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Arlington Child Pornography Sentencing Guidelines

The Complex History and Uncertain Future of Child Pornography Sentencing Guidelines

Child pornography is one of the most emotionally charged areas of criminal law. The horrific nature of the crime evokes a visceral reaction to severely punish those convicted. However, the sentencing guidelines meant to carry out that punishment have a convoluted history, full of controversy and unintended consequences. This has led to calls for reform from many directions. The future of child pornography sentencing remains unsettled and complex.

The Origins of Harsh Sentencing Guidelines

In the early 1980s, sentences for child pornography possession and distribution tended to be minimal. However, attitudes began to change drastically during the “war on drugs” era. Congress enacted numerous mandatory minimum sentences, structured sentencing guidelines, and sentencing enhancements. The public and politicians believed these tough-on-crime policies would deter crime.Child pornography laws got swept up in this wave. Between 1995 and 2012, Congress directly amended the child pornography sentencing guidelines at least eight times. Each amendment increased the severity of the guidelines. For example, Congress created a 5-year mandatory minimum sentence for transporting, distributing, receiving, or possessing child pornography. Judges had to impose long sentences even for defendants with no prior criminal history.

The Problems Emerge

During the 2000s, federal judges started to express concern over the mounting severity of child pornography sentences. Judge Paul Cassell noted that the sentencing guidelines no longer reflected common sense differences in offender conduct. For example, a first-time offender who downloaded images was treated the same as a repeat offender who produced and distributed images.In 2010, Judge Robert Pratt described the child pornography guidelines as “seriously flawed” and lacking an empirical basis. The arbitrary ratcheting up of sentences led to disproportionate punishment, not changed behavior. Appellate courts also noted the due process issues stemming from effectively mandatory guideline ranges.

The Commission Tries to Respond

The United States Sentencing Commission (USSC) attempted to address these complaints in 2012 by issuing a comprehensive report on child pornography offenses. The report recommended revisions to the sentencing guidelines to account for factors like the content and volume of an offender’s collection. However, Congress did not adopt those recommendations.The Commission also included a statement in the guidelines saying they did not exemplify the Commission’s characteristic institutional role due to Congress‘ direct amendments. This was meant to empower judges to vary from the guidelines. Initially hesitant, within a few years nearly two-thirds of judges issued below-guideline sentences for non-production child pornography offenses. They cited the excessive severity and unsound basis of the guidelines.

Ongoing Problems and the Need for Reform

In a 2021 follow-up report, the Commission laid out continuing issues:

• Disparities – Similar offenders still receive vastly different sentences based on factors like plea agreements and prosecutorial discretion. Judges also exercise their discretion inconsistently.
• Outdated Guidelines – Technological changes since 2012 further undermine the guidelines. Nearly all offenders now use internet-based platforms and devices. Collection sizes have skyrocketed. These factors unduly increase sentences without regard for culpability.
• Inadequate Data – Empirical evidence on recidivism rates and sexual dangerousness remains lacking. It is still unclear what sentence lengths deter future offenses or protect the public.

The report called for focusing sentences on the content, community, and conduct related to the offense rather than rigid enhancements. It also asked Congress for express authority to revise the problematic guidelines. So far, lawmakers have not taken action. But momentum for change continues to build in the judiciary and academia.Many argue the solution lies in avoiding excessive reliance on incarceration altogether. For example, one recent article suggests following the model of reform in drug sentencing. The author proposes relying more on probation, treatment, and monitoring to reduce recidivism and tailor sentences to individual offenders. However, such reforms face an uphill political battle.The controversy around child pornography sentencing has persisted for over a decade. With little legislative action so far, the unsatisfactory status quo remains entrenched, although judges are taking matters into their own hands. The future likely holds further judicial discretion and experimentation unless lawmakers intervene with comprehensive reforms. But finding political will for a measured, evidence-based approach remains challenging when emotions run high. For now, the flawed guidelines limp onward.

Resources

Articles Discussing Reform Options

• Deconstructing the Myth of Careful Study: A Primer on the Flawed Progression of the Child Pornography Guidelines
• Child Pornography Sentencing: The Road Here and the Road Ahead
• How to Fix the Absurdity of Child Porn Sentencing

Sentencing Commission Reports

• 2012 Child Pornography Report
• 2021 Non-Production Child Pornography Report