Criminal Justice (Sentencing)

in committee · Michigan · House Aug 13, 2025

HB 4761: Criminal procedure: sentencing; guidelines for sentencing individuals aged 18 to 21 to life without parole; provide for. Amends 1927 PA 175 (MCL 760.1 - 777.69) by adding sec. 25b to ch. IX.

HB 4761 would create new sentencing rules for individuals aged 18-20 convicted of specific violent offenses, including murder, certain drug crimes, and other offenses involving death. Prosecutors must file a motion requesting life without parole within 42 days of conviction (or 360 days after the bill's effective date for existing cases), or the court must impose a minimum 25-year sentence. The bill requires courts to consider factors from the *Miller v. Alabama* Supreme Court ruling during sentencing hearings, including the defendant's age and background. If life without parole isn't granted, defendants must serve at least 25 years (with a maximum of 60 years) and consecutive sentences for multiple related offenses. This bill directly affects young adult defendants, prosecutors, and courts handling these cases under Michigan's criminal procedure code.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill prevents mandatory life without parole for 18-20yr-olds by requiring prosecutorial motion and considering *Miller* factors, aligning with juvenile justice reform principles.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Feb 19, 2025

SB 89: Criminal procedure: sentencing; parole eligibility for certain individuals sentenced without the possibility of parole; provide for. Amends sec. 316 of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.316). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0090'25

SB 89 creates parole eligibility for individuals convicted of first-degree murder under a felony-murder theory before November 4, 1980, who are currently serving life sentences without parole. The bill amends Michigan’s penal code to allow these specific individuals - historically convicted under a legal standard that barred parole - to be considered for parole under the state’s corrections code. This change directly affects people already incarcerated under such pre-1980 convictions, altering their sentencing status without altering their original conviction. The provision applies only to those serving life sentences on the bill’s effective date, not to new cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows parole eligibility for pre-1980 first-degree murder convicts, enabling review under corrections code - reform reducing life without parole sentences.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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failed · Michigan · House Jul 24, 2025

HB 4506: Criminal procedure: sentencing; guidelines for sentencing individuals aged 18 to 21 to life without parole; provide for. Amends 1927 PA 175 (MCL 760.1 - 777.69) by adding sec. 25b to ch. IX.

HB 4506 would have established new sentencing guidelines to prevent life without parole sentences for individuals aged 18 to 21. The bill amended Michigan’s sentencing law (MCL 760.1-777.69) by adding a specific provision for this age group, requiring judges to consider mitigating factors like youth and development. It directly affected young adults in the criminal justice system facing potential life sentences without parole. The bill was defeated in the legislature on July 24, 2025, with 55 votes in favor and 43 against.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents life without parole for 18-21yo by requiring youth considerations, aligning with reform to reduce harsh sentencing and promote rehabilitation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Jun 10, 2025

SB 389: Criminal procedure: sentencing guidelines; sentencing guidelines for driver causing death of blind person or dog guide in crosswalk; enact. Amends sec. 17b, ch. XVII of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 777.17b). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0388'25

SB 389 amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines to increase penalties for drivers who cause the death of a blind person or a guide dog while they are crossing a street in a crosswalk. The bill directly affects drivers involved in such fatal accidents by adding these specific scenarios to the state's sentencing considerations under MCL 777.17b. Key provisions require judges to impose harsher sentences for these offenses, acknowledging the vulnerability of blind individuals and service animals. The law aims to strengthen legal consequences for negligence in crosswalks where blind people or guide dogs are present. This is a substantive policy change focused on enhancing penalties for specific traffic-related fatalities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill increases sentencing for drivers harming blind persons/guide dogs, protecting vulnerable groups under criminal justice reform.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · Michigan · Senate May 29, 2025

SB 338: Criminal procedure: sentencing guidelines; sentencing guidelines for certain tampering with evidence offenses by law enforcement officers; provide for. Amends sec. 16x, ch. XVII of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 777.16x). TIE BAR WITH: SB 337'25

SB 338 amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines (MCL 777.16x) to specifically address law enforcement officers who tamper with evidence. It establishes separate sentencing parameters for officers convicted of altering, destroying, or fabricating evidence during investigations. This bill directly affects law enforcement officers in cases involving evidence tampering, ensuring their sentences are evaluated under these updated guidelines rather than general provisions. The change aims to clarify sentencing outcomes for this specific offense within the criminal justice system.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes specific sentencing for officer evidence tampering, enhancing police accountability per bill's intent to clarify penalties for misconduct.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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passed both · Michigan · House Sep 18, 2025

HB 4714: Criminal procedure: sentencing guidelines; sentencing guidelines for fraudulent insurance acts; provide for. Amends sec. 15a, ch. XVII of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 777.15a). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4716'25

HB 4714 updates Michigan's sentencing guidelines specifically for fraudulent insurance acts by amending Section 15a of the Code of Criminal Procedure (MCL 777.15a). The bill directly affects individuals convicted of insurance fraud by establishing clearer sentencing standards for these offenses. It modifies existing sentencing structures to provide more defined parameters for judges when determining penalties in fraud cases involving insurance. The changes aim to standardize penalties for this specific crime category within Michigan's criminal justice system. The bill passed the Michigan House on September 16, 2025, with strong support.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAmends sentencing guidelines for insurance fraud to standardize penalties, reducing sentencing disparities and aligning with criminal justice reform principles.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · Michigan · House Sep 24, 2025

HB 5028: Crimes: prostitution; penalties for and references to prostitute and prostitution crimes in sentencing guidelines; amend. Amends sec. 16w, ch. XVII of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 777.16w). TIE BAR WITH: HB 5016'25

HB 5028 amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines to update legal references related to prostitution offenses. It replaces terms like "prostitute" with more neutral language in sentencing calculations under MCL 777.16w. This change affects judges and courts when determining penalties for individuals convicted of prostitution-related crimes. The bill modifies how these offenses are described in legal guidelines but does not alter the actual penalties for the crimes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeUpdates sentencing guidelines to remove stigmatizing terms, promoting neutral language. Aligns with civil rights protection in criminal justice reform without altering penalties.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Sentencing

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passed · Michigan · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 592: Corrections: other; reentry services and support for certain individuals after resentencing; require. Amends sec. 83 of 1953 PA 232 (MCL 791.283).

SB 592 requires Michigan's corrections department to provide reentry services (excluding housing), temporary housing, and vital documents (like birth certificates) to prisoners whose convictions were overturned due to specific Supreme Court rulings (e.g., *Miller v. Alabama* or *People v. Parks*). These services must be offered for up to 2 years after release for reentry services and 1 year for housing. The bill mandates timely assignment of staff to ensure these supports are delivered, with repayment required if a prisoner's conviction is later reinstated. It directly affects individuals released after resentencing in cases involving juvenile sentencing laws.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates reentry services (documents, housing) for prisoners with overturned convictions per reform-focused Supreme Court cases, reducing recidivism barriers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole Sentencing

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passed · Michigan · Senate Jan 29, 2026

SB 521: Criminal procedure: sentencing guidelines; sentencing guidelines for individual 16 years of age or less in house of prostitution; modify. Amends sec. 16w, ch. XVII of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 777.16w). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0520'25, SB 0705'25

This bill amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines (MCL 777.16w) to address cases involving minors exploited in prostitution. It specifically modifies how individuals aged 16 or younger are treated when found in a house of prostitution, shifting the focus from criminalization to victim support. The key change directs courts to prioritize rehabilitation and services for these minors rather than imposing standard criminal penalties. This policy change directly affects minors under 16 who are victims of exploitation, ensuring their cases are handled through a victim-centered approach.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAmends sentencing guidelines to prioritize rehabilitation over criminal penalties for minors in prostitution, directly advancing criminal justice reform by treating victims as such rather than offenders.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Sentencing

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Sep 9, 2025

SB 524: Crimes: prostitution; penalties for leasing houses for purposes of prostitution; modify. Amends secs. 448, 449, 450, 451, 454 & 462 of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.448 et seq.).

SB 524 amends Michigan's prostitution-related laws to increase penalties for repeat offenses and create a new diversion program for first-time offenders. It adds a mandatory human trafficking awareness program for first-time offenders instead of immediate conviction, and establishes a legal presumption that minors under 18 involved in prostitution were coerced by traffickers. The bill directly affects individuals accused of solicitation, operating brothels, or aiding prostitution, with enhanced penalties for those with prior convictions. Key provisions include stricter sentencing tiers based on prior offenses and mandatory reporting of minors to human services for trafficking investigations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIntroduces diversion program for first-time offenders, mandates trafficking awareness, and presumes minors coerced - aligns with reform goals to reduce recidivism and protect victims.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Sentencing

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