Eric’s Law

Sponsor: Ted Cruz (Republican-TX)February 25, 2025

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Introduced

In Committee

Passed One Chamber

Passed Both Chambers

Signed into Law

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Requires a new jury in federal death penalty cases if the first jury can't agree on a sentence.

This bill, called "Eric's Law," would change how federal death penalty cases are handled. If a jury can't agree on a sentence, federal prosecutors could ask for a new jury. If that second jury also can't agree, a death sentence would not be an option.

What Would Change

Today, if a jury in a federal death penalty case can't agree on a sentence, the court usually imposes a non-death sentence. If this bill passes, federal prosecutors could ask for a new jury to try again. If that second jury also can't agree, the court would then impose a non-death sentence.

Key Provisions

Names the bill "Eric's Law."
Changes federal law to allow a new sentencing hearing if a jury can't agree on a death penalty sentence.
Requires federal courts to call a new jury for sentencing if the first jury in a death penalty case can't agree, and federal prosecutors request it.
Ensures that if a second jury also can't agree on a death sentence, the court would impose a sentence other than death.

View on Congress.gov

S 718 · 119th Congress · February 25, 2025 · AI Summary by gemini-2.5-flash · 10/10

Lobbying Activity

2 filings mentioned this bill

Top Lobbying Clients

AMERICAN FED OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AFL-CIO

2 filings

Top Lobbying Firms

1.AMERICAN FED OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO2 filings