Rep. Stephens to Oversee Criminal Sentencing Guidelines

With a recent appointment to the Pennsylvania Sentencing Commission, State Rep. Todd Stephens has returned to his roots of seeking justice.

Stephens (R-151) of Horsham, a freshman legislator and former prosecutor of nearly a decade who worked most recently in the Montgomery County District Attorney’s sex crime unit, said he is looking forward to "ensuring the sentences imposed upon criminals in our Commonwealth deliver justice."

House Speaker Sam Smith appointed Stephens to the seat formerly held by Rep. Doug Reichley who is now a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in Lehigh County.

Stephens' term on the commission ends on Nov. 30. He could be reappointed after that, according to Stephens' Spokesman, David Foster. 

Stephens is seeking a re-election bid in November against opponent , a Democrat, for the

In a press release issued by Stephens' office, Smith cited Stephens' work with the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office and the United States Attorney’s Office as the basis for the appointment.

“Todd’s experience as a state and federal prosecutor will enable him to hit the ground running as a member of the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing,” Smith said. 

The commission establishes the sentencing guidelines judges must follow when sentencing criminal defendants in Pennsylvania. The guidelines were implemented to maintain a consistent and rational statewide sentencing policy throughout the Commonwealth. Judges must explain any reason they went above or below the sentencing guidelines for a particular defendant.   

“The guidelines are far more important than the maximums set by the legislature since few defendants receive the maximum sentence,” Stephens said in the release. “As a prosecutor I worked with the sentencing guidelines every day and am thrilled at the opportunity to help shape them for the entire Commonwealth moving forward.”

In 2008, additional mandates directed the commission to develop re-sentencing guidelines, state and county parole guidelines, and state recommitment ranges. These new responsibilities enhance accountability and transparency and more closely align state and county parole procedures.

The commission also collects data and information to systematically monitor and report on conformity to guidelines, advises and consults on policy and practices, and undertakes research and evaluation to determine the effectiveness of guidelines.