9.95.011 - Minimum terms.

Minimum terms.

(1) When the court commits a convicted person to the department of corrections on or after July 1, 1986, for an offense committed before July 1, 1984, the court shall, at the time of sentencing or revocation of probation, fix the minimum term. The term so fixed shall not exceed the maximum sentence provided by law for the offense of which the person is convicted.

     The court shall attempt to set the minimum term reasonably consistent with the purposes, standards, and sentencing ranges adopted under RCW 9.94A.850, but the court is subject to the same limitations as those placed on the board under RCW 9.92.090, 9.95.040 (1) through (4), 9.95.115, 9A.32.040, 9A.44.045, and chapter 69.50 RCW. The court's minimum term decision is subject to review to the same extent as a minimum term decision by the parole board before July 1, 1986.

     Thereafter, the expiration of the minimum term set by the court minus any time credits earned under RCW 9.95.070 and 9.95.110 constitutes the parole eligibility review date, at which time the board may consider the convicted person for parole under RCW 9.95.100 and 9.95.110 and chapter 72.04A RCW. Nothing in this section affects the board's authority to reduce or increase the minimum term, once set by the court, under RCW 9.95.040, 9.95.052, 9.95.055, 9.95.070, 9.95.080, 9.95.100, 9.95.115, 9.95.125, or 9.95.047.

     (2)(a) Except as provided in (b) of this subsection, not less than ninety days prior to the expiration of the minimum term of a person sentenced under RCW 9.94A.507, for a sex offense committed on or after September 1, 2001, less any time credits permitted by statute, the board shall review the person for conditional release to community custody as provided in RCW 9.95.420. If the board does not release the person, it shall set a new minimum term not to exceed an additional five years. The board shall review the person again not less than ninety days prior to the expiration of the new minimum term.

     (b) If at the time a person sentenced under RCW 9.94A.507 for a sex offense committed on or after September 1, 2001, arrives at a department of corrections facility, the offender's minimum term has expired or will expire within one hundred twenty days of the offender's arrival, then no later than one hundred twenty days after the offender's arrival at a department of corrections facility, but after the board receives the results from the end of sentence review process and the recommendations for additional or modified conditions of community custody from the department, the board shall review the person for conditional release to community custody as provided in RCW 9.95.420. If the board does not release the person, it shall set a new minimum term not to exceed an additional five years. The board shall review the person again not less than ninety days prior to the expiration of the new minimum term.

     (c) In setting a new minimum term, the board may consider the length of time necessary for the offender to complete treatment and programming as well as other factors that relate to the offender's release under RCW 9.95.420. The board's rules shall permit an offender to petition for an earlier review if circumstances change or the board receives new information that would warrant an earlier review.

[2009 c 28 § 21; 2007 c 363 § 1; 2002 c 174 § 2; 2001 2nd sp.s. c 12 § 320; 1993 c 144 § 3; 1986 c 224 § 7.]

Notes: Effective date -- 2009 c 28: See note following RCW 2.24.040.

Effective date -- 2002 c 174: See note following RCW 9.95.420.

Intent -- Severability -- Effective dates -- 2001 2nd sp.s. c 12: See notes following RCW 71.09.250.

Application -- 2001 2nd sp.s. c 12 §§ 301-363: See note following RCW 9.94A.030.

Effective date -- 1993 c 144: See note following RCW 9.95.045.

Effective date -- Severability -- 1986 c 224: See notes following RCW 9.95.001.