CRIMINAL/SENTENCING: Provides relative to sentencing guidelines (OR SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 128 allows Louisiana courts to deviate from standard sentencing ranges for certain offenses when two conditions are met: the offense carries a mandatory minimum sentence, and significant aggravating or mitigating circumstances exist that distinguish the case from typical situations. It directly affects judges, prosecutors, and defendants facing mandatory minimum sentences, requiring courts to explicitly state reasons for deviation based on specific listed factors (e.g., victim vulnerability, offender remorse, or use of weapons). Key provisions mandate that any deviation must be proportional to the offense's seriousness and the offender's history, with detailed written justifications for the court's decision. This bill does not change sentencing ranges but provides a structured framework for judicial discretion in exceptional cases.