Criminals are incarcerated with the hope of release and to be rehabilitated. With long and unfair sentencing, not comparable to other states, offenders will come out not rehabilitated, but angry. My husband a first time offender is serving an 8 year sentence for assault on a family member causes bodily injury, been denied parole 3 times. In Texas when up for parole inmates that are violent offenders are placed in the same category as murderers and rapists. Their parole is done on a point system and in one category the assault cases are given the same points as those that have killed. Unfair, I believe so. This is an example for different types of assaults in Montana and its sentencing to compare. Assault Details Misdemeanor assault charges can result from hitting someone or threatening some type of physical attack, according to Montana code 45-5-201. If you’re convicted of this charge, you can expect to spend up to 6 months in county jail or pay a fine of up to $500. In some cases, a judge or jury can rule that you must spend time in jail and pay a fine. Aggravated Assault Details If you assault another person and cause him serious injury under Montana law 45-5-202, you can be tried for felony aggravated assault. Aggravated assault convictions can lead to imprisonment for two to 20 years. If you’re convicted of aggravated assault you can also be fined up to $50,000. Assault with a Weapon Details The felony charge of assault with a weapon doesn’t necessarily require actually using the weapon in the crime, according to Montana code 45-5-213. If you have a weapon, claim to have a weapon or wield what reasonably appears to be a weapon while assaulting someone else, you can still be charged for assault with a weapon under state law. Injuring someone with a weapon during an assault also calls for prosecution under the state code. An assault with a weapon conviction in Montana can lead to a 20-year prison sentence and fines up to $50,000. Domestic Assault Details Domestic assault or violence against a romantic partner or family member is a serious problem in Montana, according to the Montana Department of Justice. State code 45-5-206 includes in the definition of family member all blood relatives, in-laws, step-relatives including those gained through multiple remarriages and adopted relatives. Former romantic partners, regardless of whether a child was conceived during the sexual relationship, are also protected under Montana domestic assault laws. The first domestic assault conviction can lead to imprisonment for 24 hours to one year and a fine ranging from $100 to $1,000. Subsequent convictions include more serious penalties. Someone with a third domestic assault charge, for example, can expect to spend no less than 30 days in jail and pay at least a $500 fine. Extreme cases of multiple domestic assault convictions can lead to incarceration for as long as 5 years and a fine of up to $50,000. This petition is to try and change classifications and to make murderers, rapists, and crimes against children, not be classified along with assault cases.