Criminal Justice (Sentencing)

in committee · Michigan · House Apr 15, 2025

HJR I: Crimes: other; exception to prohibition on slavery; eliminate. Amends sec. 9, art. I of the state constitution.

This bill proposes amending Michigan's state constitution to remove the exception allowing involuntary servitude as punishment for crime. It would change Article I, Section 9 to prohibit slavery and involuntary servitude "in all cases," eliminating the current constitutional allowance for forced labor in criminal sentencing. The change directly affects Michigan's criminal justice system by banning a legal basis for forced labor under state law. This constitutional amendment, if approved by voters, would make Michigan the first state to fully abolish this exception in its constitution. (3 sentences)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAmends constitution to ban forced labor in sentencing, eliminating a civil rights violation and advancing criminal justice reform by removing constitutional exception for involuntary servitude.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Sentencing

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in committee · Michigan · House Apr 22, 2025

HB 4337: Criminal procedure: sentencing guidelines; sentencing guidelines for crime of bringing in and harboring certain undocumented persons; provide for. Amends sec. 16t, ch. XVII of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 777.16t). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4336'25

House Bill 4337 proposes to amend Michigan's code of criminal procedure. It specifically modifies section 16t of chapter XVII (MCL 777.16t), which pertains to sentencing guidelines. The bill aims to establish new sentencing guidelines for individuals convicted of bringing in and harboring certain undocumented persons. This change would directly affect those charged with this specific crime and the courts responsible for their sentencing.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates specific sentencing guidelines for harboring undocumented persons, expanding criminalization of immigration-related offenses per indicators.92% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationAmends sentencing guidelines for 'bringing in and harboring certain undocumented persons,' increasing penalties for aiding undocumented immigrants, aligning with restrictive enforcement measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · Michigan · House Jun 4, 2025

HB 4533: Criminal procedure: sentencing guidelines; sentencing guidelines for crime of assaulting or battering or endangering a health care professional; provide for. Amends sec. 16d, ch. XVII of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 777.16d). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4532'25

HB 4533 amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines to specifically address crimes involving assaults, battering, or endangering healthcare professionals. The bill directly affects healthcare workers who are victims of such attacks, as well as courts that determine sentences for offenders. It establishes new, separate sentencing guidelines under MCL 777.16d for these offenses, ensuring they are treated with appropriate severity distinct from general assault charges. This change creates a clear policy mechanism for judges to apply consistent, elevated penalties when healthcare workers are targeted.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates specific sentencing guidelines for assaults on healthcare workers, ensuring appropriate penalties and enhancing protection within criminal justice system.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAmends sentencing guidelines to specifically protect healthcare professionals from assault, strengthening legal safeguards for medical workers within healthcare delivery systems.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes stricter sentencing for assaults against healthcare workers, directly protecting workplace safety for a specific worker group. This aligns with Labor & Employment's workplace safety focus by enhancing protection for victims of wor...80% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Violent Crime

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in committee · Michigan · House Jun 17, 2025

HB 4651: Criminal procedure: sentencing guidelines; sentencing guidelines for crimes against animals; revise. Amends sec. 22, ch. XVII of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 777.22). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4645'25, HB 4647'25

HB 4651 amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines to specifically include crimes against animals as a distinct category. It adds offense variable 16 for violations of Michigan's animal cruelty law (MCL 750.110a), requiring judges to consider this factor when sentencing cases involving animal abuse. This change directly affects judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys handling animal cruelty cases by adding a standardized scoring element to sentencing calculations. The bill does not alter penalties but ensures animal cruelty offenses receive specific consideration within the existing sentencing framework.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds standardized sentencing factor for animal cruelty, refining judicial consideration of crime severity per criminal justice reform principles92% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · Michigan · House Jun 17, 2025

HB 4646: Criminal procedure: sentencing guidelines; sentencing guidelines for crimes against animals; revise. Amends sec. 1, ch. XVII of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 777.1).

HB 4646 clarifies that "companion animal" (as defined in Michigan's penal code) is explicitly included in sentencing guidelines for animal-related crimes. The bill amends Michigan's code of criminal procedure to formally define this term within sentencing context, ensuring courts use the existing definition from MCL 750.50b. This change directly affects judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys handling cases involving cruelty to companion animals. It does not create new penalties or alter sentencing ranges - only standardizes terminology for consistency in court proceedings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies sentencing guidelines for animal cruelty cases, ensuring consistent application of existing laws under criminal justice framework.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · Michigan · House Jul 22, 2025

HB 4738: Criminal procedure: sentencing guidelines; sentencing guidelines for killing or causing serious physical harm to a police dog, police horse, or a search and rescue dog; modify. Amends sec. 16b, ch. XVII of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 777.16b). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4732'25

HB 4738 amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines to increase penalties for harming specific working animals used by law enforcement. The bill directly affects individuals who kill or cause serious physical harm to police dogs, police horses, or search and rescue dogs. It would modify existing sentencing guidelines (MCL 777.16b) to establish stricter penalties for these offenses, treating them as more severe crimes. This change would apply to all such incidents occurring in Michigan, with sentencing adjustments to reflect the heightened risk to public safety and law enforcement operations. The bill was introduced on July 15, 2025, and referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for harming law enforcement animals, expanding criminalization under sentencing guidelines per MCL 777.16b.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Sentencing

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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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signed · Michigan · House Aug 26, 2025

HB 4048: Criminal procedure: sentencing guidelines; guidelines for dissemination of deep fake sexual images; enact. Amends sec. 17b, ch. XVII of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 777.17b). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4047'25

HB 4048 adds a new sentencing guideline for distributing intimate deepfake sexual images with aggravating circumstances, classifying it as a Class F felony punishable by up to 3 years in prison. This directly affects individuals convicted of disseminating such deepfakes, particularly those with prior offenses under Michigan law. The bill amends sentencing guidelines in Chapter XVII of the Michigan Penal Code to specifically address this crime, establishing a clear penalty framework for courts to apply. It became effective immediately upon the Governor's approval on August 26, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds new felony charge for deepfake distribution, expanding criminalization rather than reforming justice systems or protecting rights.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyAddresses non-consensual deepfake distribution as felony, strengthening privacy protections under technology-related crimes per bill's sentencing guidelines and subjects.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Artificial Intelligence

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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