News and Information

  • April 15, 2013:  The MSCCSP released a new version of the Maryland Sentencing Guidelines Manual (MSGM).  A detailed review of the updates to the MSGM is available in the latest edition of the Guidelines E-News. 
  • April 15, 2013:  An updated version of the Maryland Automated Guidelines System was released for immediate use in the Montgomery County Circuit Court.  MAGS 2.0 addresses issues identified by MAGS users during the initial MAGS pilot period and provides additional enhancements recommended by the MSCCSP. 
  • April 1, 2013:  The MSCCSP revised the guidelines offense table to reflect: (1) the addition of Affray to the list of offenses under Disturbing the Peace, Disorderly Conduct and Related Crimes; and (2) minor updates to the table, including updated CJIS codes.
  • January 30, 2013:  The MSCCSP released its 2012 annual report which details the activities of the Commission over the past year and provides an overview of circuit court sentencing practices for fiscal year 2012. 
  • January 25, 2013:  The MSCCSP submitted proposed amendments to the sentencing guidelines that were published in the January 25, 2013 issue of the Maryland Register. 
  • December 11, 2012:  The MSCCSP held its annual public comments hearing on Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at 6:15pm in the Judiciary Committee Hearing Room at the House Office Building in Annapolis, MD.     
  • November 1, 2012:  The MSCCSP revised the Guidelines Offense Table to reflect new and amended offenses passed during the 2012 Legislative Session.  Additionally, the MSCCSP released a revised Sentencing Guidelines Worksheet and an updated Maryland Sentencing Guidelines Manual, which includes revisions to the computation of the Prior Adult Criminal Record regarding medical marijuana convictions.  The November 2012 Guidelines E-News provides a complete review of all the updates.  
  • August 10, 2012:  The MSCCSP submitted proposed amendments to the sentencing guidelines that were published in the August 10, 2012 issue of the Maryland Register.  Public comments on the proposed amendments were accepted through September 10, 2012. 
  • May 8, 2012:  The Maryland Automated Guidelines System (MAGS) pilot project began in the Montgomery County Circuit Court on May 8, 2012.  For more information on the MAGS application, please visit the MAGS page of the MSCCSP website.  
  • March 1, 2012:  The MSCCSP revised the Guidelines Offense Table to reflect new and amended offenses passed during the 2011 Legislative Session and other minor edits.  The March 1, 2012 edition of the Guidelines E-News provides a review of the updates.  
  • February 10, 2012:  The MSCCSP released its 2011 annual report which details the activities of the Commission over the past year and provides an overview of circuit court sentencing practices for fiscal year 2011. 
  • December 15, 2011:  Governor Martin O'Malley appointed LaMonte E. Cooke as the local correctional facility representative for the MSCCSP for the remainder of a term of four years from July 1, 2011.  Mr. Cooke is the Director of Correctional Services for the Queen Anne's County Department of Corrections. 
  • September 7, 2011:  The Speaker of the Maryland House, Michael E. Busch reappointed Commissioners Curtis S. Anderson and Joseph F. Vallario for another term of four years from July 1, 2011.
  • August 8, 2011:  The Honorable Diane O. Leasure was appointed Chair of the Maryland State Commission on Criminal Sentencing Policy (MSCCSP) by Governor Martin O'Malley.  The Governor also reappointed Commissioners James Anthenelli, Marcus Brown, Richard Finci, and Bernard Foster for a term of four years from July 1, 2011.
  • June 1, 2011:  The MSCCSP revised the Guidelines Offense Table to reflect: (1) the addition of oxycodone and methadone to the list of drugs provided as examples under CDS distribution with maximum penalty 20Y and seriousness category IIIB; (2) the addition of buprenorphine to the list of drugs provided as examples under CDS distribution with maximum penalty 5Y and seriousness category IV; and (3) minor edits to the table, including updated CJIS codes. Click HERE for a review of the updates. 
  • December 20, 2010:  The MSCCSP updated the Maryland Sentencing Guidelines Manual to reference two recent Maryland Court of Appeals decisions.  Click HERE for a review of the update.
  • August 2-4, 2009: The MSCCSP hosted the 2009 annual conference of the National Association of Sentencing Commissions (NASC). The conference was held August 2-4, 2009 in Baltimore at the Renaissance Harborplace Hotel. Please visit the conference website to view the agenda, download copies of the speakers' presentations, and see photos from the conference.