Opinion ID: 2303924
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Penalty Question Remains

Text: In Morissette, the United States Supreme Court reasoned that most public safety crimes call for relatively minor penalties and a conviction does not significantly damage an offender's reputation. [54] Section 4176A imposes a maximum fine of $1,150 and a maximum prison sentence of two and a half years. There is no minimum mandatory imprisonment sentence. In eleven other states with analogous statutes, the maximum term of imprisonment ranges from six months to five years. The maximum prison sentence in seven states is one year or less. [55] Two states have maximum sentences of two years. [56] One state other than Delaware has a maximum sentence of two and a half years. [57] The District of Columbia, where negligent homicide is a felony, has a maximum sentence of five years. [58] In Cordrey, the Superior Court held that the penalties for a violation of section 4176A are reasonable under Morissette. That question was not certified to this Court in Hoover's case. Our jurisdiction in this certification proceeding is limited solely to answering the two questions presented. We offer no opinion on whether a sentence of thirty months in prison is a relatively small penalty that would not violate the due process rights of a person who lacked intent to commit a crime, under Morissette. [59]