SB 205
Increasing penalties and parole eligibility requirements for homicide
Take action
Record your position on this measure.
Sign in to record your position, submit testimony, or contact your legislator.
Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House of Delegates
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill increases the penalties and parole eligibility requirements for homicide offenses in West Virginia. Specifically, it raises the minimum and maximum prison sentences for second-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter, and increases the minimum time an inmate must serve before becoming eligible for parole in those cases. The bill also tightens parole eligibility for individuals convicted of firearm-related offenses and those previously convicted of two felonies, requiring them to serve longer sentences before parole is considered.
Key provisions
- Increases the minimum and maximum prison sentences for second-degree murder to 15-40 years.
- Increases the minimum prison time before parole eligibility for second-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter to 15 years.
- Increases the minimum prison time before parole eligibility for individuals sentenced to life imprisonment to 20 years.
- Raises the minimum sentence for parole eligibility for individuals convicted of firearm-related offenses to three years.
- Requires inmates previously convicted of two felonies to serve a longer period before parole eligibility.
- Establishes stricter criteria for parole eligibility, including completion of rehabilitation programs and a successful risk assessment.
- Mandates a review of inmate records and reports before parole decisions are made.
- Requires parolees to participate in litter control programs.
Who is affected
- Defendants convicted of homicide offenses
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
No arguments in favor have been submitted.
Submit yoursArguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
No arguments opposed have been submitted.
Submit yours