ME LD535

Authorizes courts to commit juveniles adjudicated of murder or Class A crimes to juvenile correctional facilities for terms extending beyond age 21, up to the maximum adult sentence for equivalent conduct

Requires courts to consider six factors when imposing extended sentences: offense severity and circumstances, juvenile's age and maturity, capacity for reform, prior criminal record, victim impact, and psychological assessment findings

Mandates transfer of juveniles with extended sentences to adult correctional facilities upon reaching age 21

Expands right to counsel at periodic disposition reviews to all juveniles regardless of age, removing the previous limitation to those under 21

Presented by Representative Fredette of Newport and referred to the Committee on Judiciary (February 11, 2025)