People v. Sharpe

This case involves the constitutionality of one of the “15/20/25-to-life” sentence-enhancement amendments. See Pub. Act 91 — 404, § 5, eff. January 1, 2000. Specifically, this court is called upon to evaluate the constitutionality of the sentencing enhancements in the context of first degree murder.

BACKGROUND

Ordinarily, the baseline sentence for the crime of first degree murder is 20 to 60 years’ imprisonment. 730 ILCS 5/5 — 8—1(a) (West 2000). In 2000, however, the legislature enacted Public Act 91 — 404, which amended the sentencing provisions of each of several different felonies,…