HB274 (Sentencing Amendments)

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. After much negotiation, the final version of the bill removes the designated seats for an indigent defense attorney and juvenile defense attorney but retains three total defense attorney seats. The bill will also triple the number of law enforcement and prosecution seats, critically altering the Commission’s balance.