With mandatory life without parole sentences in juvenile cases held unconstitutional, Oklahoma lawmakers have crafted a bill making them possible only in first-degree murder cases.
Senate Bill 1221 would let prosecutors seek and a judge order the sentence. Sen. Kay Floyd said the bill was amended to deal with that subject just last week and with the help of House Speaker Harold Wright's daughter, Angela Marsee, who prosecuted a case the new law could affect.
"This isn’t about being soft on crime or tough on crime. This is about when we legislate these things, we need to do it in a thoughtful manner, speaking with people who practice in this intensely important area of law," Floyd said.
Sen. Paul Scott said if there are any issues with the bill, he will be the first to fix it next session.
"But right now, I’m concerned about victims, and I think our society overlooks the victim," Scott said.
Scott knew Alyssa Wiles, a 14-year-old murdered by her 16-year-old ex-boyfriend in 2013 whose name is included in the bill’s title.
Sen. AJ Griffin said the bill creates a tiered system where prosecutors in juvenile cases have only one judge to convince a life without parole sentence is appropriate, not 12 jurors.
"This bill will make our state the worst state in the country for children who commit crimes. We will again be known across this country as a place that does not protect its children," Griffin said.
SB1221 includes provisions allowing juveniles sentenced to life without parole to be considered for release after serving 85 percent of their sentences, or nearly 40 years. The bill also addresses qualifications for parole board members.
The bill is headed to the governor's desk.
