§ 53a-35b — “Life imprisonment” defined.

A sentence of life imprisonment means a definite sentence of sixty years, unless the sentence is life imprisonment without the possibility of release, imposed pursuant to subparagraph (A) or (B) of subdivision (1) of section 53a-35a, in which case the sentence shall be imprisonment for the remainder of the defendant's natural life. See Sec. 53a-35c re availability of sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of release.

Legislative History

(P.A. 80-442, S. 11, 28; P.A. 85-366, S. 3; P.A. 95-19, S. 2; P.A. 12-5, S. 3.) History: P.A. 80-442 effective July 1, 1981; P.A. 85-366 added provision re life imprisonment without the possibility of release; P.A. 95-19 made a technical change; P.A. 12-5 substituted “life imprisonment means” for “imprisonment for life shall mean” and “subparagraph (A) or (B) of subdivision (1) of section 53a-35a” for “subsection (g) of section 53a-46a”, effective April 25, 2012. Cited. 198 C. 92; 201 C. 276; 207 C. 374; 215 C. 231; 216 C. 282; 219 C. 752; 220 C. 169; 221 C. 430; 234 C. 139. Statutory provision affects substantive rights; in the absence of any clear and unequivocal expression by legislature rebutting presumption of prospective application, statute does not apply retroactively to persons sentenced prior to its enactment. 282 C. 317. Section does not apply to indeterminate life sentences imposed pursuant to Sec. 53a-35(b)(1), regardless of when the sentence was imposed, but applies solely to definite life sentences imposed pursuant to Sec. 53a-35a. 300 C. 649. Cited. 9 CA 686; 24 CA 612.