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Juvenile Parole Bill Aims To Bring Colorado In Line With SCOTUS Ruling

Colorado General Assembly

A bill is making its way through the statehouse that would allow judges to re-examine the cases of juveniles sentenced to life without parole. A 2012 U.S. Supreme Court ruling made it unconstitutional for minors to have no possibility of parole -- except in the most extraordinary circumstances.

The court said it was cruel and unusual punishment. Currently 48 youth in Colorado were given mandatory life sentences prior to that ruling, many for heinous crimes.

"Murder is never OK, taking someone's life is never OK, but should we ever allow a second chance, a second look?" asked Senator Cheri Jahn (D-Wheat Ridge), one of the main sponsors of a bipartisan bill that cleared the Senate 32-3.

Under Senate Bill 16-181 [.pdf], juveniles must serve must serve at least 30 years before they could be considered for parole. To be clear, not all of the inmates would get the chance either. For instance, violent sex offenders are excluded. If it becomes law, a judge could consider the prisoner's age at the time of the offense, their ability to understand the consequences of their actions, attempts at rehabilitation as well as the impact to victims.

The idea is to put Colorado in line with the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling.

"They want to be able to petition the court for a re-sentencing hearing," Jahn said. "I didn't say 'get out,' I said 'should they have a look?' There are some who would stay in for the rest of their lives."

The measure has met strong opposition from district attorneys around Colorado who say it will return dangerous felons to the streets. Republican state senator Ellen Roberts of Durango, who voted against the bill along with two other Republicans, said it overlooks the voices of victims.

"There are many victim families who are now living in terror for what this bill could do," Roberts said. "They are re-victimized each time as they come forward to tell their story, [it] brings back all of these terrible memories. Many of them said those memories actually are with them every day."

Almost every other senator strongly backs the measure. Republican Senator Laura Woods of Arvada is another sponsor, she said not all of the juveniles committed the most heinous crimes.

"I'll tell you, there are a dozen or more that went to prison for being in the wrong place at the wrong time," she said.

Debate has been fierce over Austin Sigg. He was 17 years-old when he admitted to the brutal slaying of 10-year-old Jessica Ridgeway in Arvada. Woods said under the bill, he would not be eligible for early release as some opponents worry because of the nature of his crime. Also, Sigg was sentenced after the U.S Supreme Court decision in 2012, so his life sentence is legal.

Copyright 2016 KUNC

Bente Birkeland
Bente Birkeland has been reporting on state legislative issues for KUNC and Rocky Mountain Community Radio since 2006. Originally, from Minnesota, Bente likes to hike and ski in her spare time. She keeps track of state politics throughout the year but is especially busy during the annual legislative session from January through early May.
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