{"id":352309,"date":"2019-02-27T16:17:44","date_gmt":"2019-02-27T21:17:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/selected-state-sentencing-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-04-23T12:56:01","modified_gmt":"2024-04-23T17:56:01","slug":"selected-state-sentencing-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/selected-state-sentencing-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Selected State Sentencing Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Selected State Sentencing Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Samuel Strom, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Sentencing guidelines have been at the center of much debate. Some feel that strict guidelines ensure justice by eliminating bias, so that defendants are punished the same regardless of their race or social status. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

Following a conviction or guilty plea, a criminal case proceeds to sentencing<\/a>. The court typically schedules a sentencing hearing. There, a sentencing judge determines a convicted person’s punishment.<\/p>\n

Whether the case is in federal or state court affects the sentencing procedure. In a federal case, the sentencing judge must consider the federal sentencing guidelines<\/a>. In a state court case, they consult the state’s applicable sentencing laws. Sentencing can vary widely between states.<\/p>\n

Sentencing judges may also consider other factors<\/a>. For example, many states consider prior criminal convictions as aggravating factors. A lengthy criminal record may lengthen a convicted person’s sentence. Most states also consider mitigating factors, which may decrease the period of incarceration.<\/p>\n

This article explains state sentencing guidelines. It then provides a summary of each state’s sentencing guidelines. If you’re facing criminal charges, consider contacting a criminal defense attorney<\/a> for more information about your state’s sentencing guidelines.<\/p>\n

Sentencing Guidelines Explained<\/h2>\n

Before the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984<\/a>, judges engaged in indeterminate sentencing<\/a>. This allowed judges broad discretion to sentence someone to jail or prison. Sentencing judges often consider:<\/p>\n