Legis Daily

Eric’s Law

USA119th CongressS-718| Senate 
| Updated: 2/25/2025
Ted Cruz

Ted Cruz

Republican Senator

Texas

Cosponsors (1)
Pete Ricketts (Republican)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation amends title 18, United States Code, specifically section 3593, which outlines sentencing procedures in federal capital cases. It introduces a new requirement for impaneling a new jury when the initial jury cannot reach a unanimous sentencing recommendation. The bill aims to provide a clear procedural path forward in such instances, ensuring that capital cases do not stall due to jury deadlock on sentencing. Under the proposed changes, if a jury in a death-eligible case does not reach a unanimous vote on whether to recommend a sentence of death, life imprisonment without release, or a lesser sentence, the court must, upon motion from the government, order a new special hearing . This new hearing will involve impaneling a completely new jury to consider the sentencing phase of the trial. This provision ensures that the sentencing decision is thoroughly re-evaluated by a fresh panel of jurors. Crucially, the bill specifies the outcome if this newly impaneled jury also fails to reach a unanimous recommendation regarding the sentence. In such a scenario, the court is then mandated to impose a sentence other than death that is authorized by law. This final provision ensures a definitive resolution in cases where multiple juries remain divided on capital sentencing, preventing indefinite deadlock and providing a clear path to judgment.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-2264
Eric’s Law

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-1721
Eric’s Law

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-529
Eric’s Law
Feb 25, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-1556
Introduced in House
Feb 25, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Feb 25, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-2264
    Eric’s Law


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-1721
    Eric’s Law


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-529
    Eric’s Law


  • February 25, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-1556
    Introduced in House


  • February 25, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 25, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Crime and Law Enforcement

Related Bills

  • HR 119-1556: Eric’s Law
Criminal procedure and sentencingJudicial procedure and administration

Eric’s Law

USA119th CongressS-718| Senate 
| Updated: 2/25/2025
This legislation amends title 18, United States Code, specifically section 3593, which outlines sentencing procedures in federal capital cases. It introduces a new requirement for impaneling a new jury when the initial jury cannot reach a unanimous sentencing recommendation. The bill aims to provide a clear procedural path forward in such instances, ensuring that capital cases do not stall due to jury deadlock on sentencing. Under the proposed changes, if a jury in a death-eligible case does not reach a unanimous vote on whether to recommend a sentence of death, life imprisonment without release, or a lesser sentence, the court must, upon motion from the government, order a new special hearing . This new hearing will involve impaneling a completely new jury to consider the sentencing phase of the trial. This provision ensures that the sentencing decision is thoroughly re-evaluated by a fresh panel of jurors. Crucially, the bill specifies the outcome if this newly impaneled jury also fails to reach a unanimous recommendation regarding the sentence. In such a scenario, the court is then mandated to impose a sentence other than death that is authorized by law. This final provision ensures a definitive resolution in cases where multiple juries remain divided on capital sentencing, preventing indefinite deadlock and providing a clear path to judgment.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-2264
Eric’s Law

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-1721
Eric’s Law

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-529
Eric’s Law
Feb 25, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-1556
Introduced in House
Feb 25, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Feb 25, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-2264
    Eric’s Law


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-1721
    Eric’s Law


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-529
    Eric’s Law


  • February 25, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-1556
    Introduced in House


  • February 25, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 25, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Ted Cruz

Ted Cruz

Republican Senator

Texas

Cosponsors (1)
Pete Ricketts (Republican)

Judiciary Committee

Crime and Law Enforcement

Related Bills

  • HR 119-1556: Eric’s Law
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Criminal procedure and sentencingJudicial procedure and administration