Can "Second Look" Laws Allow Prisoners to Be Released Early?

 Posted on August 14, 2024 in Criminal Defense

The United States incarcerates more people than any other developed country. Many prisoners face lengthy sentences, including life in prison in many cases. As the prison population throughout the country ages, the costs of keeping people in prison are increasing. Many states are looking to address this issue by passing laws that allow for sentences to be reviewed and potentially reduced.

Prisoners may be able to pursue relief under these "second look" laws. However, there are a variety of legal factors that may play a role in these cases, and it is crucial to work with a criminal defense attorney who can help protect a person’s rights and advocate for solutions that will allow them to achieve success after being released.

The Benefits of "Second Look" Laws

State lawmakers have begun to address concerns about aging prisoners, the costs of incarceration, and the measures that may be taken to protect public safety. They have proposed or passed legislation that may allow courts to review sentences and determine whether prisoners may be released early.

In many cases, these laws address older prisoners who have served many years of a sentence and are less likely to commit additional crimes or endanger public safety after being released. Courts may look at a person’s age when they were charged with a crime and consider whether they have taken steps toward rehabilitation. Testimony from victims may also play a role in these cases, with people who have been affected by crimes being given the opportunity to provide statements about their concerns related to a person’s release from prison.

Criminal justice advocates believe that these measures can help reduce overcrowding in prisons while also ensuring that people who have paid their debt to society will be able to move forward from the mistakes they have made in the past. However, there are also critics of these laws who believe that prisoners should be required to complete their full sentences. Some people have raised concerns that hearings related to sentence reductions or the early release of prisoners may re-traumatize victims by forcing them to relive experiences that took place years or decades in the past.

Connecticut Laws Allowing for Sentence Reductions

In 2021, Connecticut passed a law that allows courts to revisit criminal cases and determine whether sentences may be modified. Hearings may be requested to address these issues, and if the sentencing judge determines that there is good cause, a person may be released, their sentence may be reduced, or they may be required to complete a period of probation or conditional discharge.

People convicted of crimes following criminal trials may request hearings at any time. If a person was convicted following a plea agreement, they will only be able to request a hearing if they were sentenced to at least seven years, and the state’s attorney must agree to seek a review of their sentence. If a person’s request to modify their sentence is denied, they must wait five years before they can request another sentence review. Mandatory minimum sentences cannot be reduced.

Contact Our Connecticut Criminal Defense Attorney

At Woolf Law Firm, LLC, we understand the difficulties that prisoners face when they are required to serve lengthy sentences. We work to help people who have paid their debt to society and taken steps toward rehabilitation seek relief. We can provide representation in sentence review hearings, and we will work to protect the rights of our clients throughout this process. Our Hartford criminal defense lawyer can also provide the representation needed during a criminal case to help avoid a conviction or ensure that the sentence imposed will be fair and just. To learn how we can help defendants and prisoners address these concerns, contact our office at 860-290-8690 and set up a free consultation.