SB 1200 - Criminal Sentencing Summary

• Changes Criminal Punishment Code sentencing guidelines from mandatory to recommendatory, making them non-binding recommendations rather than requirements for judges.

• Allows judges to impose sentences above the highest recommended sentence when aggravating circumstances not adequately considered in the code exist, removing the previous limitation to statutory maximums.

• Replaces language of "lowest permissible sentence" with "lowest recommended sentence" throughout the code, reflecting the shift from mandatory to advisory sentencing.

• Revises departure provisions to discourage rather than prohibit sentences below the lowest recommended sentence when mitigating circumstances are present.

• Takes effect July 1, 2017.