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Pearson
appointed to state Sentencing Guidelines Commission
Group is tasked with evaluating adult, juvenile
offender sentencing
Rep.
Kirk Pearson, R-Monroe, today announced his appointment to the
state Sentencing Guidelines Commission by the Washington state Speaker
of the House.
"I am honored to serve on
this commission and help make sure we have sentencing grids and
guidelines that reflect the seriousness of a person's crime and the
number of times he or she has been convicted of a crime," said Pearson,
lead Republican on the House Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Committee. "Our criminal justice system is getting more complex with
growing crimes like gang activity and identity theft, and it's critical
that punishments fit the nature of the crimes."
The 20-member Sentencing
Guidelines Commission meets year-round. The group's statutory
requirements are to
evaluate
and monitor adult and juvenile sentencing policies and practices and
recommend modifications to the governor and the Legislature.
The group also serves as a clearinghouse and information center
on adult and juvenile sentencing.
Background:
In 1981, the Washington
State Legislature enacted the Sentencing Reform Act, which established
the Sentencing Guidelines Commission and directed it to recommend to the
Legislature a determinate sentencing system for adult felonies. The
principal goal of the new sentencing guidelines system was to ensure
that offenders who commit similar crimes and have similar criminal
histories receive equivalent sentences. Sentences were to be determined
by the seriousness of the offense and by the criminal record of the
offender.
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For more information, contact:
Bobbi Cussins, Public Information Officer:
(360) 786-7252
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