Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission Research Support Project

Introduced in 1980, Minnesota's state sentencing guidelines have served as the foundational framework for all felony sentences in the state, guiding the type and duration of punishment and, critically, acting as a pivotal driver of incarceration rates. In 2022, the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission (MSGC) gained legislative approval for a comprehensive guidelines review.

To support this effort, the Robina Institute will conduct a combination of qualitative and quantitative research, leveraging commission data alongside comparative legal and policy analysis. This research will focus on three key areas: racial and ethnic disparities in imprisonment, the influence of the criminal history score on sentencing outcomes, and the increasing rates of judicial departures from the guidelines. As the review progresses, the MSGC and the Robina Institute team will seek feedback from diverse stakeholders, such as judges, policy makers, and system-impacted individuals which will guide and spotlight additional research areas.

At the review’s conclusion, the MSGC will submit its changes to the guidelines. This review and subsequent guideline changes not only hold the potential to reshape Minnesota's criminal justice system but will also offer a model for other states to emulate or refine.