision of an act of terrorism 

• Carjacking; 

• Aggravated child abuse or neglect or endangerment; 

• Criminal attempt at the above offenses; or

• Any attempt at doing the above with a deadly weapon 

• Specifies that the court may impose any of the dispositions set forth in this section upon a juvenile and additional disposition to be served after the youthful offender turns nineteen years of age (Sec. 2). 

• Specifies that this additional disposition will occur if the individual has done the following (Sec. 2). 

• Committed another delinquent act;

• Engaged in other conduct that creates a substantial safety risk;

• Failed to meet the conditions of supervision during the deposition prior to the hearing in question; 

• Failed to attend a specified school regularly with passing grades for graduating from highschool; or

• Failed to obtain any regular employment; 

• Specifies that if a court revokes a stay of the court for a particular offense then the court may order the offender to serve the originally ordered disposition (Sec. 2). 

• Specifies that if a child is alleged to have committed an offense or engaged in conduct that is designated a crime or public offense under the law of the state then the court shall conduct a hearing to determine whether the child should be transferred to criminal court to be tried as an adult by the court (Sec. 6). 

• Specifies that the court shall provide written notice to parents and guardians as applicable (Sec. 6). 

• Specifies that the court shall provide a written report of facs and conclusions regarding the decision and judgment of whether they are to be tried in adult criminal court (Sec. 6).

Full Bill Text