What are sentencing guidelines designed to do?

Sentencing guidelines are primarily designed to create uniform policies for sentencing across different offenses. These guidelines aim to promote fairness and consistency in sentencing by limiting discretion and providing judges with a framework to determine appropriate sentencing ranges based on various factors, such as the severity of the crime and the defendant's criminal history.

By establishing these standardized frameworks, the guidelines help to minimize disparities in sentencing outcomes. For instance, without uniform guidelines, similar offenses could receive vastly different sentences based on the judge’s personal beliefs or the jurisdiction in which the sentence is imposed. This can lead to perceptions of injustice and inequalities in the criminal justice system.

The other options may touch on related aspects of sentencing but do not capture the primary purpose of sentencing guidelines as effectively. While minimum sentences for certain felonies or maximum penalties for specific crimes might exist within the broader structure of criminal law, the guidelines are specifically focused on creating a systematic approach to sentencing that enhances consistency across various cases. Additionally, controlling the length of trials is more related to procedural efficiency rather than the objectives of sentencing itself.