The disposition range is the possible length of the sentence to be imposed. To determine it, the judge uses the person’s prior record level and felony classification, and potential aggravating or mitigating factors to arrive at a range. These are the possible disposition ranges:
Presumptive range. This is the standard sentencing range and will often be imposed unless there are mitigating or aggravating factors.
Aggravated range. Aggravating factors include that the crime was especially atrocious or cruel, that the victim was very young or old, or that the person was hired to commit the crime. If aggravating factors exist, the aggravated range of sentences would be used.
Mitigated range. The judge can consider a number of mitigating factors, such as the person’s financial support of his family, his taking of responsibility for his crime, or his belief that his actions were legal in imposing a sentence in the mitigated range.