SB16-098: Restore Judicial Discretion in Criminal Sentencing

• Repeals the extraordinary risk sentencing enhancer that previously increased maximum sentences for certain crimes, eliminating the automatic sentence enhancements for crimes like aggravated robbery, child abuse, stalking, and controlled substance distribution

• Changes mandatory sentencing requirements from "at least the midpoint" to "at least the minimum" of presumptive ranges for violent crimes, drug felonies, and other serious offenses, granting judges greater discretion

• Establishes specific maximum sentences for crimes of violence when sentenced to incarceration: 48 years for Class 2, 32 years for Class 3, 16 years for Class 4, 8 years for Class 5, and 4 years for Class 6 felonies

• Adds certain child abuse crimes under section 18-6-401(7)(a)(I) and (III), and stalking crimes under section 18-3-602(3)(b) as crimes of violence

• Repeals requirements that multiple crime of violence convictions from the same incident must be sentenced consecutively rather than concurrently, and makes numerous other mandatory minimum sentences discretionary