AL HB627

Establishes a five-member review panel of retired circuit judges to consider resentencing nonviolent offenders convicted under the Habitual Offender Act prior to 2000 amendments.

Panel members appointed by the Governor with Senate confirmation from nominees selected by a board comprised of the Chief Justice, Court of Criminal Appeals presiding judge, Lieutenant Governor, House Speaker, and Senate President Pro Tempore.

Panel members serve five-year terms, with two members constituting a quorum, and receive annual compensation paid from the State Treasury like other retired judges.

Grants the panel authority to resentence individuals who received mandatory life or life-without-parole sentences under the pre-2000 version of the Habitual Felony Offender Act.

Panel shall determine whether offenders would have been eligible for non-mandatory sentences under the 2000 amendment and decide whether resentencing is appropriate based on evaluations from the Department of Corrections and Board of Pardons and Paroles.