To provide mandatory life imprisonment for persons convicted of a third violent felony.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 256.
Congressional Research Service
Official summary
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Mar 8, 1994
Amends the Federal criminal code to require that a person convicted in a U.S. court of a serious violent felony be sentenced to life imprisonment if: (1) the person has been convicted of such a felony on two or more prior occasions in a Federal or State court; and (2) each serious violent felony used as a basis for sentencing under such provision, other than the first, was committed after the defendant's conviction of the preceding serious violent felony. Lists non-qualifying felonies, including: (1) robbery or an attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation to commit robbery if the defendant establishes by clear and convincing evidence that no firearm or other dangerous weapon was involved in the offense and the offense did not result in death or serious bodily injury to any person; and (2) arson if the defendant establishes by such evidence that the offense posed no threat to human life and that the defendant reasonably believed the offense posed no threat to human life. Makes provisions of the Controlled Substances Act regarding information filed by the U.S. Attorney in proceedings to establish previous convictions applicable to the imposition of sentence under this Act. Specifies that this Act shall not be construed to preclude imposition of the death penalty.
Source last updated: Jun 2, 2021. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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