SENATE, No. 1064

By Ms. Walsh, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1064) of Marian Walsh, Robert K. Coughlin, Jo Ann Sprague, Charles E. Shannon and other members of the General Court for legislation to establish sentencing guidelines. The Judiciary.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Seal of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

In the Year Two Thousand and Three.

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH SENTENCING GUIDELINES.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

The General Laws are hereby amended by inserting after chapter 211F the following chapter:-

CHAPTER 211G
SENTENCING GUIDELINES

Section 1. Definitions. The following terms as used in this chapter shall have the following meanings:-

“Adjudication of delinquency,” a determination or finding pursuant to G.L. c. 119 § 58 that a juvenile is a delinquent child.

“Conviction,” a finding or verdict of guilt for a criminal offense.

“Criminal history group,” the classification of an offender’s previous record of criminal convictions or ajudications of delinquency as set forth on the horizontal axis of the sentencing guidelines grid.

“Departure from the guidelines,” a sentence imposed outside the sentencing range contained in the applicable grid cell for the particular offense.

“Governing offense,” the offense having the highest offense seriousness level among multiple offenses arising out of the same criminal conduct.

“Grid cell,” the intersection on the sentencing guidelines grid between the offense seriousness level and the criminal history group.

“Intermediate sanction,” a non-incarcerative sentence, or portion thereof, which includes a level of restriction, such as standard probation, intensive supervision probation, community service, home confinement, and day reporting, and which may be coupled with components, such as residential programming, substance abuse treatment, restitution, continuing education, vocational training, special education, and psychological counseling.

“Mandatory minimum sentence,” the provision of a criminal penalty for a particular offense which specifies the minimum term of incarceration and prohibits suspension of any sentence, placement on file, continuance without a finding, probation, and release on parole until the minimum term of imprisonment has been served.

“Master crime list,” the list in which offenses in Massachusetts currently punishable by a term of imprisonment are ranked for purposes of the sentencing guidelines.

“Offense seriousness levels,” the categories for ranking criminal offenses as set forth in the master crime list and on the vertical axis of the sentencing guidelines grid.

“Same criminal conduct,” any two or more offenses committed during a single criminal incident.

“Sentencing Commission,” the Massachusetts Sentencing Commission as defined in G.L. c. 211E § 1.

“Sentencing event,” an appearance before a court of competent jurisdiction during which sentence is imposed for one or more convictions or adjudications of delinquency.

“Sentencing guidelines,” all provisions set forth in this chapter which direct or guide judges in sentencing.

“Sentencing guidelines grid,” the sentencing matrix, with offenses classified on a vertical axis and criminal history groups classified on a horizontal axis , and which contains a sentencing guidelines range within each grid cell.

“Sentencing guidelines range,” the range of any sentence, including the range of intermediate sanctions, which may be imposed in each grid cell without constituting a departure from the sentencing guidelines.

“Split sentence,” a sentence to a house of correction which is suspended in part and includes a specified period of incarceration followed by a specified period of probation or intermediate sanction or both.

“Staircased offense,” a criminal offense which is ranked in more than one offense seriousness level on the basis of the existence of a specified factor.

“Statutory minimum sentence,” the provision of a criminal penalty for a particular offense which does not require the imposition of incarceration, but specifies the minimum term of incarceration, when incarceration is imposed.

Section 2. Sentencing Guidelines Grid. There are established, consistent with the provisions of G.L. c. 211E § 3, sentencing guidelines in the form of a sentencing guidelines grid with offenses classified on the vertical axis according to seriousness and criminal history classified on the horizontal axis according to severity. Within each grid cell there is a sentencing guidelines range, consistent with the provisions of G.L. c. 211E § 3 (a) (3) (C). The sentencing guidelines grid includes three sentencing guidelines zones:- (1) an incarceration zone, where only a sentence to incarceration is within the sentencing guidelines range and a sentence to an intermediate sanction constitutes a departure from the sentencing guidelines; (2) a discretionary zone, where either a sentence to incarceration or a sentence to an intermediate sanction are within the sentencing guidelines range; and, (3) an intermediate sanction zone, where only a sentence to an intermediate sanction is within the sentencing guidelines range and a sentence to incarceration constitutes a departure from the sentencing guidelines. The following sentencing guidelines grid shall be used as a basis for sentencing for convictions of all applicable offenses for which incarceration is a possible sanction under existing statutes, except for those offenses with mandatory minimum sentences listed in § 8 (a) and (b) of this chapter.

Sentencing Guidelines Grid

 

 

 

Criminal History Group

 

 

Offense

A

B

C

D

E

 

Seriousness Level

No/Minor

Record

Moderate

Record

Serious

Record

Violent or

Repetitive

Serious

Violent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9

Life

Life

Life

Life

Life

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8

96 - 144 Mos.

108 - 162 Mos.

120 - 180 Mos.

144 - 216 Mos.

204 - 306 Mos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7

60 - 90 Mos.

68 - 102 Mos.

84 - 126 Mos.

108 - 162 Mos.

160 - 240 Mos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

40 - 60 Mos.

45 - 67 Mos.

50 - 75 Mos.

60 - 90 Mos.

80 - 120 Mos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

12 - 36 Mos.

24 - 36 Mos.

36 - 54 Mos.

48 - 72 Mos.

60 - 90 Mos.

 

 

IS-IV

IS-IV

 

 

 

 

 

IS-III

IS-III

 

 

 

 

 

IS-II

IS-II

 

 

 

 

4

0 - 24 Mos.

3 - 30 Mos.

6 - 30 Mos.

20 - 30 Mos.

24 - 36 Mos.

 

 

IS-IV

IS-IV

IS-IV

 

 

 

 

IS-III

IS-III

IS-III

 

 

 

 

IS-II

IS-II

IS-II

 

 

 

3

0 - 12 Mos.

0 - 15 Mos.

0 - 18 Mos.

0 - 24 Mos.

6 - 24 Mos.

 

 

IS-IV

IS-IV

IS-IV

IS-IV

IS-IV

 

 

IS-III

IS-III

IS-III

IS-III

IS-III

 

 

IS-II

IS-II

IS-II

IS-II

IS-II

 

 

IS-I

IS-I

IS-I

 

 

 

2

 

0 - 6 Mos.

0 - 6 Mos.

0 - 9 Mos.

0 - 12 Mos.

 

 

 

 

 

IS-IV

IS-IV

 

 

IS-III

IS-III

IS-III

IS-III

IS-III

 

 

IS-II

IS-II

IS-II

IS-II

IS-II

 

 

IS-I

IS-I

IS-I

IS-I

IS-I

 

1

 

 

 

0 - 3 Mos.

0 - 6 Mos.

 

 

 

 

 

IS-IV

IS-IV

 

 

 

IS-III

IS-III

IS-III

IS-III

 

 

IS-II

IS-II

IS-II

IS-II

IS-II

 

 

IS-I

IS-I

IS-I

IS-I

IS-I

 

Sentencing Guidelines Zones

 

 

 

        Intermediate Sanctions Levels

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Incarceration Zone

 

 

        IS-IV    24-Hour Restriction

 

 

 

 

 

        IS-III     Daily Accountability

 

 

    Discretionary Zone

 

 

        IS-II      Standard Supervision

 

 

 

 

 

        IS-I       Financial Accountability

 

 

    Intermediate Sanction Zone

 

 

 

 

            Section 3.  Master Crime List.  Offenses which permit incarceration are ranked according to offense seriousness level.  Murder, as defined in G.L. c. 265 § 1, is placed at the highest level of the sentencing guidelines grid and for this offense the sentencing provisions of G.L. c. 265 § 2 apply.  The offense seriousness rankings are set forth in the following master crime list, which contains the following information:-

            (a) “Grid.”  A “YES” in this column denotes application of the sentencing guidelines grid.  A “NO” in this column indicates the sentencing guideline grid is not applicable, and an alternate penalty provision as provided for in this chapter is applicable.

            (b) “Offense seriousness level.”  All offenses on the master crime list are ranked according to seriousness.  For offenses to which the sentencing guidelines grid applies, the offense seriousness level of the governing offense determines the placement of the offender on the vertical axis.

            For all offenses, the offense seriousness level also represents the level to which a prior conviction is to be assigned for purposes of determining the criminal history group.

            (c) “Notes.”  The following notes apply to certain offenses contained in the master crime list:

            (1) “Note A” refers to offenses where the sentencing guidelines range exceeds the statutory maximum sentence in certain grid cells.  In such circumstances, the sentencing guidelines range applies, except that no sentence imposed may exceed the statutory maximum sentence, as provided in § 9 of this chapter.

            (2) “Note B” refers to offenses where the statutory minimum sentence exceeds the sentencing guidelines range in certain grid cells.  In such circumstances, it is not a departure from the sentencing guidelines for a judge to impose a sentence within the sentencing guidelines range, nor is it a departure from the sentencing guidelines for a judge to impose the statutory minimum sentence, as provided in § 8 (e) of this chapter.

            (3) “Note C” refers to offenses with mandatory minimum sentences in violation of G.L. c. 94C.  The sentencing guidelines for these offenses are set forth in §  8 (c) of this chapter.

            (4) “Note D” refers to certain firearms offenses and certain offenses pertaining to operating a motor vehicle or boat under the influence which may have mandatory minimum sentences.  The sentencing guidelines for these offenses are set forth in § 8 (a) and (b) of this chapter.

            (5) “Note E” refers to certain other offenses which have mandatory minimum sentences.  The sentencing guidelines for these offenses are set forth in  § 8 (d) of this chapter.

            (6) “Note F” refers to certain offenses for which a sentence to an intermediate sanction constitutes a departure from the sentencing guidelines.

            (7) “Note G” refers to staircased offenses.  The staircase factors are described in § 4 (a) of this chapter.

            (8) “Note H” refers to offenses for which the criminal history group of the defendant is enhanced as described in § 4 (b) of this chapter.

            (9) “Note I” refers to offenses for which the level is contingent on the level assigned to the underlying substantive offense and is the same as the level assigned to the underlying substantive offense, except that no sentence may exceed the statutory maximum sentence, as provided in § 9 of this chapter.

            (10) “Note J” refers to offenses for which the level is contingent on the level assigned to the underlying substantive offense and is one level lower than the level assigned to the underlying substantive offense, except that no sentence may exceed the statutory maximum sentence, as provided in § 9 of this chapter.

            (d) “Offense Reference” - the Massachusetts General Law reference for a particular offense.

            (e) “Offense Penalty Reference” - the Massachusetts General Law reference for a particular offense penalty provision when  different from the offense reference.

            (f) “Staircase Factor” - a specified factor, beyond the required elements of for an offense, which determines the offense seriousness level.

            (g) The master crime list also incorporates information existing elsewhere in the General Laws.  Any discrepancies between the following items of information reproduced in the master crime list and as they appear in the General Laws are to be resolved in favor of those provisions of the General Laws which set forth the penalties for the particular offense.

            (1) “Offense” - an abbreviated offense description;

            (2) “Penalty Type” - felony or misdemeanor;

            (3) “Mandatory Time” - the mandatory minimum sentence, where applicable;

            (4) “Min H/C” - the statutory minimum sentence to the house of correction, where applicable;

            (5) “Max H/C” - the statutory maximum sentence to the house of correction, where applicable;

            (6) “Min Prison” - the statutory minimum sentence to the state prison, where applicable; and,

            (7) “Max Prison” - the statutory maximum sentence to the state prison where applicable.

Where an offense is not found in the master crime list, the judge shall impose an appropriate sentence, having due regard for the purposes of sentencing set forth in G.L.  c. 211E § 2.  The master crime list follows:-

Grid

Offense Seriousness Level

Notes

Offense Reference

Offense Penalty Reference

Offense

Penalty Type

Staircase Factor

Mand. Time

Min H/C

Max H/C

Min Prison

Max Prison

Yes

1

 

c. 1 § 5

 

BOUNDARY MARK, DAMAGE TO COMMONWEALTH c. 1 § 5

Misd.

 

 

 

6 months

 

 

Yes

2

 

c. 3 § 28A

 

WITNESS FAIL TESTIFY BEFORE GENERAL CT c. 3 § 28A

Misd.

 

 

30 days

1 year

 

 

Yes

1

Note A

c. 5 § 1

 

PREVAIL WAGE, PRINTER FAIL PAY, SUBSQ. OFF. c. 5 § 1

Misd.

 

 

 

3 months

 

 

Yes

2

 

c. 6 § 131F

 

BLIND AID PROGRAM, FALSE STATEMENT TO c. 6 § 131F

Misd.

 

 

 

1 year

 

 

Yes

2

 

c. 6 § 139

c. 6 § 141

BLIND, UNLICENSED SOLICITATION FOR c. 6 § 139

Misd.

 

 

3 months

1 year

 

 

Yes

2

 

c. 6 § 178

 

CORI, DISSEMINATE/SEEK UNLAWFULLY,FALSIFY c. 6 § 178

Misd.

 

 

 

1 year

 

 

Yes

3

 

c. 6 § 178H

 

FAILURE TO REGISTER OR VERIFY REGISRATION INFO BY SEX OFFENDER c. 6 § 178H

Misd.

 

 

 

2 1/2 years

 

 

Yes

4

 

c. 6 § 178H

 

FAILURE TO REGISTER OR VERIFY REGISRATION INFO BY SEX OFFENDER, SUBSQ. OFF. c. 6 § 178H

Misd.

 

 

90 days

2 1/2 years

 

 

Yes

2

 

c. 6 § 178N

 

SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY INFORMATION, ILLEGAL USE OF c. 6 § 178N

Misd.

 

 

 

2 1/2 years

 

 

Yes

2

 

c. 6 § 183

 

IMPROPER USE OR DISSEMINATION OF MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE MERIT RATING BOARD c. 6 § 183

Misd.

 

 

 

1 year

 

 

Yes

1

Note A

c. 6A § 13

 

INSPECTOR, OBSTRUCT DIV OF STANDARDS c. 6A § 13

Misd.

 

 

 

2 months

 

 

Yes

1

Note A

c. 7 § 11

 

A&F INQUIRY, DISTURB, OR WITNESS FAIL TESTIFY AT c. 7 § 11

Misd.

 

 

 

1 month

 

 

Yes

1

Note A

c. 7 § 22 cl. 18 through 19

c. 7 § 22 cl.18

PREVAIL WAGE, MEAT OR CLOTHING SUPPLIER FL PAY, 2ND AND SUBSQ. OFF. c. 7 § 22 cl. 18 through 19

Misd.

 

 

 

3 months

 

 

Yes

2

 

c. 7A § 14

 

COMPTROLLER'S EMPLOYEE, FINANCE VIOL BY c. 7A § 14

Misd.

 

 

 

1 year

 

 

Yes

1

 

c. 9 § 27C

 

ARCHEOLOGICAL VIOLATION c. 9 § 27C

Misd.

 

 

 

6 months

 

 

Yes

2

 

c. 10 § 30

 

LOTTERY TICKET, ALTER/FORGE/COUNTERFEIT/UTTER OR PASS FALSE c. 10 § 30

Felony

 

 

 

2 years

 

3 years

Yes

2

 

c. 10 § 30A

 

STATE LOTTERY LICENSE/JOB, PROMISE c. 10 § 30A

Felony

 

 

 

2 1/2 years

 

3 years

Yes

2

 

c. 10 § 30A

 

STATE LOTTERY EMPLOYEE, IMPERSONATE c. 10 § 30A

Misd.

 

 

 

1 year

 

 

Yes

2

 

c. 10 §§ 38 through 40

c. 10 § 40

BEANO GAME, VIOLATIONS c. 10 §§ 38 through 40

Misd.

 

 

 

1 year

 

 

Yes

2

 

c. 12 § 8F

 

CHARITY FILE FALSE ANNUAL REPORT c. 12 § 8F

Misd.

 

 

 

1 year

 

 

Yes

6

 

c. 12 § 11J

 

CIVIL RIGHTS ORDER VIOLATION WITH INJURY c. 12 § 11J

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes

3

 

c. 12 § 11J

 

CIVIL RIGHTS ORDER VIOLATION c. 12 § 11J

Misd.

 

 

 

2 1/2 years

 

 

Yes

3

 

c. 12 § 11L

 

RESTRAINING ORDER VIOLATION BY UNLICENSED HEALTH OR MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL c. 12 § 11L

Misd.

 

 

 

2 1/2 years

 

 

Yes

1

 

c. 12A § 13

 

INSPECTOR GENERAL CONFIDENTIALITY VIOL c. 12A § 13

Misd.

 

 

 

6 months

 

 

Yes

1

 

c. 12A § 15

 

INSPECTOR GENERAL CONFIDENTIALITY VIOL c. 12A § 15

Misd.

 

 

 

6 months

 

 

Yes

1

Note A

c. 15C § 4(g)

 

MASSACHUSETTS EDUCATIONAL AUTHORITY, CONFLICT OF INTEREST BY MEMBER c. 15C § 4(g)

Misd.

 

 

 

1 month

 

 

Yes

2

 

c. 18 § 5B

 

PUBLIC ASSISTANCE FRAUD c. 18 § 5B

Misd.

 

 

 

1 year

 

 

Yes

1

Note A

c. 18 § 5F

 

PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, FATHER ABANDON FAMILY FOR PURPOSE OF c. 18 § 5F

Misd.

 

 

 

3 months

 

 

Yes

2

 

c. 19 § 19

 

MENTALLY ILL, UNLIC FACILITY FOR,2ND AND SUBSQ. OFF c. 19 § 19

Misd.

 

 

 

2 years

 

 

Yes

2

 

c. 19B § 15(e)

 

MENTALLY RETARDED, UNLIC FACILITY FOR c. 19B § 15(e)

Misd.

 

 

 

2 years

 

 

Yes

4

 

c. 19B § 15(f)

 

MENTALLY RETARDED; VIDEOTAPE, AUDIOTAPE, PHOTOGRAPH, OR INTERVIEW WITHOUT CONSENT c. 19B § 15(f)

Felony

 

 

 

2 1/2 years

 

5 years

Yes

2

 

c. 19C § 11

 

DISABLED ABUSE REPORT, RETALIATE FOR c. 19C § 11

Misd.

 

 

 

1 year

 

 

Yes

3

Note A

c. 21 §§ 1 through 17A,18 through 34A,35 through 55

c. 21 § 42

DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, VIOLATIONS c. 21 §§ 1 through 17A,18 through 34A,35 through 55

Misd.

 

 

 

1 year

 

 

Yes

1

 

c. 21 § 17B

 

SCENIC RIVER/STREAM ORDER VIOLATION c. 21 § 17B

Misd.

 

 

 

6 months

 

 

Yes

2

 

c. 21 § 34C

 

WASTEWATER TREATMENT VIOLATIONS c. 21 § 34C

Misd.

 

 

 

1 year

 

 

Yes

2

 

c. 21A § 13

 

ENVIRONMENTAL CODE, VIOLATE STATE c. 21A § 13

Misd.

 

 

 

1 year

 

 

Yes

2

 

c. 21A § 14

 

DREDGED MATERIAL DISPOSAL VIOLATIONsS c. 21A § 14

Misd.

 

 

 

1 year

 

 

Yes

2

 

c. 21A § 19D

 

HAZARDOUS WASTE CLEANUP, UNLICENSED c. 21A § 19D

Misd.

 

 

 

1 year

 

 

Yes

2

 

c. 21A § 19J

 

HAZARDOUS WASTE VIOLATIONS c. 21A § 19J

Misd.

 

 

 

1 year

 

 

Yes

2

 

c. 21B §§ 7 through 8

c. 21B § 15

COAL MINING CEASE TO WORK ORDER VIOLATION c. 21B §§ 7 through 8

Misd.

 

 

 

1 year

 

 

Yes

2

 

c. 21B § 10

c. 21B § 15

MINE FIRES; HEALTH & SAFETY HAZARDS; SUBSQ. OFF. c. 21B § 10

Misd.

 

 

 

1 year

 

 

Yes

3

 

c. 21C § 5

c. 21C § 10(a)

HAZARDOUS WASTE, COLLECTION, TRANSPORTATION & STORAGE c. 21C § 5

Misd.

 

 

 

2 years

 

 

Yes

4

 

c. 21C § 5

c. 21C § 10(c)

HAZARDOUS WASTE, COLLECTION, TRANSPORTATION & STORAGE c. 21C § 5

Felony

 

 

 

2 1/2 years

 

20 years

Yes

3

 

c. 21C § 7

c. 21C § 10(a)

HAZARDOUS WASTE FACILITY OR LANDFILL VIOLATION c. 21C § 7

Misd.

 

 

 

2 years

 

 

Yes

4

 

c. 21E § 7

c. 21E § 11(c)

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS, RELEASE c. 21E § 7

Felony

 

 

 

2 1/2 years

 

20 years

Yes

3

 

c. 21E § 9

c. 21E § 11(b)

HAZARDOUS WASTE ORDER VIOLATION c. 21E § 9

Misd.

 

 

 

2 years

 

 

Yes

3

 

c. 21E § 11

 

HAZARDOUS WASTE VIOLATION c. 21E § 11

Misd.

 

 

 

2 years

 

 

Yes

1

Note A

c. 21G § 7

c. 21G § 14

WATER, WITHDRAW EXCESS WITHOUT PERMIT c. 21G § 7

Misd.

 

 

 

180 days

 

 

Yes

1

Note A

c. 21G § 14

 

WATER MANAGEMENT VIOLATION c. 21G § 14

Misd.

 

 

 

180 days

 

 

Yes

1

Note A

c. 21G § 17

c. 21G § 14

WATER EMERGENCY VIOLATION c. 21G § 17

Misd.

 

 

 

180 days

 

 

Yes

2

 

c. 21H § 5

c. 21H § 8(a)

INCINERATOR VIOLATIONS c. 21H § 5

Misd.

 

 

 

2 years

 

 

Yes

2

 

c. 21H § 6

c. 21H § 8(a)

ACID GAS SCRUBBERS, VIOLATIONS c. 21H § 6

Misd.

 

 

 

2 years

 

 

Yes

2

 

c. 21H § 8

c. 21H § 8(a)

SOLID WASTE REGULATION VIOLATION c. 21H § 8

Misd.

 

 

 

2 years

 

 

Yes

2

 

c. 21I § 10

c. 21I § 21(b)

TOXIC OR HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE REPORTS, WILLFUL VIO. c. 21I § 10

Misd.

 

 

 

1 year

 

 

Yes

2

 

c. 21I § 11

c. 21I § 21(b)

TOXICS USE REDUCTION PLAN, WILLFUL VIO. c. 21I § 11

Misd.

 

 

 

1 year

 

 

Yes

2

 

c. 21I § 20

c. 21I § 21(b)

TRADE SECRET PROTECTION; VIOLATION c. 21I § 20

Misd.

 

 

 

1 year

 

 

Yes

2

 

c. 21I § 21

 

TOXICS USE VIOLATION c. 21I § 21

Misd.

 

 

 

1 year

 

 

Yes

2

 

c. 21J § 13

 

UNDERGROUND OIL STORAGE TANK VIOLATION c. 21J § 13

Misd.

 

 

 

2 years

 

 

Yes

1

Note A

c. 22C § 54

 

REFUSAL TO AID GOVERNOR IN PERFORMANCE OF HIS DUTIES WITHIN CITY LIMITS c. 22C § 54

Misd.

 

 

 

3 months

 

 

Yes

1

 

c. 23 § 9H

 

EMERGENCY, VIOLATE REGUL FOR STATE OF c. 23 § 9H

Misd.

 

 

 

6 months

 

 

Yes

1

 

c. 28A § 11

c. 28A § 15

DAY CARE, FOSTER CARE, ADOPTION, UNLICENSED c. 28A § 11

Misd.

 

 

 

6 months