NCJ Number
114437
Date Published
1987
Length
111 pages
Annotation
This manual provides information, worksheets, and instructions for applying Maryland's sentencing guidelines.
Abstract
The guidelines are designed to increase equity in sentencing, articulate the State's sentencing policy, provide information for judges, and promote increased visibility and understanding of the sentencing process. The guidelines cover most criminal cases originating in a circuit court. Instructions for using the guidelines worksheet cover computation of the offense and the offender scores. Offense scores are based on the seriousness category of the convicted offenses, victim injury, weapon use, and special vulnerability of the victim. The factors considered in the offender score include the offender's relationship to the criminal justice system when the instant offense occurred, juvenile delinquency, prior adult criminal record, and parole or probation violations. Instructions also cover determination of the sentence for person, property, drug, and multiple offenses; and for scoring single and multiple criminal events with one or more than one offense in seriousness category 1 and 2. Additional information considers presentence detention, mandatory sentences, and white-collar crime. Appendixes provide additional information on criminal offenses, classification of prior adult criminal record, and sentence ranges, as well as sample cases. 10 tables.