HB 1490 -- Determination of Sentence

Sponsor:  Shields

This bill makes the court the sole determiner of sentence in all
cases of felony and misdemeanor, except for first degree murder
when the defendant has not waived the death penalty.  Currently,
either a jury or the court may make determinations of sentence.
The bill also removes the jury from the determination of
sentence in cases where the defendant is a prior, persistent,
dangerous, or persistent misdemeanor offender.