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SB 25-189

Require Jury to Determine Prior Convictions

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Michael Carter and 7 co-sponsors

Summary — SB 25-189: Require Jury to Determine Prior ConvictionsStatus: Governor signed (signed into law June 2, 2025) Introduced: March 3, 2025 Primary Sponsors: Marc Snyder, Ma

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Bill Summary · SB 25-189

Summary — SB 25-189: Require Jury to Determine Prior Convictions

Status: Governor signed (signed into law June 2, 2025)
Introduced: March 3, 2025
Primary Sponsors: Marc Snyder, Matt Soper, Cecelia Espenoza, Larry Liston
Cosponsors: S. Woodrow, M. Froelich, M. Carter, M. Duran

Purpose and intent

The bill’s title, "Require Jury to Determine Prior Convictions," indicates the principal purpose is to change who must find prior convictions when they are relied upon to increase criminal penalties. Although the bill text is not included here, the intent is generally to shift the factfinding about a defendant’s prior convictions from a judge to a jury (or otherwise require a jury determination) before those convictions may be used to enhance a sentence.

Key provisions (based on bill title and legislative history)

  • Requires a jury, rather than a judge, to make factual findings about a defendant’s prior convictions before those convictions can be used to increase criminal penalties or sentencing ranges.
  • Likely affects procedures at trial and sentencing, including when prior-conviction allegations are presented to the jury and the burden or standard of proof required for such findings.
  • The Senate considered and adopted amendments during floor and committee stages (March–April 2025); the House ultimately passed the bill without further amendment.

Note: The precise statutory text, definitions, standards of proof, implementation mechanics, and any carve-outs are not available in the provided materials. Consult the final enrolled bill for exact language.

Who or what is affected

  • Criminal defendants whose prior convictions are relied upon for sentencing enhancements.
  • Prosecutors (who must present prior-conviction allegations to juries in appropriate cases).
  • Defense counsel (who may challenge admission or framing of prior-conviction evidence before juries).
  • Trial courts and court administration (changes in trial procedure, evidence presentation, and possible scheduling impacts).
  • Potentially the state’s corrections and sentencing outcomes (may affect whether and how enhancements are applied).

Procedural and timeline highlights

  • Introduced in the Senate: March 3, 2025.
  • Senate Judiciary and Appropriations committees considered amendments; passed Senate (with amendments) April 17–16, 2025.
  • House Judiciary and Appropriations considered the bill; House passed on third reading with no amendments May 5–12, 2025.
  • Sent to Governor May 12, 2025; signed into law June 2, 2025.
  • Effective date not specified here — check the enrolled act for the statutory effective date or implementation schedule.

Next steps / recommendation

To understand the exact legal changes and operational impact, review the final enrolled bill text and any legislative committee reports or fiscal notes accompanying SB 25-189.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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