Table 14:  Reasons Given for Departures Above the Guidelines
Departing Above
Reasons Given for . . . the Guidelines
No reasons given   3424
Other/misc. departure   370
Plea agreement   325
Offense more onerous/significant than usual   104
Danger to society   79
Multiple current convictions   65
Repeat criminal pattern/habitual offender/career criminal 59
Offender on parole/probation at time of arrest 50
Offender shows no remorse   47
Offender is drug abuser/drug dependent   46
Victim particularly vulnerable due to youth   39
Offender is an alcoholic   35
Possession of weapon   32
Offender inflicted extreme physical cruelty on victim 31
Offender is a poor candidate for rehabilitation 29
Failed on probation/community supervision in past 27
Multiple victims   27
Offender inflicted extreme mental cruelty on victim 25
Offender injured victim   24
  A lesser sentence would depreciate the seriousness of the crime 23
  Offender did not cooperate with police/proscecution 22
  Guideline sentences are inappropriate   20
  Victim in care of/trust of/confidence of offender 18
  Long prior adult felony record not reflected in guidelines 14
  Offender is mentally unstable/insane   14
  Sentenced under mandatory law on other charges 12
  Long prior juvenile record   11
  Offender attempted/threatened to injure victim 10
  Special Calendar Room Program   10
  Long prior adult misdemeanor record not reflected in guidelines 8
  Offender on bench warrant   8
  Recommendation of the court staff/PSI   6
  Victim particularly vulnerable due to old age 6
  Drug Court   5
  Offender has received an ARD in the past   5
  Offender has been previously incarcerated 4
  Offender has prior arrests which did not result in convictions 4
Offender is unemployed   4
Offender is young   4
  Offender was escapee at time of offense   4
  Violent prior adult felony record not reflected in guidelines 4
  Recommendation of the defense attorney   3
  Victim particularly vulnerable due to sex (Female) 3
  Waiver Court   3
  Guideline sentences are too lenient   2
  Intent of justice   2
  Offender is drug dependent/needs treatment 2
  Offender on bail for prior charge   2
  Offense committed to gratify pleasure or for excitement 2
  Recommendation of the prosecution   2
  Victim was public official/law enforcement agent 2
  Violent prior juvenile record   2