4.  Sentencing.

a) Authorization from the State Prosecutor is required when seeking a prison sentence above 20 years in a case other than Murder First Degree, Murder Second Degree, Manslaughter, Sex Offenses, and Child Abuse.

b) In routine misdemeanor or felony cases, Deputies are encouraged to recommend sentences at the lower end of the SENTAC Guideline range, unless aggravating circumstances outweigh mitigating circumstances. This policy does not apply to homicides, child abuse, violent felonies, sexual offenses, firearms offenses, or violations of the public trust.

c) For Guideline sentences of 0 to 12 months, Deputies should ask for probation or home confinement, when appropriate.

d) Studies show that most probation violations occur within the first year, and additional years are unnecessary with lower level offenses. Deputies will keep probation recommendations to a one-year maximum unless the conviction is for a violent felony or top-tier drug crimes.

e) Over 90% of defendants sentenced to prison will reenter society, and it is critical that we recommend sentences that will increase the likelihood of successful reentry. Deputies will fashion sentencing recommendations to account for the individual circumstances of the case, including the victim's need for justice and recompense, as well as the defendant's needs for rehabilitation and reintegration back to society.

f) Deputies will consider restorative justice processes that will help victims heal while also impressing upon the defendant the negative impact of his or her actions on the victim and society.