Criminal Justice (Sentencing)

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jul 31, 2025

SB 918: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in sentencing, providing for sentences for persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms.

SB 918 sets mandatory minimum prison terms for Pennsylvania residents convicted of illegal firearm possession. First-time offenders face at least 11 months in prison, repeat offenders get a minimum of 5 years for a second conviction, and those with two prior violations face a 15-year minimum. The law requires courts to verify prior convictions before applying these sentences and bars parole until the minimum term is served. It directly affects individuals convicted under Pennsylvania's firearm possession law (18 Pa.C.S. § 6105), particularly those with prior offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandatory minimum sentences for firearm possession increase penalties, restrict judicial discretion, and bar parole - aligning with indicators opposing criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 29, 2025

HB 1508: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in sentencing, providing for sentences for persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms.

HB 1508 would change sentencing guidelines for individuals convicted of possessing firearms while prohibited under Pennsylvania law. It directly affects people with certain criminal convictions or protective orders who are legally barred from owning guns. The bill specifies mandatory minimum sentences for these offenses, modifying current provisions in Pennsylvania's judicial code to establish clearer penalties for firearm possession by prohibited persons.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandatory minimum sentences for prohibited firearm possession increase penalties, aligning with punitive criminal justice approach that restricts defendant rights and expands criminalization.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Sentencing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Sep 9, 2025

HB 1477: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in assault, further providing for the offense of stalking.

HB 1477 increases penalties for repeat stalking offenses in Pennsylvania. It upgrades second or subsequent stalking convictions (or first offenses with prior violent crimes against the same victim, like assault or rape) to a second-degree felony, requiring a minimum 5-year prison sentence and a maximum of 10 years. The bill mandates that courts must consider prior convictions for specific violent crimes when sentencing, with strict procedures for verifying those records. This directly affects individuals convicted of stalking who have prior violent offenses against the same person, altering sentencing outcomes without changing the definition of stalking itself.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory minimum sentences for repeat stalking (5-10 years), upgrades penalties to second-degree felony, and restricts judicial discretion by mandating prior violent crime consideration. Expands criminalization.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Domestic Violence Sentencing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Oct 3, 2025

SB 1021: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in sentencing, providing for sentencing for offenses committed against immigration enforcement.

SB 1021 amends Pennsylvania sentencing guidelines to increase penalties for violent acts targeting immigration enforcement. It creates a sentencing enhancement for two specific scenarios: (1) crimes of violence committed to interfere with immigration enforcement activities, and (2) violent acts causing bodily injury to immigration enforcement personnel. The bill applies to existing offenses under Pennsylvania law that meet these criteria, adding an extra penalty layer within the state's sentencing guidelines. This change directly affects individuals convicted of such violent acts against immigration enforcement officers or personnel.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for violence against immigration enforcement personnel, expanding criminalization and adding sentencing enhancements per bill's explicit language.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationIncreases penalties for violence targeting immigration enforcement personnel, strengthening state enforcement against interference with federal immigration actions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Enforcement

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Oct 8, 2025

HB 1832: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in sentencing, providing for sentencing for offenses committed while wearing mask.

HB 1832 would amend Pennsylvania's sentencing laws to require judges to consider whether a crime was committed while wearing a mask. This applies to individuals convicted of offenses where masks were worn during the commission of the crime. The bill adds mask-wearing as a specific factor for judges to evaluate when determining sentences under Pennsylvania's Title 42 sentencing guidelines. It directly affects sentencing outcomes in Pennsylvania courts for such cases.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill adds mask-wearing as a sentencing factor, potentially increasing penalties for masked crimes, expanding criminalization under sentencing guidelines.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 27, 2026

HB 888: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses), 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) and 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in authorized disposition of offenders, further providing for sentence for murder, murder of unborn child and murder of law enforcement officer; in arson, criminal mischief and other property destruction, further providing for the offense of arson and related offenses; in jurisdiction of appellate courts, further providing for direct appeals from courts of common pleas; in post-trial matters, further providing for postconviction DNA testing and for disposition and appeal; in sentencing, further providing for sentencing procedure for murder of the first degree; and, in execution procedure and method, repealing provisions relating to issuance of warrant.

HB 888 amends Pennsylvania's criminal sentencing laws, primarily affecting those convicted of specific violent crimes. It mandates life imprisonment without parole for first-degree murder of an unborn child (explicitly excluding the death penalty), while requiring the same sentence for murder of law enforcement officers. The bill also establishes automatic appellate review for death sentences and tightens requirements for DNA testing motions in capital cases, requiring applicants to prove actual innocence through sworn statements. These changes apply to cases under Titles 18, 42, and 61 of Pennsylvania's statutes.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates life without parole for specific violent crimes and restricts DNA testing access in capital cases, increasing mandatory sentences and reducing defendant rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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