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§303.1. Sentencing guidelines standards.
(a) The court shall consider the sentencing guidelines in
determining the appropriate sentence for offenders convicted of, or pleading
guilty or nolo contendere to, felonies and misdemeanors.
(b) The sentencing guidelines do not apply to sentences
imposed as a result of the following: accelerated rehabilitative disposition;
disposition in lieu of trial; direct or indirect contempt of court; violations
of protection from abuse orders; revocation of probation, intermediate
punishment or parole.
(c) The sentencing guidelines shall apply to all
offenses committed on or after the effective date of the guidelines. Amendments
to the guidelines shall apply to all offenses committed on or after the date the
amendment becomes part of the guidelines.
(1) When there are current multiple convictions for
offenses that overlap two sets of guidelines, the former guidelines shall
apply to offenses that occur prior to the effective date of the amendment and
the later guidelines shall apply to offenses that occur on or after the
effective date of the amendment. If the specific dates of the offenses cannot
be determined, then the later guidelines shall apply to all offenses.
(2) The initial sentencing guidelines went into
effect on July 22, 1982 and applied to all crimes committed on or after that
date. Amendments to the guidelines went into effect in June 1983, January 1986
and June 1986. On October 7, 1987 the Pennsylvania Supreme Court invalidated
the guidelines due to a procedural error that occurred in 1981 when the
legislature rejected the first set of guidelines. New guidelines were drafted
and became effective on April, 25, 1988. Amendments to the guidelines went
into effect August 9, 1991 and December 20, 1991. A revised set of guidelines
became effective August 12, 1994. The current set of guidelines become
effective June 13, 1997.
(d) In every case in which the court imposes a sentence
for a felony or misdemeanor, the court shall make as a part of the record, and
disclose in open court at the time of sentencing, a statement of the reason or
reasons for the sentence imposed. In every case where the court imposes a
sentence outside the sentencing guidelines, the court shall provide a
contemporaneous written statement of the reason or reasons for the deviation
from the guidelines. These reasons shall be recorded on the Guideline Sentence
Form, a copy of which is forwarded to the Commission on Sentencing.
(e) A Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing Guideline
Sentence Form shall be completed at the court's direction and shall be made a
part of the record no later than 30 days after the date of each sentencing and a
copy shall be forwarded to the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing.
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§303.2. Procedure for
determining the guideline sentence.
(a) The procedure for determining the guideline sentence
shall be as follows:
(1) Determine the Offense Gravity Score as described in
§303.3 and §303.15.
(2) Determine the Prior Record Score as described in
§303.4 - §303.8.
(3) Determine the guideline sentence recommendation
as described in §303.9 - §303.14, including Deadly Weapon Enhancement and
Youth/School Enhancement (§303.10), and aggravating or mitigating
circumstances (§303.13).
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§303.3. Offense Gravity Score -
general.
(a) An Offense Gravity Score is given for each offense.
The Offense Gravity Scores are located in §303.15.
(b) Subcategorized offenses. Certain offenses are
subcategorized and scored by the Commission according to the particular
circumstances of the offense. The court determines which Offense Gravity Score,
located in §303.15, applies. These offenses are designated by an asterisk [*].
(c) Inchoate offenses. Inchoate offenses are scored as
follows:
(1) Convictions for attempt, solicitation, or conspiracy
to commit a Felony 1 offense receive an Offense Gravity Score of one point
less than the offense attempted, solicited, or which was the object of the
conspiracy.
(2) Convictions for attempt, solicitation, or
conspiracy to commit any offense which is not a Felony 1 offense, receive the
Offense Gravity Score of the offense attempted, solicited, or which was the
object of the conspiracy.
(3) Convictions for attempt, solicitation, or
conspiracy to commit any offense under The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device
and Cosmetic Act (35 P.S. §780-101 -- §780-144) receive the Offense Gravity
Score of the offense attempted, solicited, or which was the object of the
conspiracy.
(4) Exception for inchoate murder convictions.
Convictions for attempt, solicitation, or conspiracy to commit murder receive
the Offense Gravity Score of 14 if there is serious bodily injury and 13 if
there is no serious bodily injury.
(d) Ethnic Intimidation. Convictions for Ethnic
Intimidation (18 Pa. C.S. §2710) receive an Offense Gravity Score that is one
point higher than the offense which was the object of the Ethnic Intimidation.
When the object offense is Murder of the Third Degree, a conviction for Ethnic
Intimidation receives the highest Offense Gravity Score.
(e) Violations of The Controlled Substance, Drug,
Device and Cosmetic Act (35 P.S. §§780-101 -- 780-144). If any mixture or
compound contains any detectable amount of a controlled substance, the entire
amount of the mixture or compound shall be deemed to be composed of the
controlled substance. If a mixture or compound contains a detectable amount of
more than one controlled substance, the mixture or compound shall be deemed to
be composed entirely of the controlled substance which has the highest Offense
Gravity Score.
(1) Exception for prescription pills. The exception to
subsection (e) above is for violations of 35 P.S. §780-113 (a)(12) (relating
to fraudulent prescriptions) when prescription pills of Schedule II are
involved. For such violations it is the number of pills rather than the amount
of the controlled substance which is considered in determining the Offense
Gravity Score. (See §303.15.)
(f) Omnibus Offense Gravity Scores. The Omnibus Offense
Gravity Score is applied when the offense is not otherwise listed in §303.15,
or when the grade of an offense listed in §303.15 has changed, unless
application of this section would result in a lower Offense Gravity Score for an
increased grading of the offense. The Omnibus Offense Gravity Scores are
provided below and in the listing at §303.15:
Felony 1 8
Felony 2 7
Felony 3 5
Felonies not subclassified
by the General Assembly 5
Misdemeanor 1 3
Misdemeanor 2 2
Misdemeanor 3 1
Misdemeanors not subclassified
by the General Assembly 1
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§303.4. Prior Record Score -
categories.
(a) Prior Record Score categories. Determination of the
correct Prior Record Score category under this section is based on the type and
number of prior convictions (§303.5) and prior juvenile adjudications (§303.6).
There are eight Prior Record Score categories: Repeat Violent Offender [REVOC],
Repeat Felony 1 and Felony 2 Offender [RFEL], and point-based categories of 0,
1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
(1) Repeat Violent Offender Category [REVOC]. Offenders
who have two or more previous convictions or adjudications for four point
offenses (§303.7(a)(1) and §303.15) and whose current conviction carries an
Offense Gravity Score of 9 or higher shall be classified in the Repeat Violent
Offender Category.
(2) Repeat Felony 1/ Felony 2 Offender Category [RFEL].
Offenders who have previous convictions or adjudications for Felony 1 and/or
Felony 2 offenses which total 6 or more in the prior record, and who do not
fall within the Repeat Violent Offender Category, shall be classified in the
Repeat Felony 1/ Felony 2 Offender Category.
(3) Point-based Categories (0-5). Offenders who do
not fall into the REVOC or RFEL categories shall be classified in a
Point-based Category. The Prior Record Score shall be the sum of the points
accrued based on previous convictions or adjudications, up to a maximum of
five points.
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§303.5. Prior Record Score - prior convictions.
(a) All prior convictions shall be counted in the Prior
Record Score, except certain prior convictions from sentences described in (b).
(b) When a sentence for a prior conviction was imposed
totally concurrent to another sentence, or was served totally concurrent to
another sentence, only the conviction with the greatest number of points under
§303.7 shall be counted.
(c) Totally concurrent. A conviction is considered
totally concurrent if the sentence imposed did not increase the term of
probation, intermediate punishment, partial or total confinement of any
sentence.
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§303.6. Prior Record Score - prior juvenile
adjudications.
(a) Juvenile adjudication criteria. Prior juvenile
adjudications are counted in the Prior Record Score when the following criteria
are met:
(1) The juvenile offense occurred on or after the
offender's 14th birthday, and
(2) There was an express finding by the juvenile
court that the adjudication was for a felony or one of the Misdemeanor 1
offenses listed in §303.7(a)(4).
(b) Only the most serious juvenile adjudication of each
prior disposition is counted in the Prior Record Score. No other prior juvenile
adjudication shall be counted in the Prior Record Score.
(c) Lapsing of juvenile adjudications. Prior juvenile
adjudications for four point offenses listed in §303.7(a)(1) shall always be
included in the Prior Record Score, provided the criteria in subsection (a)
above are met:
(1) All other juvenile adjudications not identified
above in subsection (a) lapse and shall not be counted in the Prior Record
Score if the offender was 28 years of age or older at the time the current
offense was committed.
(2) Nothing in this section shall prevent the court
from considering lapsed prior adjudications at the time of sentencing.
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§303.7. Prior Record Score - guideline points scoring.
(a) Scoring of prior convictions and adjudications is
provided below and in the listing
of offenses at §303.15:
(1) Four Point Offenses. Four points are added for each
prior conviction or
adjudication for the following offenses:
Murder, and attempt, solicitation or conspiracy to commit Murder
Voluntary Manslaughter
Drug Delivery Resulting in Death
Aggravated Assault (causing serious bodily injury)
Kidnapping
Rape
Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse
Arson (resulting in bodily injury or a person inside at start)
Burglary (adapted structure, person present)
Robbery (inflicts serious bodily injury)
Robbery of Motor Vehicle (inflicts serious bodily injury)
Ethnic Intimidation to any Felony 1 offense
(2) Three Point Offenses. Three points are added for
each prior conviction or adjudication
for the following offenses:
All other Felony 1 offenses not listed in §303.7 (a)(1).
All inchoates to offenses listed in §303.7 (a)(1).
Sexual Assault
Aggravated Indecent Assault
Violation of 35 P.S.§§780-113(a)(12)(14) or (30) involving 50 grams
or more
, including inchoates involving 50 grams
or more.
(3) Two Point Offenses. Two points are added for each
prior conviction or adjudication for the following offenses:
All other Felony 2 offenses not listed in §303.7 (a)(1) or (a)(2).
All felony drug violations not listed in §303.7 (a)(2), including
inchoates.
(4) One Point Offenses. One point is added for each
prior conviction or adjudication for the following offenses:
All other felony offenses not listed in §303.7 (a)(1), (a)(2) or (a)(3).
Any of the following Misdemeanor 1 offenses that involve weapons:
Possessing Instruments of Crime
Prohibited Offensive Weapons
Possession of Weapon on School Property
Possession of Firearm or Other Dangerous Weapon in Court
Facility
Violations of the Pennsylvania Uniform Firearms Act
Any of the following Misdemeanor 1 offenses that involve death
or danger to children:
Involuntary Manslaughter
Simple Assault (against child by adult)
Luring a Child into a Vehicle
Indecent Assault (involving minors)
Indecent Exposure (person less than age 16 present)
Endangering Welfare of Children
Dealing in Infant Children
Corruption of Minors (of a sexual nature)
Homicide by Vehicle
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Controlled Substance when the
grade is a Misdemeanor 1.
(5) Other Misdemeanor Offenses. All other misdemeanor
offenses are designated by
an "m" in the offense listing at §303.15,
and are scored as follows:
(i) One point is added if the offender was previously
convicted of two or three misdemeanors.
(ii) Two points are added if the offender was
previously convicted of four to six misdemeanors.
(iii) Three points are added if the offender was
previously convicted of seven or more misdemeanors.
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§303.8. Prior Record Score - miscellaneous.
(a) Prior convictions and adjudications of delinquency. A
prior conviction means "previously convicted"
as defined in 42 Pa. C.S.
§2154(a)(2). A prior adjudication of delinquency means "previously
adjudicated delinquent" as defined in 42 Pa. C.S. §2154(a)(2). In order
for an offense to be
considered in the Prior Record Score, both the commission
of and conviction for the previous offense
must occur before the commission of
the current offense.
(b) Inchoate offenses. Unless otherwise provided in §303.7
or §303.15, a prior conviction
or adjudication of delinquency for criminal
attempt, criminal solicitation or criminal conspiracy
is scored under §303.7
based upon the grade of the inchoate offense.
(c) Ethnic Intimidation. Unless otherwise provided in
§303.7 or §303.15, a prior conviction or
adjudication of delinquency for
Ethnic Intimidation is scored under §303.7 based upon the
grade of the Ethnic
Intimidation.
(d) Former Pennsylvania offenses.
(1) A prior conviction or adjudication of delinquency
under former Pennsylvania law is scored
as a conviction for the current
equivalent Pennsylvania offense.
(2) When there is no current equivalent Pennsylvania
offense, prior convictions or adjudications of delinquency are scored under §303.7
based on the grade of the offense. When a prior conviction or adjudication of
delinquency was for a felony, but the grade of the felony is unknown, it shall
be treated as a Felony 3. When a prior conviction was for a misdemeanor, but
the grade of the misdemeanor is unknown, it shall be treated as a Misdemeanor
3. When it cannot be determined if the prior conviction was a felony or a
misdemeanor, it shall be treated as a Misdemeanor 3. When a prior conviction
is for a crime which has a summary grade, and the grade of the conviction is
unknown, the prior conviction shall not be counted in the Prior Record Score.
(e) A prior conviction or adjudication of delinquency for
an offense which was misgraded is scored as a
conviction for the current
equivalent Pennsylvania offense.
(f) Out-of-state, federal or foreign offenses.
(1) An out-of-state, federal or foreign conviction or
adjudication of delinquency is scored as a conviction for the current
equivalent Pennsylvania offense.
(2) When there is no current equivalent Pennsylvania
offense, determine the current equivalent Pennsylvania grade of the offense
based on the maximum sentence permitted, and then apply §303.8(d)(2).
(g) Excluded offenses. The following types of offenses
shall not be scored in the Prior Record Score:
(1) Summary offenses, violations of local ordinances,
and dispositions under Pa.R.Crim.P. Rules 175-186 (relating to accelerated
rehabilitative disposition), 35 P.S. §780-117 (relating to probation without
verdict) or 35 P.S. §780-118 (relating to disposition in lieu of trial or
criminal punishment), shall not be used in computing the Prior Record Score.
(2) Any prior conviction which contributed to an
increase in the grade of a subsequent conviction shall not be used in
computing the Prior Record Score.
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§303.9. Guideline sentence
recommendation: general.
(a) Basic sentence recommendations. Guideline sentence
recommendations are based on the Offense Gravity Score and Prior Record Score.
In most cases, the sentence recommendations are found in the Basic Sentencing
Matrix (§303.16). The Basic Sentencing Matrix specifies a range of sentences
(i.e.-standard range) that shall be considered by the court for each combination
of Offense Gravity Score [OGS] and Prior Record Score [PRS].
(b) Deadly Weapon Enhancement sentence recommendations.
If the court determines that an offender possessed a deadly weapon pursuant to
§303.10(a)(1), the court shall instead consider the DWE/Possessed Matrix (§303.17).
If the court determines that an offender used a deadly weapon pursuant to §303.10(a)(2),
the court shall instead consider the DWE/Used Matrix (§303.18). Both enhanced
matrices specify a range of sentences (i.e.-standard range) that shall be
considered by the court for each combination of Offense Gravity Score [OGS] and
Prior Record Score [PRS].
(c) Youth/School Enhancement sentence recommendations.
If the court determines that an offender violated the drug act pursuant to §303.10(b),
12 months shall be added to the lower limit of the standard range of the
applicable sentencing matrix and 36 months shall be added to the upper limit of
the standard range of the applicable sentencing matrix. The range of sentences
(i.e.- standard range) shall be considered by the court for each combination of
Offense Gravity Score [OGS] and Prior Record Score [PRS].
(d) Aggravated and mitigated sentence recommendations.
To determine the aggravated and mitigated sentence recommendations, apply §303.13.
(e) Numeric sentence recommendations. All numbers in
sentence recommendations suggest months of minimum confinement pursuant to 42
Pa.C.S. §9755(b) (partial confinement) and §9756(b) (total confinement).
(f) Alphabetic sentence recommendations. RS in the
sentence recommendation, an abbreviation for Restorative Sanctions, suggests use
of the least restrictive, non-confinement sentencing alternatives described in
42 Pa.C.S. §9753 (determination of guilt without further penalty), §9754
(order of probation) and §9758 (fine), and include §9763 (intermediate
punishment) when limited to restorative sanction programs (see §303.12(a)(5)).
42 Pa.C.S.§9721(c) (mandatory restitution) is also included in RS. No specific
recommendations are provided for periods of supervision or amounts of fines for
these non-confinement sentencing alternatives. RIP in the sentence
recommendation, an abbreviation for Restrictive Intermediate Punishments,
suggests use of Restrictive Intermediate Punishments pursuant to §303.12(a)(4).
(g) When the guideline sentence recommendation exceeds
that permitted by 18 Pa.C.S. §1103 and §1104 (relating to sentence of
imprisonment for felony and misdemeanor) and 42 Pa.C.S. §9755(b) and §9756(b)
(relating to sentence of partial and total confinement) or other applicable
statute setting the maximum term of confinement, then the statutory limit is the
longest guideline sentence recommendation. For the purposes of the guidelines,
the statutory limit is the longest legal minimum sentence, which is one-half the
maximum allowed by law.
(h) Mandatory sentences. The court has no authority to
impose a sentence less than that required by a mandatory minimum provision
established in statute. When the guideline range is lower than that required by
a mandatory sentencing statute, the mandatory minimum requirement supersedes the
sentence recommendation. When the sentence recommendation is higher than that
required by a mandatory sentencing statute, the court shall consider the
guideline sentence recommendation.
(i) Driving Under the Influence. The court shall
consider the sentence recommendations pursuant to this section (§303.9) for an
offender convicted under 75 Pa.C.S. §3731 (Driving Under the Influence of
Alcohol or Controlled Substance). The court may use a qualified Restrictive
Intermediate Punishment pursuant to §303.12(a)(6) to satisfy the mandatory
minimum requirement.
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§303.10. Guideline sentence
recommendations: enhancements.
(a) Deadly Weapon Enhancement.
(1) When the court determines that the offender
possessed a deadly weapon during the commission of the current conviction
offense, the court shall consider the DWE/Possessed Matrix (§303.17). An
offender has possessed a deadly weapon if any of the following were on the
offender's person or within his immediate physical control:
(i) Any firearm, (as defined in 42 Pa.C.S.§9712)
whether loaded or unloaded, or
(ii) Any dangerous weapon (as defined in 18 Pa.C.S.§913),
or
(iii) Any device, implement, or instrumentality
designed as a weapon or capable of producing death or serious bodily injury
where the court determines that the defendant intended to use the weapon to
threaten or injure another individual.
(2) When the court determines that the offender used a
deadly weapon during the commission of the current conviction offense, the
court shall consider the DWE/Used Matrix (§303.18). An offender has used a
deadly weapon if any of the following were employed by the offender in a way
that threatened or injured another individual or in the furtherance of the
crime:
(i) Any firearm, (as defined in 42 Pa.C.S.§9712)
whether loaded or unloaded, or
(ii) Any dangerous weapon (as defined in 18 Pa.C.S.§913),
or
(iii) Any device, implement, or instrumentality
capable of producing death or serious bodily injury.
(3) There shall be no Deadly Weapon Enhancement for the
following offenses:
Possessing Instruments of Crime
Prohibited Offensive Weapons
Possession of Weapon on School Property
Possession of Firearm or Other Dangerous Weapon in Court Facility
Simple Assault (18 Pa.C.S. §2701(a)(2))
Aggravated Assault (18 Pa.C.S. §2702(a)(4))
Violations of the Pennsylvania Uniform Firearms Act
Any other offense for which possession of a deadly weapon is an element of the statutory definition.
(4) The Deadly Weapon Enhancement shall apply to each
conviction offense for which a deadly weapon is possessed or used.
(b) Youth/School Enhancement
(1) When the court determines that the offender either
distributed a controlled substance to a person or persons under the age of 18
in violation of 35 P.S. §780-114, or manufactured, delivered or possessed
with intent to deliver a controlled substance within 1000 feet of a public or
private elementary or secondary school, the court shall consider the range of
sentences described in §303.9(c).
(2) The Youth/School Enhancement only applies to
violations of 35 P.S. §780-113(a)(14) and (a)(30).
(3) The Youth/School Enhancement shall apply to each
violation which meets the criteria above.
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§303.11. Guideline sentence
recommendation: sentencing levels.
(a) Purpose of sentence. In writing the sentencing
guidelines, the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing strives to provide a
benchmark for the judges of Pennsylvania. The sentencing guidelines provide
sanctions proportionate to the severity of the crime and the severity of the
offender's prior conviction record. This establishes a sentencing system with a
primary focus on retribution, but one in which the recommendations allow for the
fulfillment of other sentencing purposes including rehabilitation, deterrence,
and incapacitation. To facilitate consideration of sentencing options consistent
with the intent of the sentencing guidelines, the Commission has established
five sentencing levels. Each level targets certain types of offenders, and
describes ranges of sentencing options available to the court.
(b) Sentencing levels. The sentencing level is based on
the standard range of the sentencing recommendation. Refer to §303.9 to
determine which sentence recommendation (i.e. - Basic, Deadly Weapon Enhancement
or Youth/School Enhancement) applies. The descriptions of the five sentencing
levels are as follows:
(1) Level 1 - Level 1 provides sentence recommendations
for the least serious offenders with no more than one prior misdemeanor
conviction, such that the standard range is limited to Restorative Sanctions
[RS]. The primary purpose of this level is to provide the minimal control
necessary to fulfill court-ordered obligations. The following sentencing
option is available:
Restorative Sanctions (see §303.9(f))
(2) Level 2 - Level 2 provides sentence recommendations
for generally non-violent offenders and those with numerous less serious prior
convictions, such that the standard range requires a county sentence but
permits both incarceration and non-confinement. The standard range is defined
as having an upper limit of less than 12 months and a lower limit of
Restorative Sanctions [RS]. The primary purposes of this level are control
over the offender and restitution to victims. Treatment is recommended for
drug dependent offenders. The following sentencing options are available:
Total confinement in a county facility under a county
sentence (see 61 P.S. §331.17).
Partial confinement in a county facility
Restrictive Intermediate Punishments (see §303.12(a)
for eligibility criteria)
Restorative Sanctions (see §303.9(f))
(3) Level 3 - Level 3 provides sentence recommendations
for serious offenders and those with numerous prior convictions, such that the
standard range requires incarceration or a Restrictive Intermediate Punishment
[RIP], but in all case permits a county sentence. The standard range is
defined as having a lower limit of incarceration of less than 12 months. The
primary purposes of this level are retribution and control over the offender.
If eligible, treatment is recommended for drug dependent offenders in lieu of
incarceration. The following sentencing options are available:
Total confinement in a state facility.
Total confinement in a state facility, with
participation in the State Motivational Boot Camp (see §303.12(b) for
eligibility criteria)
Total confinement in a county facility under a state
or county sentence (see 61 P.S. §331.17).
Partial confinement in a county facility.
Restrictive Intermediate Punishment (see §303.12(a)
for eligibility criteria)
(4) Level 4 - Level 4 provides sentence recommendations
for very serious offenders and those with numerous prior convictions, such
that the standard range requires state incarceration but permits it to be
served in a county facility. The standard range is defined as having a lower
limit of incarceration of greater than 12 months but less than 30 months, but
limited to offenses with an Offense Gravity Score of less than 9. The primary
purposes of the sentencing options at this level are punishment and
incapacitation. However, it is recognized that certain offenders at this level
are permitted to serve a sentence of total confinement in a county facility,
and some non-violent offenders may benefit from drug and alcohol treatment.
The following sentencing options are available:
Total confinement in a state facility.
Total confinement in a state facility, with
participation in the State Motivational Boot Camp (see §303.12(b) for
eligibility criteria)
Total confinement in a county facility as a state
offender. (see 61 P.S. §331.17).
Restrictive Intermediate Punishment (see §303.12.(a)
for eligibility criteria)
(5) Level 5 - Level 5 provides sentence recommendations
for the most violent offenders and those with major drug convictions, such
that the conviction has an Offense Gravity Score of 9 or greater or the
standard range requires state incarceration in a state facility. The standard
range in such a case is defined as having a lower limit of 30 months or
greater. The primary purposes of the sentencing options at this level are
punishment commensurate with the seriousness of the criminal behavior and
incapacitation to protect the public. The following sentencing options are
available:
Total confinement in a state facility.
Total confinement in a state facility, with
participation in the State Motivational Boot Camp (see §303.12(b) for
eligibility criteria)
§303.12. Guideline sentence
recommendations: sentencing programs.
(a) County intermediate punishment program.
(1) Eligibility.
(i) The following regulations and statutes govern
operation of and eligibility for county intermediate punishment programs:
37 Pa.Code §451.1 et seq.
42 Pa.C.S. §9729, §9763, and §9773.
61 P.S. §1101 - §1114.
204 Pa.Code Chapter 303.
(ii) Sentence recommendations which include an option
of Restrictive Intermediate Punishments for certain offenders are designated
as shaded cells in the guideline matrices.
(2) The county intermediate punishment plan provides a
mechanism to advise the court of the extent and availability of services and
programs authorized in the county. This plan includes information on the
appropriate classification and use of county programs based on
program-specific requirements.
(3) Intermediate punishments classifications. In
order to incorporate intermediate punishment programs into the sentencing
levels, the Commission has classified intermediate punishment programs as
Restrictive Intermediate Punishments (RIP) and restorative sanction programs.
Additionally, specific intermediate punishment programs have been identified
in legislation (42 Pa.C.S. §9763(c)) and regulation (37 Pa. Code §451.52) as
authorized sentences for conviction under 75 Pa.C.S. §3731(e) (relating to
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Controlled Substance); the
Commission has classified these programs as qualified Restrictive Intermediate
Punishments.
(4) Restrictive Intermediate Punishments (RIP).
Restrictive Intermediate Punishments are defined as programs that provide for
strict supervision of the offender. Restrictive Intermediate Punishments may
be imposed only if the court has been granted sentencing authority by the
Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S.§
9729). The county intermediate punishment board is required to develop
assessment and evaluation procedures to assure the appropriate targeting of
offenders. All programs must meet the minimum standards provided in the
Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency regulations [37 Pa.Code
Chapter 451] for intermediate punishments.
(i) Restrictive Intermediate Punishments (RIP) either:
(A) house the offender full or part time; or
(B) significantly restrict the offender's
movement and monitor the offender's compliance with the program(s); or
(C) involve a combination of programs that meet
the standards set forth above.
(ii) An offender under consideration for Restrictive
Intermediate Punishments at Level 4 or Level 3 shall have a diagnostic
assessment of dependency on alcohol or other drugs conducted by one of the
following: the Pennsylvania Department of Health's Office of Drug and
Alcohol Programs (ODAP) or a designee; the county authority on drugs and
alcohol or a designee; or clinical personnel of a facility licensed by the
Office of Drug and Alcohol Programs.
(iii) An offender assessed to be dependent shall be
evaluated for purposes of a treatment recommendation by one of the above
listed assessors. The evaluation shall take into account the level of
motivation of the offender. If sentenced to a Restrictive Intermediate
Punishment, the sentence shall be consistent with the level of care and
length of stay prescribed in the treatment recommendation, regardless of the
standard range sentencing recommendation.
(iv) An offender assessed as not in need of drug or
alcohol treatment may be placed in any approved Restrictive Intermediate
Punishment program. Each day of participation in a Restrictive Intermediate
Punishment program or combination of programs shall be considered the
equivalent of one day of total confinement.
(v)The court may impose a qualified Restrictive
Intermediate Punishment in lieu of incarceration for any conviction under 75
Pa. C.S. §3731 (relating to Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or
Controlled Substance).
(5) Restorative sanction programs. Restorative sanction
programs are the least restrictive, non-confinement intermediate punishments.
Restorative sanction programs are generally used in conjunction with
Restrictive Intermediate Punishments as the level of supervision is reduced,
but may also be used as separate sanctions under any of the non-confinement
sentencing alternatives provided in the statute (see §303.9(f)).
(i) Restorative sanction programs:
(A) are the least restrictive in terms of constraint
of offender's liberties;
(B) do not involve the housing of the offender
(either full or part time); and
(C) focus on restoring the victim to pre-offense
status.
(6) Qualified Restrictive Intermediate Punishments. In
accordance with 37 Pa. Code §451.52 (relating to sentencing restrictions for
driving under the influence convictions), qualified Restrictive Intermediate
Punishment programs may be used to satisfy the mandatory minimum sentencing
requirements of 75 Pa.C.S. §3731.
(i) Qualified Restrictive Intermediate Punishment
programs include:
(A) residential inpatient drug and alcohol programs
or residential rehabilitative center programs; or
(B) house arrest and electronic monitoring
combined with drug and alcohol treatment.
(b) State Motivational Boot Camp .
(1) Eligibility.
(i) The following statute governs operation of and
eligibility for the State Motivational Boot Camp:
61 P.S.§1121 - §1129
(ii) Sentence recommendations which include boot camp
eligible offenders are designated by the letters BC in the cells of the
Basic Sentencing Matrix (§303.16).
(2) The court shall indicate on the offender's
commitment order and the Guideline Sentence Form if the offender is authorized
as eligible for the boot camp program. The Department of Corrections makes the
final determination as to whether the offender will be accepted into the boot
camp program.
§ 303.13. Guideline
sentence recommendations: aggravated and mitigated circumstances.
(a) When the court determines that an aggravating
circumstance(s) is present, it may impose an aggravated sentence as follows:
(1) For the Offense Gravity Scores of 9, 10, 11, 12, 13
and 14, the court may impose a sentence that is up to 12 months longer than
the upper limit of the standard range.
(2) For the Offense Gravity Score of 8, the court may
impose a sentence that is up to 9 months longer than the upper limit of the
standard range.
(3) For the Offense Gravity Scores of 6 and 7, the
court may impose a sentence that is up to 6 months longer than the upper limit
of the standard range.
(4) For the Offense Gravity Scores of 1, 2, 3, 4, and
5, the court may impose a sentence that is up to 3 months longer than the
upper limit of the standard range.
(5) When the standard range is Restorative Sanctions
(RS), the aggravated sentence recommendation is RIP-3.
(b) When the court determines that a mitigating
circumstance(s) is present, it may impose a mitigated sentence as follows:
(1) For the Offense Gravity Scores of 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,
and 14, the court may impose a sentence that is up to 12 months shorter than
the lower limit of the standard range.
(2) For the Offense Gravity Score of 8, the court may
impose a sentence that is up to 9 months shorter than the lower limit of the
standard range.
(3) For the Offense Gravity Scores of 6 and 7, the
court may impose a sentence that is up to 6 months shorter than the lower
limit of the standard range.
(4) For the Offense Gravity Scores of 1, 2, 3, 4, and
5, the court may impose a sentence that is up to 3 months shorter than the
lower limit of the standard range.
(5) When the bottom of the standard range is less
than or equal to 3 months of incarceration, the lower limit of the mitigated
sentence recommendation is Restorative Sanctions (RS).
(6) In no case where a Deadly Weapon Enhancement is
applied may the mitigated sentence recommendation be lower than 3 months.
(c) When the court imposes an aggravated or mitigated
sentence, it shall state the reasons on the record and on the Guideline Sentence
Form, a copy of which is forwarded to the Commission on Sentencing.
§303.14. Guideline sentence
recommendations - fines and restitution.
(a) Fines and restitution.
(1) Fines and restitution, as provided by law, may be
added to any guideline sentence.
(2) A fine, within the limits established by law,
shall be considered by the court when the offender is convicted of 35 P.S. §780-113(a)(12),
(14) or (30), and the drug involved is 2.5 or more grams of any of the
following: a controlled substance or counterfeit substance classified in
Schedule I or II and which is a narcotic; phencyclidine, methamphetamine, or
cocaine, including the isomers, salts, compounds, salts of isomers, or
derivatives of phencyclidine,methamphetamine, or cocaine; or is one thousand
pounds or more of marijuana. Such fine shall be of an amount that is at least
sufficient to exhaust the assets utilized in, and the proceeds obtained by the
offender from, the illegal possession, manufacture, or distribution of
controlled substances. Such fine shall not include assets concerning which the
attorney for the Commonwealth has filed a forfeiture petition or concerning
which he has given notice to the court of his intent to file a forfeiture
petition.
(3) Fines and restitution may be utilized as part of
an intermediate punishment sentence or as a non-confinement sentencing
alternative (see Restorative Sanction §303.9(f)).

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