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What are federal sentencing guidelines and how do they work?
The federal sentencing guidelines are rules that judges consult when determining sentences for people convicted of federal crimes in the United States. They were created in 1984 with the passage of the Sentencing Reform Act, which established the United States Sentencing Commission, an independent agency tasked with developing the guidelines.
Contents
Background and Purpose
Prior to the guidelines, federal judges had wide discretion in sentencing, which led to vast disparities for similar crimes. Liberal judges tended to give more lenient sentences, while conservative judges often gave harsher punishments. There were also demographic disparities, with minorities often receiving longer sentences than whites.The sentencing guidelines aimed to create uniformity and proportionality in federal sentencing. They established a system where sentences are based primarily on the offense committed and the offender’s criminal history. The guidelines reduce but do not eliminate judicial discretion. Judges can depart from the recommended range if they find aggravating or mitigating factors, but they must explain their reasoning.
How the Guidelines Work
The guidelines provide sentencing ranges based on the offense level and criminal history category of the defendant:
- Offense Level: Determined by the crime committed. The base offense level assigns a point value according to the severity of the crime. Points are added or subtracted based on specific offense characteristics like victim impact, defendant’s role, etc.
- Criminal History Category: Depends on the defendant’s past record of convictions. More extensive records result in higher categories.
The final offense level and criminal history category determine the sentencing range per the guidelines’ sentencing table. For example, an offense level 12 and criminal history category I would have a sentencing range of 10-16 months. Judges pick a specific sentence within the range.
Departures from the Guidelines
Judges can impose sentences outside the guideline range through departures or variances:
- Departures: Judges can depart from the range if they find aggravating or mitigating factors that the guidelines did not adequately consider. However, they must explain the reasoning for the departure.
- Variances: Judges have more discretion in imposing variances. They can hand down sentences outside the guidelines if they feel the range does not match the goals of sentencing like justice, deterrence, rehabilitation, etc.
Despite departures and variances, most sentences still fall within the guidelines. In fiscal year 2020, only 17.6% of sentences were outside the range.
Booker and Advisory Guidelines
When first implemented, the guidelines were mandatory and judges could only depart in rare cases. However, in United States v. Booker (2005), the Supreme Court ruled mandatory guidelines unconstitutional. This made the guidelines “advisory” rather than binding. Under advisory guidelines, judges must still calculate and consider the range, but they have more flexibility to impose non-guideline sentences. Sentencing disparities have increased post-Booker but not to pre-guideline levels.
Impact and Results
Proponents argue the guidelines increased uniformity and reduced unwarranted disparities, fulfilling their original purpose. However, critics contend they are overly harsh, complex, and limit judicial discretion.Studies found black and male defendants receive longer sentences than comparably-situated white and female defendants, even under the guidelines. Mandatory minimums also constrain the guidelines’ ability to reduce disparities. Overall, the guidelines brought structure and transparency to federal sentencing. But debates continue over issues like proportionality, fairness, and balancing judicial discretion with consistency.
Resources
- United States Sentencing Commission Guidelines Manual
- Federal Sentencing: The Basics (USSC report)
- The Effects of Booker on Sentence Disparities Across Districts and Judges (academic article)