Until the 1980s, judges generally had wide discretion in handing down sentences. The systems shift toward punishment brought with it changes in sentencing procedures. State legislatures began adopting sentencing guidelines that legally limited the judges discretion. In the past, some judges imposed sentences that were too lenient. Therefore, sentencing guidelines were developed in an effort to bring uniformity and rationality to sentencing and to curb what was perceived to be the excessive power of judges in matters of sentencing.
