HB 358 -- Sentencing Procedures

Sponsor:  Lipke

This bill eliminates the bifurcated jury sentencing process in
which an offender is tried and then sentenced in separate phases
of a trial.  The court must instruct the jury on the range of
authorized punishment, and the jury is required to assess
punishment as a part of their verdict upon a finding of guilt.
If the court finds that the jury cannot agree on the punishment,
the jury may return its verdict without assessing punishment; and
the court will assess punishment.

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated August 25, 2005 at 1:19 pm