Sentencing Guidelines

• Jurisdiction: Maryland

V. Sentencing guidelines

Sentencing guidelines are discretionary. Md. Code Ann., Crim. Proc. § 6-211(b). The sentencing judge may follow the sentencing guidelines, but is not required to do so. If the judge does not adhere to the sentencing guidelines, there is no requirement to state on the record the reasons for not adhering to the guidelines. In Teasley v. State, 298 Md. 364, 370 (1984), the Court of Appeals noted that the sentencing "guidelines are not mandatory; instead, they 'complement, rather than...