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S. Court Overturns Sentencing Guidelines

HeadlineJun 25, 2004

The Supreme Court voted 5-4 yesterday to overture the criminal sentencing guidelines of Washington State. The guidelines put decisions about increased sentences in the hands of judges. The Court ruled that such a decision requires a jury to find proof beyond a reasonable doubt that an increased sentence is appropriate. Federal guidelines operate in a similar way and may now have to be rewritten to limit the judge’s role in sentencing.

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