Lapsing in the 8th Edition Sentencing Guidelines – Policy Changes and Practical Implications
This one-hour session is designed to discuss the concept of lapsing within the 8th Edition Sentencing Guidelines (effective January 1, 2024). Participants will gain a policy-level understanding of how prior convictions are treated over time in the sentencing guidelines, the rationale behind expanding previous lapsing provisions (juvenile adjudications) and including lapsing for adult convictions, and the impact on sentencing recommendations for the courts consideration. This session will also offer a practical perspective on how lapsing interacts with Prior Record Score calculations and the broader goals of sentencing proportionality in the Commonwealth.