Dorchester County State’s Attorney discusses sentencing guidelines

The Maryland State Commission on Criminal Sentencing Policy has voted to lower sentencing guidelines for non-violent drug cases.

For the most part, the changes generally are a matter of several months less than the current guidelines in variety of categories.

The guidelines aren’t mandatory, but are often used by judges when determining someone’s sentence. Prosecutors use them when creating a plea offers.

Dorchester County State’s Attorney, William H. Jones says the guideline reductions will likely lead to a reduction in sentencing. He’s concerned about calling drug offenses non-violent because he believes they can have a very violent effect on our society.

Jones continues, “Those who would traffic in these substances particularly heroin, opioids, and things that are actually killing people, I think that many people would say that is in fact a violent offense. For that reason, we’re not necessarily pleased with the reduction in the guidelines. We will take that into account when we go to court.”

This vote marks the first time the commission has altered sentencing guidelines since it was created in 1999.