AR HB1587

Amends Arkansas Code § 5-4-501(a)(1) to require defendants meeting habitual offender criteria "shall be sentenced" to an extended term of imprisonment, changing previous language that allowed discretionary sentencing.

Applies to defendants convicted of felonies (other than those enumerated in subsections (c) and (d)) committed after June 30, 1993, with 2-3 prior felony convictions.

Applies to defendants convicted of felonies listed in subsections (c) or (d) committed after August 31, 1997, with 2-3 prior felony convictions not enumerated in those same subsections.

Amends Arkansas Code § 5-4-501(b)(1) with identical mandatory sentencing language for defendants with 4 or more prior felony convictions meeting specified criteria.

Approved on April 21, 2021.