Sentencing guidelines in Pennsylvania are a set of rules and recommendations that judges use to determine appropriate sentences for criminal offenders. These guidelines were established in the 1980s and are intended to promote consistency and fairness in sentencing across the state.
The Pennsylvania Sentencing Guidelines are based on a matrix that takes into account the severity of the offense and the offender’s prior criminal record. The matrix assigns a point value to each offense, with more serious offenses receiving higher point values. The offender’s prior criminal record is also assigned a point value based on the number and severity of past convictions.
Once the offense and prior record points are determined, they are combined to determine a sentencing range. This range represents a minimum and maximum sentence that the judge may impose. The guidelines also provide for mitigating and aggravating circumstances that may be considered in adjusting the sentence within the recommended range.
Judges are not required to follow the guidelines but must provide a written explanation if they deviate from the recommended range. The guidelines are not mandatory, and judges have the discretion to impose a sentence outside the recommended range if they feel that such a sentence is appropriate.
In summary, sentencing guidelines in Pennsylvania provide a framework for judges to determine appropriate sentences for criminal offenders. They are intended to promote consistency and fairness in sentencing, but judges have the discretion to deviate from the recommended range if they feel that such a sentence is appropriate.
