A 5154: Requires jury, rather than court, to determine whether certain defendants are persistent offenders.
A 5154 status: Introduced — Approved P.L.2026, c.53 (updated Jul 22, 2026).
What this bill does
Overall score
Bill summary
OfficialRight now, a judge decides if someone is a "repeat criminal." This new proposal would let a jury decide instead. It is currently being debated in the state legislature.
Key analysis
Impact analysis
Environment
Benefits
- No direct impact on environmental policy identified.
Risks
- No direct impact on environmental policy identified.
Economy
Benefits
- Aligns state sentencing procedures with federal constitutional standards, potentially reducing appellate litigation costs.
Risks
- May increase court time and resource requirements due to the need for separate jury proceedings.
Society
Benefits
- Strengthens the Sixth Amendment right to a jury trial in sentencing enhancements.
- Ensures that 'persistent offender' statuses are proven beyond a reasonable doubt by a jury.
Risks
- Bifurcated trial procedures may lead to longer trial durations for defendants and jurors.
How trustworthy & consequential it is
Source
LegiScan
Confidence
highhigh
Analysis status
LegiScan full bill text
Increased administrative burden on the court system to conduct secondary proceedings for jury determination of enhancing facts.
Reflects already enacted law (P.L.2026, c.53) rather than a pending proposal.
Where it stands
Introduced
CurrentApproved P.L.2026, c.53.
Committee
UpcomingFloor
UpcomingGovernor
UpcomingEnacted
UpcomingHow it affects your district
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