Maryland Code, CRIMINAL PROCEDURE 6-208

Ask a legal question, get an answer ASAP!
Click here to chat with a lawyer about your rights.

Sentencing guidelines: A set of rules and principles established by the United States Sentencing Commission that trial judges use to determine the sentence for a convicted defendant. ^{Source: U.S. Courts}

(a) (1) The Commission shall adopt sentencing guidelines that the Commission may change.

(2) The sentencing guidelines shall include sentencing guidelines for ordinary sentences and sentencing guidelines for corrections options.

(b) The sentencing guidelines for ordinary sentences shall call for sentences within the limits set by law and shall set forth:

(1) the range of sentences for crimes of a given degree of seriousness;

(2) a range of increased severity for defendants previously convicted of or adjudicated delinquent for a previous crime; and

(3) a list of aggravating and mitigating circumstances.

(c) The sentencing guidelines for corrections options shall be designed to identify defendants qualified for corrections options programs.