What is the deadline for death row inmates to file for sentence review?

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The Deadline for Sentence Review Applications is Three Months from September 12

Prisoners serving mandatory death or natural life imprisonment sentences have a three-month window, effective September 12, to file an application for review at the Federal Court. This is a one-off provision under the Review of Sentence of Death and Imprisonment for Natural Life (Temporary Jurisdiction of the Federal Court) Act 2023, which came into effect on the same date. The application process, including the filing of the motion and supporting affidavit, will be managed by the Prisons Department.
Application Submission and Extension

The application for review can be submitted to the court either manually or through e-filing within the 90-day period. While this timeframe is fixed, the court retains the discretion to consider applications for an extension if reasonable grounds are presented. This ensures that eligible prisoners are not unduly barred from seeking a review of their sentences due to unforeseen circumstances.
Legal Representation Options

Prisoners have several options regarding legal representation for their review applications. They are permitted to engage their own private lawyer. In cases involving the death sentence, a lawyer can be appointed by the court to represent the inmate. For those serving life imprisonment sentences, representation is available through a lawyer from the National Legal Aid Foundation. Cases originating from Sabah and Sarawak will be handled by legal professionals based in those respective states.
Specific Provisions for Foreign Nationals and Sentence Outcomes

For foreign nationals subject to these sentences, the Prisons Department will coordinate with their respective embassies and consulates to facilitate the application process. The review of each case will be heard by a panel of Federal Court judges. These judges have the authority to either uphold the existing sentence or commute it to a fixed jail term ranging from a minimum of 30 years to a maximum of 40 years. Should an application for review be rejected by the court, prisoners retain the right to appeal to the Pardons Board.
Scope of the Review

The current cohort affected by this review process includes a significant number of individuals. Specifically, 491 local and 415 foreign prisoners are under a mandatory death sentence. Additionally, 82 local and 32 foreign nationals are serving sentences of imprisonment for natural life. This review mechanism aims to provide an opportunity for these inmates to have their sentences re-evaluated under the new legislative framework.

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What is the deadline for death row inmates to file for sentence review?

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