NCJ Number
103252
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 50 Issue: 3 Dated: (September 1986) Pages: 15-23
Date Published
1986
Length
9 pages
Annotation
In 1982, the Pennsylvania Legislature adopted sentencing guidelines submitted by the State's commission on sentencing. The guidelines were designed to provide the courts with standards that recognized an individualized sentencing model and also reduced sentencing disparity.
Abstract
Having decided to write prescriptive rather than descriptive guidelines, the commission adopted a benchmark approach that considers such utilitarian goals as rehabilitation, deterrence, incapacitation, and retribution. A number of factors are considered in the guidelines. An offense gravity score (1 to 10) was developed for each crime on the basis of physical or potential physical injury to the victim, the statutory classification of the offense, and the culpability of the offender. Additional factors include criminal history, offender characteristics, juvenile record, current correctional status, and prior record. Minimum sentence lengths derived from the guidelines are proportionate to the severity of the current conviction offense and the severity and frequency of prior convictions. In the standards for appellate review, the courts are directed to more closely scrutinize those sentences that fall outside the guidelines. An appendix provides the sentencing matrix for offenses with gravity scores of 1 to 10. 3 references.