                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

PURPOSE (§ 17.1-801)

The General Assembly, to ensure the imposition of appropriate and just criminal
penalties, and to make the most efficient use of correctional resources,
especially for the effective incapacitation of violent criminal offenders, has
determined that it is in the best interest of the Commonwealth to develop,
implement, and revise discretionary sentencing guidelines. The purposes of the
Commission established under this chapter are to assist the judiciary in the
imposition of sentences by establishing a system of discretionary guidelines and
to establish a discretionary sentencing guidelines system which emphasizes
accountability of the offender and of the criminal justice system to the
citizens of the Commonwealth.
		The Commission shall develop discretionary sentencing guidelines to achieve
the goals of certainty, consistency, and adequacy of punishment with due regard
to the seriousness of the offense, the dangerousness of the offender, deterrence
of individuals from committing criminal offenses and the use of alternative
sanctions, where appropriate.

HISTORY: 1994, 2nd Sp. Sess., cc. 1, 2, § 17-233; 1998, c. 872.