Overview

• The Senate passed PL 4.809/2024 in a symbolic vote, sending the package to the Chamber and amending the Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code, Drug Law, Disarmament Statute, Heinous Crimes law and procurement rules.
• The bill lowers the threshold to start serving time in a closed regime to sentences above six years, with four to six years starting in a semi-open regime.
• Penalties rise for key offenses, including robbery with a restricted or prohibited firearm (8–20 years), robbery causing serious injury (10–20 years), formation of militia (6–10 years) and homicide minimums (now 8 years).
• The text creates new criminal types such as qualified resistance (1–3 years) and sets 10–20 years for possession or use of prohibited or illicit-origin firearms, while violent international arms commerce and trafficking are classified as heinous.
• Judges gain clearer criteria for preventive detention based on habitual violence and faction ties, and regime progression in trafficking, militia or organized-crime cases is conditioned on fine payment, with exceptions for those who prove indigence.