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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | September 8, 2020 08:06 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Christopher M. Rabb |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Mandating pre-trial sentence investigation reports |
| While sentencing in Pennsylvania varies with the crime and any mandatory minimums that may be imposed, sentences are usually at the discretion of the overseeing judge. In order to assist the judge in issuing a sentence, a pre-sentence report containing background information on the defendant can be provided. The purpose of these reports is to provide the judge with information specific to the offender’s potential for rehabilitation and community reintegration and allow them to tailor sentences accordingly. Under current law, there is no requirement to provide a pre-sentence investigation report or what is required to be included in one if it is requested. Therefore, I think it is time that we address this issue in order to ensure a fair and equal distribution of justice. I hope to count on your support in reforming our sentencing procedures to better serve our Commonwealth. |
Introduced as HB2898