Alaska § 12.55.088 - Modification of sentence.

§ 12.55.088. Modification of sentence.

 (a) The court may modify or reduce a sentence by entering a written order under a motion made within 180 days of the original sentencing.

 (b) The sentencing court may not be required to entertain a second or successive motion for similar relief brought under (a) of this section on behalf of the same prisoner.

 (c) A sentence may not be reduced or modified so as to result in a term of imprisonment that is less than the minimum sentence or lower than the presumptive range required by law for the original sentence.

 (d) A victim has the right to comment in writing to the court on a motion to modify or reduce a sentence filed by the person who perpetrated the offense against the victim, and has the right to give sworn testimony or make an unsworn oral presentation at a hearing held in connection with the motion. If there are numerous victims, the court may limit the number of victims who may give sworn testimony or make an unsworn oral presentation during the hearing.

 (e) If a motion is filed to modify or reduce a sentence by a defendant who perpetrated a crime against a person or arson in the first degree, the court shall, if feasible, send a copy of the motion to the Department of Corrections sufficiently in advance of any scheduled hearing or briefing deadline to enable the department to notify the victim of that crime. If that victim has earlier requested to be notified, the Department of Corrections shall send the victim a copy of the motion and inform the person of that person's rights under this section, the deadline for receipt of written comments, the hearing date, and the court's address.

 (f) The court shall provide copies of the victim's written comments to the prosecuting attorney, the person filing the motion to reduce or modify a sentence, and that person's attorney.

 (g) In deciding whether to modify or reduce a sentence, the court shall consider the victim's comments, testimony, or unsworn oral presentation, when relevant, and any response by the prosecuting attorney and the person filing the motion.

 (h) If a victim desires notice under this section, the victim shall maintain a current, valid mailing address on file with the commissioner of corrections. The commissioner shall send the notice to the victim's last known address. The victim's address may not be disclosed to the offender or to the offender's attorney.