NCJ Number
109505
Journal
Update Volume: 86-7 Dated: (December 18, 1986) Pages: complete issue
Date Published
1986
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article examines the legislative history and implementation of Maryland laws relating to mandatory sentencing, judicial sentencing guidelines, victim impact statements, and victim services.
Abstract
The Maryland mandatory sentencing law mandates life imprisonment without the possibility of parole upon a person's fourth conviction for a violent crime if that person has served three separate terms of incarceration for three separate convictions for a violent crime. The act authorizing sentencing guidelines specifies that the guidelines may not prescribe a sentence exceeding the maximum sentence provided by law or be used in violation of any mandatory minimum sentence. The law pertaining to victim impact statements requires that the presentence investigation prepared by the Division of Parole and Probation include a victim impact statement if the defendant caused physical, psychological, or economic injury to the victim in committing a felony or caused serious physical injury or death to the victim in committing a misdemeanor. A 1986 Maryland statute establishes guidelines for the treatment of and assistance to crime victims and witnesses. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Act was passed in 1968 to provide government assistance to crime victims and their families. The act established a Criminal Injuries Compensation Board.