Section 303.9 - Guideline sentence recommendation: General(a) Basic sentence recommendations. Guideline sentence recommendations are based on the Offense Gravity Score and Prior Record Score. In most cases, the sentence recommendations are found in the Basic Sentencing Matrix (§ 303.16). The Basic Sentencing Matrix specifies a range of sentences (i.e.-standard range) that shall be considered by the court for each combination of Offense Gravity Score (OGS) and Prior Record Score (PRS).(b) Deadly Weapon Enhancement sentence recommendations. If the court determines that an offender possessed a deadly weapon pursuant to § 303.10(a)(1), the court shall instead consider the DWE/Possessed Matrix (§ 303.17). If the court determines that an offender used a deadly weapon pursuant to § 303.10(a)(2), the court shall instead consider the DWE/Used Matrix (§ 303.18). Both enhanced matrices specify a range of sentences (i.e. -standard range) that shall be considered by the court for each combination of Offense Gravity Score (OGS) and Prior Record Score (PRS).(c) Youth/School Enhancement sentence recommendations. If the court determines that an offender violated the drug act pursuant to § 303.10(b), 12 months shall be added to the lower limit of the standard range of the applicable sentencing matrix and 36 months shall be added to the upper limit of the standard range of the applicable sentencing matrix. The range of sentences (i.e.- standard range) shall be considered by the court for each combination of Offense Gravity Score (OGS) and Prior Record Score (PRS).(d) Aggravated and mitigated sentence recommendations. To determine the aggravated and mitigated sentence recommendations, apply § 303.13.(e) Numeric sentence recommendations. All numbers in sentence recommendations suggest months of minimum confinement pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. § 9755(b) (partial confinement) and § 9756(b) (total confinement).(f) Alphabetic sentence recommendations. RS in the sentence recommendation, an abbreviation for Restorative Sanctions, suggests use of the least restrictive, non-confinement sentencing alternatives described in 42 Pa.C.S. § 9753 (determination of guilt without further penalty), § 9754 (order of probation) and § 9758 (fine). 42 Pa.C.S. § 9721(c) (mandatory restitution) is also included in RS. No specific recommendations are provided for periods of supervision for these non-confinement sentencing alternatives. Recommendations related to fines and community service are found at § 303.14(a). RIP in the sentence recommendation, an abbreviation for Restrictive Intermediate Punishments, suggests use of Restrictive Intermediate Punishments pursuant to § 303.12(a)(4).(g) When the guideline sentence recommendation exceeds that permitted by 18 Pa.C.S. § 1103 and § 1104 (relating to sentence of imprisonment for felony and misdemeanor) and 42 Pa.C.S. § 9755(b) and § 9756(b) (relating to sentence of partial and total confinement) or other applicable statute setting the maximum term of confinement, then the statutory limit is the longest guideline sentence recommendation. For the purposes of the guidelines, the statutory limit is the longest legal minimum sentence, which is one-half the maximum allowed by law.(h) Mandatory sentences. The court has no authority to impose a sentence less than that required by a mandatory minimum provision established in statute. When the guideline range is lower than that required by a mandatory sentencing statute, the mandatory minimum requirement supersedes the sentence recommendation. When the sentence recommendation is higher than that required by a mandatory sentencing statute, the court shall consider the guideline sentence recommendation.(i) Mandatory sentences for which county intermediate punishment is authorized. The court shall consider the sentence recommendations pursuant to this section (§ 303.9) for an offender convicted under 30 Pa.C.S. § 5502 (Operating a Watercraft Under the Influence of Alcohol or a Controlled Substance), 75 Pa.C.S. § 1543(b) (Driving While Operating Privilege is Suspended or Revoked, Certain Offenses), 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802 (Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Controlled Substance) or 75 Pa.C.S. § 3808(a)(2) (Illegally Operating a Motor Vehicle Not Equipped with Ignition Interlock). The court may use a Qualified Restrictive Intermediate Punishment pursuant to § 303.12(a)(6) to satisfy the mandatory minimum requirement as provided by law.Amended 2/9/2005, applicable to offenses committed on or after 6/3/2005, 35 Pa.B. 1508. Readopted and amended 9/6/2008, applicable to offenses committed on or after 12/5/2008, 38 Pa.B. 4971.