Oklahoma 2024 2024 Regular Session

Oklahoma House Bill HB3640 Introduced / Bill

Filed 01/18/2024

                     
 
 
Req. No. 8662 	Page 1  1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
   1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
  
STATE OF OKLAHOMA 
 
2nd Session of the 59th Legislature (2024) 
 
HOUSE BILL 3640 	By: Hasenbeck 
 
 
 
 
 
AS INTRODUCED 
 
An Act relating to sentencing; creating the Oklahoma 
Domestic Abuse Survivorship Act; defining terms; 
directing courts to consider certain mitigating 
factors during sentencing and pleas; requiring 
defendants to provide documentary evidence; providing 
the court the discretion to depart from applica ble 
sentences; allowing certain persons to make 
application for sentencing relief; authorizi ng the 
Court of Criminal Appeals to develop and disseminate 
standard application form; stating absence of a 
limitation period when applying for relief; providi ng 
guidelines for when persons may apply for relief; 
providing procedures for filing applications ; stating 
types of documentary evidence necessary for 
consideration; providing for the filing of 
applications without costs under certain 
circumstances; allowi ng the state to obje ct upon 
showing of certain evidence; prov iding for the 
dismissal of applicati ons; authorizing courts to 
grant leave to file amendment applications; 
authorizing courts to grant certain motion; providing 
for sentencing review hearings; st ating procedures 
for hearings; providing sentencing ranges up on 
finding by the court; providing p rocedures for 
amending judgment and sentences; establishing 
restrictions on subsequent applications; allowing 
amended judgment and sentences to be appealed; 
stating requirement fo r appeals; requiring certain 
attorneys to complete annual education and train ing; 
amending 22 O.S. 2021, Section 982, which r elates to 
presentence investigations; expanding scope of 
circumstances; providing for codification; and 
providing an effective date. 
 
   
 
 
Req. No. 8662 	Page 2  1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
   1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
  
 
 
 
 
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPL E OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA: 
SECTION 1.     NEW LAW     A new section of law to be codified 
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1090 of Title 22, unless there 
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: 
Sections 1 through 4 of this act shall be known and may be cited 
as the "Oklahoma Domestic Abuse Survivorship Ac t". 
SECTION 2.     NEW LAW     A new section of law to be codified 
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1090.1 of Title 22, unless there 
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follo ws: 
As used in this act: 
1.  "Conditional release" means a type of release from custody 
that is not parole but which must comply with conditions such as 
electronic monitoring; 
2.  "Deferred sentence" means a type of sentence as provided in 
Section 991c of Title 22 of the Oklahoma Statu tes; 
3.  "Domestic abuse" means any act of physical harm or the 
threat of imminent physical harm which is committed by an adult, 
emancipated minor, or minor child thirteen (13) years of age or 
older against another adult, emancipated minor or minor child who is 
currently or was previously an intimate pa rtner or family or 
household member;   
 
 
Req. No. 8662 	Page 3  1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
   1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
  
4.  "Economic-financial control" means any behavior that has a 
substantial and adverse effect on the abil ity of an individual to: 
a. acquire, use, or maintain money or other pro perty, 
b. obtain goods including, but not limited to, food and 
clothing, or 
c. obtain services including, but not limited to, 
utilities. 
Economic-financial control also includes fraudu lently opening 
financial accounts an d borrowing money from his or her intimate 
partner or family or household member; 
5.  "Physical abuse" means any real or threatened physical 
injury or damage to the body that is not accidental; 
6. "Posttraumatic stress disorder" means the same as such term 
is defined in the Diagnostic and Statistica l Manual of Mental 
Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5, 2013), and occurred as a result of 
the victimization of a survivor of domestic abuse; 
7. "Psychological abuse" means a pattern of real or threatened 
mental intimidation, threats, coercive control, economic-financial 
control, and humiliation that is intended to provoke fear of harm ; 
and 
8.  "Sentencing hearing" means a type of postconviction hearing 
in which the defendant is brought before the court for imposition of 
the sentence.   
 
 
Req. No. 8662 	Page 4  1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
   1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
  
SECTION 3.     NEW LAW     A new section of law to be codified 
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1090.2 of Title 22, unless there 
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as foll ows: 
A. During a hearing to: 
1.  Sentence a person; or 
2.  Accept a plea of guilty, 
for a person who is a survivor of domestic abuse, and has been 
charged with the crime against his or her intimate partner where 
self-defense could have been raised as an a ffirmative defense, the 
court shall consider as a mitigati ng factor that the person has been 
abused physically, sexually, or psychologically by the person the 
defendant defended himself or herself against, along with any other 
mitigating or aggravating factors. 
B. The defendant shall provid e to the court evidence including, 
but not limited to: 
1. Documentary evidence, corroborating that the defendant was, 
at the time of the offense or within one (1) year prior to the 
commission of the offense, a victim of domestic abuse, as such term 
is defined in Section 2 of this act, perpetrated by the person the 
defendant defended himself or herself against; and 
2.  At least one piece of documentary evidence shall be a court 
record, presentence report, social services record, hospital record, 
sworn statement from a witness to the domestic violence who is not   
 
 
Req. No. 8662 	Page 5  1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
   1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
  
the defendant, law enforcement record, domestic incident report, or 
order of protection. 
Other evidence may include, but sha ll not be limited to, local 
jail records or records of the Department of Corrections, 
documentation prepared at or near the time of the commission of the 
offense or the prosecution thereof tending to support the claims of 
the defendant, or verification of consultation with a licensed 
medical care provider or mental health care pro vider, employee of a 
court acting within the scope of his or her employment, member of 
the clergy, attorney, social worker, or rape crisis counse lor, or 
other advocate acting on be half of an agency that assists victims of 
domestic abuse. Expert testimony from a psychiatrist, psycholog ist, 
or mental health professional showing that the defendant has been 
diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder as a result of domestic 
violence may also be submitted to the court as evidence. 
C. If the court finds by a preponderance of the e vidence that 
the defendant is a survivor of domestic abuse within one (1) year 
prior to or on the date of the offense by the person the defendant 
defended himself or herself against, then the court shall have the 
discretion to depart f rom the applicable sentence.  Such findings of 
fact shall be on the record after giving due regard to the evidence 
submitted to the court by the defendant .   
 
 
Req. No. 8662 	Page 6  1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
   1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
  
SECTION 4.     NEW LAW     A ne w section of law to be codified 
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1090.3 of Title 22, unless there 
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as fo llows: 
A.  Any person who has been convicted or received a sentence for 
a crime against his or her intimate partner where self-defense could 
have been raised as an affirmative defense and the abuse was 
perpetrated by the person the defendant was defending hi mself or 
herself against and who claims: 
1.  That he or she was a victim of domestic abuse, as defined in 
Section 2 of this act, at the time of the criminal offense or within 
one (1) year leading up to the criminal offense perpetrated by the 
person the defendant defend ed himself or herself against; 
2. That the aforementioned domestic abuse was substantially 
related to the commission of th e offense; or 
3.  That the sentence previously imposed does not serve the 
means of justice when considering the mitigating evidence of 
physical, sexual, or psychological abuse, 
may make an application to the court in which the judgment and 
sentence of the person was imposed.  Upon receiving the application, 
the court shall institute a proceeding to secure the appropriate 
sentencing relief. The Court of Criminal Appeals shall be 
authorized to develop and disseminate a standard form for an 
application in conformity with the provisions of this section.   
 
 
Req. No. 8662 	Page 7  1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
   1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
  
SECTION 5.     NEW LAW     A new section of law to be codified 
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1090.4 of Title 22, unless there 
is created a duplication in numbering, reads a s follows: 
A.  No period of limitation shall apply to the filing of any 
application seeking sentencing relief, whether an original 
application or a subsequent application. 
B.  For those seeking to submit an application after revocation 
of a suspended sente nce, acceleration of a deferred sentence, or 
revocation of probation, the person may submit the application once 
the person has been processed into the custody of the Department of 
Corrections only if the person did not invoke the mitigati on 
procedures outlined in Section 3 of this act during or after the 
revocation hearing. 
C.  For those seeking to submit an application after revocation 
of parole or conditional release, the person may submit the 
application once the person has been processed into the Department 
of Corrections only if the person did not invoke the mitigation 
procedures outlined in Section 3 of this act during or after the 
revocation hearing. 
D.  The provisions of this section s hall apply to any 
application filed on or after the effective dat e of this act. 
SECTION 6.     NEW LAW     A new section of law to be codified 
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1090.5 of Title 22, unless there 
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:   
 
 
Req. No. 8662 	Page 8  1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
   1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
  
A.  A proceeding is commenced by filing a n application for 
sentencing review with the clerk of the court imposing judgment if 
an appeal is not pending.  When such a proceeding arises from the 
revocation of parole or conditional release, t he proceeding shall be 
commenced by filing a n application with the clerk of the court in 
the county in which the parole or conditional release was revoked. 
Facts within the personal knowledge of the applicant and the 
authenticity of all documents and exhi bits included in or attached 
to the application shall be sworn to be true and correct. The clerk 
of the court shall docket the application upon its receipt, promptly 
notify the court, and deliver a copy to the district attorne y. 
B.  A valid application fo r consideration will show by a 
preponderance of the evidence, includin g but not limited to 
documentary evidence, corroborating that the applicant: 
1.  Was, at the time of the offense, or within one (1) year 
leading up to the commission of the offense, a victim of domestic 
abuse, as such term is defined in Section 2 of this act, perpetrated 
by the person the defendant defended himself or herself against; and 
2.  At least one piece of documentary evidence shall be a court 
record, presentence report, social services record, ho spital record, 
sworn statement from a witness to the domestic violence who is not 
the defendant, law enforcement record, domestic incident report, or 
order of protection.  Other evidence may include, but shall not be 
limited to, local jail records or recor ds of the Department of   
 
 
Req. No. 8662 	Page 9  1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
   1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
  
Corrections, documentation pr epared at or near the time of the 
commission of the offense or the prosecution thereof tending to 
support the claims of the person, or verification of consultation 
with a licensed medical care provider o r mental health care 
provider, employee of a court ac ting within the scope of his or her 
employment, member of the clergy, attorney, social worker, or rape 
crisis counselor, or other advocate acting on behalf of an agency 
that assists victims of domestic a buse.  Expert testimony from a 
psychiatrist, psycholo gist, or mental health professio nal showing 
that the defendant has been diagnosed with posttraumatic stress 
disorder may also be submitted to the court as evidence. 
SECTION 7.     NEW LAW     A new secti on of law to be codified 
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1090.6 of Title 22, unless there 
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: 
If the applicant is unable to pay co urt costs and expenses of 
representation, the applicant shall include an affidavit to that 
effect with the application, wh ich shall then be filed without 
costs. Counsel necessary in representation shall be made available 
to the applicant upon filing the ap plication and a finding by the 
court that such assistance is necessa ry to provide a fair 
determination of sentencing reli ef.  If an attorney is appointed to 
represent such an applicant then the fees and expenses of such 
attorney shall be paid from the court fund.  The attorney, if   
 
 
Req. No. 8662 	Page 10  1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
   1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
  
appointed, shall be employed by the respec tive county's indigent 
defense agency. 
SECTION 8.     NEW LAW     A new section of law to be codified 
in the Oklahoma Stat utes as Section 1090.7 of Title 22, unless there 
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: 
A. Within thirty (30) days after the docketing of the 
application, the state may file an objection if the state has 
evidence that directly controvert s the evidence of abuse submitted 
by the applicant or evidence that provides additi onal context to the 
battering relationship . In considering the application, the court 
shall take account of the substance of the application, regardless 
of any defects of form.  The court may also allow affidavits for 
good cause shown.  Depositions may be employed only when there is no 
other means of obtaining testimony. 
B.  When a court is satisfied, on the basis of the application, 
the answer or motion of respondent, and t he record, that the 
applicant is not entitled to sentencing review and no purpose would 
be served by any fur ther proceedings, the court shall order the 
application dismissed or grant lea ve to file an amended application.  
Where such evidence exis ts in the record, an evidentiary hearing 
shall be ordered.  The judge assigned to the case sho uld not dispose 
of it on the basis of information within his or her personal 
knowledge not made a part of the record.   
 
 
Req. No. 8662 	Page 11  1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
   1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
  
C.  The court may grant a motion by the state for summary 
disposition of the application when it appears from the response and 
pleadings that there is no genuine basis for seeking a senten cing 
review.  An order disposing of an applicatio n without a hearing 
shall state the findings and conclusions of the court regarding the 
issues presented. 
SECTION 9.     NEW LAW     A new section of law to be codified 
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1090.8 of Title 22, unless there 
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: 
A.  If the applicant meets the evidentiary burden in the 
pleadings, the court shall conduct a sentencing review h earing at 
which time a record shall be made and preserv ed. The court may 
receive proof by affidavits, depositions, oral testimony, or other 
evidence and may order the applicant to be brought before the court 
for the hearing.  Any live testimony shall be subject to direct and 
cross examination.  The state may present evidence only if it 
directly controverts the evidence of abuse offered by the applicant, 
or evidence that provides additional context to the battering 
relationship. A judge should not preside at such a hearing if his 
or her testimony is material.  The court shall make speci fic 
findings of fact regarding whether or not the applicant was a 
survivor of domestic abuse at the time of the criminal offense or 
within one (1) year prior to the offense and that the abuse was 
perpetrated by the person the def endant defended himself or herself   
 
 
Req. No. 8662 	Page 12  1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
   1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
  
against. If the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that 
the applicant is a survivor of domestic abuse, then the new 
sentencing range for the defendant shall be: 
1.  If the offense carries up to five (5) years, not more than 
three (3) years; 
2.  If the offense carries up to ten (10) years, not more than 
five (5) years; or 
3.  If the offense carries up to twenty (20) years, not more 
than seven (7) years. 
No matter the range for the offense , an applicant that meets the 
evidentiary burden by a preponderance of the evidence under this 
section shall not receive a sentence longer than ten (10) years. 
B.  The court shall amend the judgment and sentence of the 
applicant to the new sentence. The order issued by the court shall 
be a final judgment. 
SECTION 10.     NEW LAW    A new section of law to be codified 
in the Oklahoma Statutes as S ection 1090.9 of Title 22, unless there 
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as fo llows: 
If the court finds in the affirmative tha t the applicant was a 
survivor of domestic abuse at the time of the criminal offense or 
within one (1) year prior to the offense and that the abuse was 
perpetrated by the person the defendant defended hi mself or herself 
against, the court shall amend the judgment and sentence to reflect 
a new sentence consistent with that provided in Section 9 of this   
 
 
Req. No. 8662 	Page 13  1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
   1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
  
act.  If the amended sentence reflects less time than the applicant 
has already served in the custody of the Department of Corrections, 
then the court shall als o issue an order of discharge for the 
applicant. The court shall enter any supplementary orders as to 
time served, custody, bail, discharge, or other matters that may b e 
necessary and proper. 
SECTION 11.     NEW LAW     A new section of law to be codified 
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1090.10 of Title 22, unless 
there is created a duplication in numbering, read s as follows: 
All grounds for sentencing relief available to an applicant 
under the provisions of this act , shall be raised in his or her 
original or amended application.  Any ground previously adjudicated 
or not raised or knowingly, voluntarily and intelligently waived in 
the proceeding that resulted in the conviction or sentence , or in 
any other proceeding the applicant has taken to secure relief, may 
not be the basis for a subsequent application. 
SECTION 12.     NEW LAW   A new section of law to be codified 
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1090.11 of Title 22, unless 
there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: 
A.  A denied application or an amended judgment and sentence 
entered under the provisions of this act may be appealed to the 
Court of Criminal Appeals by the applicant or the state within 
thirty (30) days from the entry of the amended judgment and 
sentence.   
 
 
Req. No. 8662 	Page 14  1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
   1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
  
B.  Upon motion of either party on filing a notice of intent to 
appeal, within ten (10) days of entering the amended judgme nt and 
sentence, the district cou rt may stay the execution of the amended 
judgment and sentence pending disposition on appeal; provided, 
however, the Court of Criminal Appeals may direct the vacation of 
the order staying the execution prior to final dispos ition of the 
appeal. 
SECTION 13.     NEW LAW    A new section of law to be codified 
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1090.12 of Title 22, unless 
there is created a duplication in numb ering, reads as follows: 
A. Any district attorney, assistant district attorney, public 
defender, assistant public defender, attorney employ ed by or under 
contract with the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System, court -appointed 
attorney, private defense attorneys, or attorney employed by or 
under contract with a district court whose duties include domestic 
violence responsibility shall complete at least three (3) hours of 
education and training annually in courses relating to the topics 
described in paragraph 1 of subsection A of this s ection.  The 
education and training requirements may be accomplished through a 
collaborative effort between the judiciary and others with dome stic 
violence responsibilities. 
B. Each judicial district shall be responsible for developing 
and administering procedures and rules for such courses for 
attorneys identified in paragraph 1 of this subsection whose duties   
 
 
Req. No. 8662 	Page 15  1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
   1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
  
routinely include domestic violen ce responsibilities.  The chief 
judge of each judici al district, or any designee judge with domestic 
violence case responsibilities, shall carry out this mandate within 
one (1) year of the effective date of this act. 
SECTION 14.     AMENDATORY     22 O.S. 2021, Section 982, is 
amended to read as follows: 
Section 982. A.  Whenever a person is convict ed of a violent 
felony offense whether the c onviction is for a single offense or 
part of any combination of offenses, except when the death sentence 
is available as punishment for the of fense, the court may, before 
imposing the sentence, require a presente nce investigation be made 
of the offender by the Department of Corrections.  The court shal l 
order the defendant to pay a fee to the Department of Corrections of 
not less than Fifty Doll ars ($50.00) nor more than Five Hundred 
Dollars ($500.00) for the pres entence investigation.  In hardship 
cases, the court may reduce the amount of the fee and e stablish a 
payment schedule. 
B.  Whenever a person has a prior felony conviction and enters a 
plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a felony offense other than a 
violent felony offense, without an agreement by the district 
attorney regarding the sentence to be imposed, the court may order a 
presentence investigation be made by the Department of Corre ctions.  
The fee provided in subsection A of this section shall apply to 
persons subject to this subsection.   
 
 
Req. No. 8662 	Page 16  1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
   1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
  
C.  Whenever a person has entered a plea of not guil ty to a 
nonviolent felony offense and is found guilty by a court following a 
non-jury trial, the court may require a presentence investigati on be 
made by the Department of Corrections.  The fee provided in 
subsection A of this section shall apply to person s subject to this 
subsection. 
D.  When conducting a presentence investigation, the Department 
shall inquire into the circumstances of the of fense and the 
characteristics of the offender.  The information obtai ned from the 
investigation shall include, but n ot be limited to, a voluntary 
statement from each victim of the offense concerning the nature o f 
the offense and the impact of the offense o n the victim and the 
immediate family of the victim, the amount of th e loss suffered or 
incurred by the victim as a result of the criminal conduct of the 
offender, and the age, marital status, living arrangement s, 
financial obligations, income, family hist ory and education, prior 
juvenile and criminal records, prior abusive relationships, prior 
sexual assaults, prior ex perience as a victim of human trafficking, 
associations with other persons convicted of a felony offense, 
social history, indications of a p redisposition to violence or 
substance abuse, remorse or g uilt about the offense or the harm to 
the victim, job skills and employment history of the offender.  The 
Department shall make a report of information from such 
investigation to the court, includin g a recommendation detail ing the   
 
 
Req. No. 8662 	Page 17  1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
   1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
  
punishment which is deeme d appropriate for both the offense and the 
offender, and specifically a recommendation for or against probation 
or suspended sentence.  The report of the investigation shall be 
presented to the judg e within a reasonable tim e, and upon failure to 
present the report, the judge may proceed with sentencing.  
Whenever, in the opinion of the court or the Department, it is 
desirable, the investigation shall include a physical and mental 
examination or eithe r a physical or mental ex amination of the 
offender. 
E.  The district attorney may have a presentence investigation 
made by the Department on each person charged with a violent felony 
offense and entering a plea of guilty or a plea of nolo contendere 
as part of or in exchange for a plea agreement for a violent fel ony 
offense.  The presentence investigation shall be complete d before 
the terms of the plea agreement are finalized.  The court shall not 
approve the terms of any plea agreement without reviewing th e 
presentence investigati on report to determine whether or not the 
terms of the sentence are appropriate for both the o ffender and the 
offense.  The fee provided in subsection A of this section shall 
apply to persons subject to this subsection and shall be a condition 
of the plea agreement and sentence. 
F.  The presentence investigation reports specified in this 
section shall not be referred to, or be considered, in any appeal 
proceedings.  Before imposing a sentence, the court shall advise the   
 
 
Req. No. 8662 	Page 18  1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
   1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
  
defendant, counsel for the defendant, and the district attorney of 
the factual contents and conclusions of the presentence 
investigation report.  The court shall afford the offender a fair 
opportunity to controvert the findings and conclusions of the 
reports at the time of sentencing.  If eit her the defendant or the 
district attorney desires, a hearing shall be set by the court to 
allow both parties an opportunity to offer evidence proving or 
disproving any finding contained in a report, which shall be a 
hearing in mitigation or aggravation of punishment. 
G.  The required pre sentence investigation and report may be 
waived upon written waiver by the district attorney and the 
defendant and upon approval by the Court. 
H.  As used in this section, "violent felony offense " means: 
1.  Arson in the first degree; 
2.  Assault with a da ngerous weapon, battery with a dangerous 
weapon or assault an d battery with a dangerous weapon; 
3.  Aggravated assault and battery on a police officer, sheriff, 
highway patrol officer, or any other officer of the law; 
4.  Assault with intent to kill, or sh ooting with intent to 
kill; 
5.  Assault with intent to commit a felony, or use of a firearm 
to commit a felony; 
6.  Assault while masked or disguised; 
7.  Burglary in the first degree or burglary wi th explosives;   
 
 
Req. No. 8662 	Page 19  1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
   1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
  
8.  Child beating or maiming; 
9.  Forcible sodomy; 
10. Kidnapping, or kidnapping for extortion; 
11.  Lewd or indecent proposition or lewd or indecent acts with 
a child; 
12.  Manslaughter in the first or second degrees; 
13.  Murder in the fi rst or second degrees; 
14.  Rape in the first or second de grees, or rape by 
instrumentation; 
15.  Robbery in the first or second degrees, or robbery by two 
or more persons, or robbery with a dangerous weapon; or 
16.  Any attempt, solicitation or conspiracy to commit any of 
the above enumerated offenses.   
 
 
Req. No. 8662 	Page 20  1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
   1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
  
SECTION 15.  This act shall become effective November 1, 2024. 
 
59-2-8662 GRS 01/16/24