1. Using the NC Felony Punishment Chart:
Explain what the sentence would be for
1. Using the NC Felony Punishment Chart:
Explain what the sentence would be for two individuals convicted of Voluntary Manslaughter (Class D felony) using the provided information:
Suspect 1: No prior record and several mitigating circumstances.
Suspect 2: 18+ points and several aggravating circumstances.
What is the difference in sentencing based on the guidelines? Same exact charge, two completely different situations. Is this where we assume that people are treated unfairly in the criminal justice system and one person is given a different sentence for the same exact crime.
2. Using the NC Misdemeanor Punishment Chart:
Determine what the sentence would be for an individual being found guilty of Simple Possession of Marijuana (Class 3 – NCGS 90-95 (d)(4)) using the provided information:
Suspect 3: No prior convictions
Suspect 4: Four prior convictions
Be sure you a fully answering the questions presented and you read the statutes for the crimes provided. HINT: Sometimes the actual statute dictates what a sentence can and cannot be. I provided the class levels so there was no misunderstanding. Does this explain why individuals can be charged with the same exact crime, yet receive different punishments/sentences?
You can examine the other guidelines here and the NC Sentencing Handbook here if you would like more information.