Robert Kraft, Prostitution & Misdemeanor Sentence Guidelines

Recently, New England Patriots owner, Robert Kraft, was charged with the illegal solicitation of prostitution in Florida.  While, according to the new stories, he faces possible jail time, this is extremely unlikely.  While some may believe that Kraft will receive some special deal reserved for billionaires, the truth is that even “Joe Average” would receive some type of special diversion program such as Pennsylvania’s Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program or Philadelphia’s Accelerated Misdemeanor Program (AMP) for this type of non-violent offenses.  New Jersey has similar type of programs such as its Conditional Dismissal or the State’s Pre-Trial Intervention Program   Read my article on these programs to learn more about them.  I also discuss sentencing in all of my free books!

 

Pennsylvania vs. New Jersey – Solicitation of Prostitution

 

Kraft is charged with a misdemeanor offense in Florida.  In Pennsylvania solicitation of prostitute is a misdemeanor of the second degree and a disorderly person offense in New Jersey.  While the maximum sentence for this offense in Pennsylvania is  2 years in prison or probation, the sentencing guidelines for someone with no prior criminal history would be restorative sanctions (probation) to 1 month in county jail.  This is based on the offense gravity score of a 3 and prior record score of 0.  While I’m not familiar with Florida law, nor am I licensed in that State, the punishments for these types of low level non-violent offenses do not differ greatly.  New Jersey for example imposes a maximum sentence of up to six (6) months in jail and up to a $1,000 for a first offense.  If the offense, however, is committed in a motor vehicle, a person also faces a license suspension upon conviction.  Again, however, like Pennsylvania, jail is very unlikely and a diversion program disposition is much more probable.  

 

Pennsylvania Sentencing Guidelines – Sentencing Matrix

A common question that we receive at our law firm is what is the worst case scenario or the max penalty.  While our focus is getting charges dropped or downgraded, this is still a good question.  Even if you are convicted, however, there are sentencing guidelines and still a lot that your attorney can do to help your case.   

 

While some people may believe that a judge randomly picks a sentence following a plea or a trial, Pennsylvania, like most states, maintains sentencing guidelines based on offenses and a person’s prior criminal history. The Pennsylvania sentencing matrix is a table which judges utilize prior to sentencing a criminal defendant. While a judge isn’t bound by sentencing guidelines, most will give sentences within those guidelines to avoid an improper sentence appellate issue.

The sentencing matrix is divided into a horizontal and vertical axis. The vertical axis is based on the offense gravity score (OGS) of a crime and the horizontal axis is based on a criminal defendant’s prior record score (PRS). With regards to gun or firearm crimes for example, the OGS varies from as high as a 10 to as low as a 2 for certain misdemeanor firearm offenses. Violations of Section 6105 can range from as high as a 10 to as low as a 4. Violations of Section 6106 can range from as high as a 9 to as low as a 3. Violations of 6110.2 can vary from a 10 to a 9.

The range of the OGS depends on the circumstances surrounding a person’s arrest and whether or not the gun was loaded at the time of that arrest. The higher the OGS, the more of a severe sentence a criminal defendant faces following a conviction. For example, the guidelines for a first time offender convicted of a gun crime with an OGS of 10 are 22-36 months and 12-24 months for an OGS of 9. A gun crime with an OGS of 3 however faces restorative sanctions to 1 month in jail which more than likely means probation.

The guidelines increase from that point and a person with a prior felony or even a misdemeanor conviction in some cases faces a higher criminal penalty. For example, a person with a gun conviction with an OGS of 10 and a prior conviction for another gun crime or a prior possession with the intent to deliver could face 42 to 54 months instead of 22 to 36 months for that same offense.

 

Max Penalties & Narcotics 

 

There are sentencing guidelines for every type of crime in Pennsylvania including simple possession and possession with the intent to deliver (PWID) drugs or narcotics.  As you can see Pennsylvania doesn’t treat all drugs the same.  Keep in mind that the schedule of drug will usually dictate the severity of criminal consequences

  

Drug	1st Offense Max Incarceration	1st Offense Max Fine	2nd Offense Max Incarceration	2nd Offense Max Fine
Simple Possession  (less than 30 grams of marijuana)	30 days	$500	Same	Same
Simple Possession  (all other drugs)	1 year	$5,500	3 years	$25,000
Possession with Intent to Deliver	——————-	—————–	——————–	———————
heroin, oxycodone, methadone, LSD	15 years	$250,000	30 years	$50,000
cocaine, crack, PCP, methamphetamine	10 years	$100,000	20 years	$200,000
marijuana, hashish	5 years	$15,000	10 years	$30,000
alprazolam (Xanax)	3 years	$10,000	6 years	$20,000

 

If you are facing criminal charges in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, never assume the worst and always understand that there is a lot your criminal defense lawyer can do even if the evidence against you is overwhelming!