Pennsylvania § 9720.8 Sentencing for offenses involving domestic violence in the presence of a minor

Pennsylvania Statutes

§ 9720.8 — Sentencing for offenses involving domestic violence in the presence of a minor

Pennsylvania § 9720.8

JurisdictionPennsylvania

Title 42JUDICIARY AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURE

PartPART VIII

Ch. 97SENTENCING

Subch.SENTENCING AUTHORITY

This text of Pennsylvania § 9720.8 (Sentencing for offenses involving domestic violence in the presence of a minor) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Pennsylvania primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 9720.8 (2026).

Text

(a)Sentencing enhancement.--The Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing, in accordance with section 2154 (relating to adoption of guidelines for sentencing), shall provide for a sentence enhancement within its guidelines for an offense under 18 Pa.C.S. § 2701 (relating to simple assault) or 2702 (relating to aggravated assault), specifying variations from the range of sentences applicable based on such aggravating circumstances as the assault was committed against a family or household member and the defendant knew the crime was witnessed, either through sight or sound, by a minor who is also a family or household member of the defendant or the victim.

(b)Definitions.--As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless

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(a) Sentencing enhancement.--The Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing, in accordance with section 2154 (relating to adoption of guidelines for sentencing), shall provide for a sentence enhancement within its guidelines for an offense under 18 Pa.C.S. § 2701 (relating to simple assault) or 2702 (relating to aggravated assault), specifying variations from the range of sentences applicable based on such aggravating circumstances as the assault was committed against a family or household member and the defendant knew the crime was witnessed, either through sight or sound, by a minor who is also a family or household member of the defendant or the victim.

(b) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Family or household member."The term shall have the same meaning as "family or household members" under 23 Pa.C.S. § 6102 (relating to definitions).