Summary:

 House Bill 547 (HB 547) relates to criminal sentencing and requires a judge to only consider aggravating circumstances for the alteration of a basic sentence of a person convicted of a serious violent offense.   

Legislation Overview:

 House Bill 547 (HB 547) amends Section 31-18-15.1 NMSA 1978 regarding how a judge can change a basic sentence for a crime.  Currently, a court can hold a hearing to determine whether mitigating or aggravating circumstances exist in deciding whether to alter a basic sentence.  This bill provides that in such a hearing, the court can only consider aggravating circumstances if the defendant was convicted of a serious violent offense.