Wendy Shoob (left) and Scott Smith. (Courtesy photos) Ga. Criminal Defense Attorneys, Ex-Judge Push for Juries to Get Sentencing Info at Trials
"Jurors think that felony murder is a lesser punishment or a fair compromise when they cannot reach a unanimous decision in deliberations," veteran defense attorney Scott Smith said. "The jury almost always does not know the minimum punishment to a conviction for felony murder is life in prison. There is a movement among the defense bar to inform the jury of the sentencing range where there are mandatory minimums the court is bound by."
January 06, 2023 at 02:31 PM
12 minute read
The Georgia General Assembly's 2023 session begins Monday, and some criminal defense attorneys and at least one former judge are hoping this year legislators will amend existing laws or approve new ones involving the sentencing information judges can provide to juries at trials.
Currently in Georgia, juries in criminal trials are asked by judges only to determine the guilt or innocence of defendants charged with crimes and are not told what sentences each of those crimes would include, with the judges saying sentencing is their job.
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