Sentencing Guidelines Commission

Promotes accountability and equity through evaluating state sentencing policy for both the adult criminal justice system and the juvenile justice system. The Commission also recommends standard sentences for felony offenses, studies sentencing practices across the state, studies the criminal code, and makes recommendations for modification.

Board Websitehttps://sgc.wa.gov/sentencing-guidelines-commission/sgc-members
Policy AreaPublic Safety
Governor Appointments20
Total Board Positions20
Statutory AuthorityRCW 9.94A.860
Public Disclosure Required?No
Senate Confirmation Required?Yes
CompensationTravel expenses
Term Length (years)3
Statutory Term Limits
Member Requirements: The Governor appoints two prosecuting attorneys; two attorneys with particular expertise in defense work; four persons who are superior court judges; one person who is the chief law enforcement officer of a county or city; four members of the public who are not prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges, or law enforcement officers, one of whom is a victim of crime or a crime victims' advocate; one person who is an elected official of a county government, other than a prosecuting attorney or sheriff; one person who is an elected official of a city government; one person who is an administrator of juvenile court services. In making the appointments, the governor shall seek the recommendations of Washington prosecutors in respect to the prosecuting attorney members, of the Washington State Bar Association in respect to the defense attorney members, of the Association of Superior Court Judges in respect to the members who are judges, of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs in respect to the member who is a law enforcement officer, of the Washington State Association of Counties in respect to the member who is a county official, of the Association of Washington Cities in respect to the member who is a city official, of the Office of Crime Victims Advocacy and other organizations of crime victims in respect to the member who is a victim of crime or a crime victims' advocate, and of the Washington Association of Juvenile Court Administrators in respect to the member who is an administrator of juvenile court services. The Governor shall designate the chairperson.