The Supreme Court voted 5-4 yesterday to overture the criminal sentencing guidelines of Washington State. The guidelines put decisions about increased sentences in the hands of judges. The Court ruled that such a decision requires a jury to find proof beyond a reasonable doubt that an increased sentence is appropriate. Federal guidelines operate in a similar way and may now have to be rewritten to limit the judge’s role in sentencing.
S. Court Overturns Sentencing Guidelines
HeadlineJun 25, 2004