SB1962 Summary

• Amends the Unified Code of Corrections to create a new "Habitual Violent Offender" classification for persons convicted three times of felonies involving intentional or knowing infliction of great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement.

• Requires mandatory natural life imprisonment (except when death penalty is imposed) for persons adjudged habitual violent offenders, with the third offense committed after December 31, 2011 and within 20 years of the first conviction.

• Requires that defendants be sentenced to imprisonment on the first and second violent offenses and that the third offense be committed after conviction on the second offense.

• Prior convictions cannot be mentioned during trial but must be presented to the court after conviction and before sentencing through verified written statement from the State's Attorney, with defendant entitled to a hearing and counsel.

• Convictions arising from the same transaction or committed at the same time count as a single conviction for habitual violent offender purposes.