Explanation of Sentencing Guidelines
The sentencing guidelines list a range of the minimum number of months in jail or prison a defendant should normally receive. The “minimum” sentence is the time a defendant must serve before becoming eligible for parole. The guidelines do not deal with the maximum part of a sentence.
The “Offense Gravity Score” (OGS) ranges from 1 to 14, with 14 being at the top row in the chart for the most serious offenses. The chart lists some examples of crimes for each OGS.
Once you know the OGS of the crime in question, you can find the guideline sentence in the proper column for your prior record score (PRS). It is impossible to determine your PRS without having a detailed record of all your prior offenses, often including juvenile offenses, but generally a defendant gets one point for every two misdemeanors, and either 1,2,3, or 4 points for each felony.
The prior record score can be from “0” to “5” or “RFEL” or “REVOC”. RFEL is for defendants with a score of a least 6 and certain multiple felonies. REVOC is for defendants with a score of at least 9 if part of that score is from two or more 4 point felonies.
The column at the extreme right, headed “AGG/MIT”, lists the number of months the judge may add or subtract from the standard range sentence if there are aggravating (worse) or mitigating (better) factors about this crime or your life. If the aggravating or mitigating factors are serious enough, the judge may even sentence outside the AGG/MIT ranges, either below or above.
“BC” in a box means that the judge could recommend you for boot camp in the state prison sentence if he gives the guideline sentence.
“RS” means restorative sanctions, which basically means probation plus paying for any damages.