Legislation

This bill further changes the composition of the Utah Sentencing Commission in favor of carceral interests. Originally, the bill would have eliminated seats for criminal defense attorneys and added additional seats for prosecutors and Utah Sheriffs Association representatives.  

HB495 modifies competency proceedings in capital felony cases, removing important protections for individuals with intellectual disabilities by: requiring initial IQ tests and penalizing defendants who object to them, changing the criteria and process for automatic review of death sentences, creating expedited review timelines, and creating barriers for appeal and ineffective assistance of counsel challenges.