DOVER, Del. (AP) - House lawmakers have approved a bill giving Delaware judges more discretion in sentencing criminals.
The bill approved Tuesday expands the types of offenses for which a judge could impose concurrent, rather than consecutive, sentences. That means offenders convicted of multiple related crimes could face less prison time than what they would face under current law.
Crimes for which consecutive sentences would no longer be mandatory include manslaughter, second-degree kidnapping, home invasion, first-degree robbery and first-degree carjacking. Arson and burglary offenses also would be eligible for concurrent sentences.
The bill cleared the House on a 30-to-10 vote and now goes to the Senate.
