Criminal Defense Lawyers

Rhode Island Federal Sentencing Guidelines

The Rhode Island Federal Sentencing Guidelines: What You Need to Know

If you or a loved one is facing federal criminal charges in Rhode Island, it’s crucial to understand how the federal sentencing guidelines work. While the guidelines are complex, having a basic grasp of the key concepts can help you navigate this challenging process. In this article, we’ll break down what you need to know about the Rhode Island federal sentencing guidelines in a straightforward, easy-to-understand way.

What are the Federal Sentencing Guidelines?

The Federal Sentencing Guidelines are rules that set out a uniform sentencing policy for federal courts across the country. The guidelines were created by the United States Sentencing Commission in 1987 to increase consistency in federal sentencing.1The guidelines provide recommended sentencing ranges for different categories of federal crimes and help judges determine the appropriate punishment in each case. The guidelines take into account various factors, such as:

• The seriousness of the offense
• The defendant’s criminal history
• Aggravating or mitigating circumstances

It’s important to note that while federal judges must consider the guidelines, they are not required to follow them exactly. In 2005, the Supreme Court ruled in United States v. Booker that the guidelines are advisory, not mandatory.1 This means judges have more discretion to impose a sentence above or below the recommended range, as long as they explain their reasoning.

How Do the Guidelines Work?

Under the guidelines, each federal offense is assigned a base offense level, which is a number that reflects the seriousness of the crime. More serious crimes have higher base offense levels.1The base offense level can then be increased or decreased based on specific offense characteristics, such as:

• The amount of drugs involved in a drug trafficking case
• The amount of loss in a fraud case
• Whether a gun was used in the commission of the crime
• The defendant’s role in the offense (i.e. leader, organizer, minimal participant)

After determining the offense level, the judge considers the defendant‘s criminal history category. There are six criminal history categories, ranging from I (little or no criminal history) to VI (significant criminal history).1The judge uses a sentencing table to find the recommended sentencing range, which is based on the combination of the total offense level and criminal history category. The table has 43 offense levels on the vertical axis and 6 criminal history categories on the horizontal axis. The intersection of the offense level and criminal history category shows the guideline range in months of imprisonment.6

For example, let’s say a defendant is convicted of bank robbery, which has a base offense level of 20. The offense level is increased by 2 because a gun was used, for a total offense level of 22. The defendant has 3 prior convictions, placing him in criminal history category III. Looking at the sentencing table, the recommended range would be 51-63 months in prison.

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Zones of the Sentencing Table

The sentencing table is divided into four zones: A, B, C, and D. The zone determines the type of sentence the judge can impose.6

• Zone A (offense levels 1-8): Probation is authorized. Prison is not required.
• Zone B (offense levels 9-11): Probation and some form of confinement (home detention, community confinement, or intermittent confinement) are authorized as long as the confinement portion is at least one month.
• Zone C (offense levels 12-13): At least half the minimum term must be served in prison. The rest can be served in home detention, community confinement, or intermittent confinement.
• Zone D (offense levels 14 and higher): The minimum term must be served in prison.

Departures and Variances

In some cases, the judge may depart from the guideline range and impose a sentence that is higher or lower than the recommended range. This is known as a “departure.”1There are two types of departures:

1. Upward departures (above the guideline range)
2. Downward departures (below the guideline range)

Departures are allowed only in certain limited circumstances, such as:

• The case involves aggravating or mitigating factors not adequately considered by the guidelines
• The defendant provided substantial assistance to the government in investigating or prosecuting another person

If the judge departs from the guidelines, they must state their reasons for doing so in writing.1

The judge may also impose a sentence outside the guideline range based on the factors set forth in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a). This is known as a “variance.” The § 3553(a) factors include:

• The nature and circumstances of the offense
• The history and characteristics of the defendant
• The need for the sentence to reflect the seriousness of the offense, promote respect for the law, provide just punishment, afford adequate deterrence, protect the public, and provide the defendant with needed training, care, or treatment
• The kinds of sentences available
• The sentencing guidelines and policy statements
• The need to avoid unwarranted sentencing disparities
• The need to provide restitution to victims

Specific Offenses

Let’s look at how the guidelines apply to some common federal offenses prosecuted in Rhode Island.

Drug Trafficking

The guidelines for drug trafficking offenses are based primarily on the type and quantity of drugs involved.3 The drug quantity table in the guidelines assigns different offense levels to different drug amounts.For example, trafficking 100-199 grams of heroin has a base offense level of 24, while trafficking 1-2.9 kilograms of cocaine has a base offense level of 26.3Certain aggravating factors can increase the offense level, such as:

• Possession of a gun
• Use of violence
• Distributing drugs near a school or involving a minor
• Importing drugs from another country

On the other hand, mitigating factors can decrease the offense level, such as:

• Minimal or minor role in the offense
• Acceptance of responsibility (pleading guilty)
• Meeting the “safety valve” criteria for first-time, nonviolent offenders

Here’s an example of how the guidelines would apply in a drug case:

John is convicted of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams of cocaine. His base offense level is 24. The offense level is increased by 2 because a gun was found in his car. John has one prior drug conviction, placing him in criminal history category II. Based on the sentencing table, John’s guideline range is 70-87 months in prison.

Fraud and White Collar Crimes

For fraud and other economic crimes, the primary factor in determining the offense level is the amount of loss.1 The guidelines have a loss table that specifies offense level increases based on the loss amount.For example, a loss of more than $6,500 adds 2 levels, while a loss of more than $150,000 adds 10 levels.1 So a defendant convicted of a $200,000 fraud would have a base offense level of 7, plus 10 levels for the loss amount, for a total of 17.Other factors that can affect the offense level in fraud cases include:

• The number of victims
• Sophisticated means used to commit the offense
• Abuse of trust or use of a special skill
• Deriving more than $1 million in gross receipts from a financial institution

For example:

Jane, an accountant, is convicted of embezzling $500,000 from her employer over several years. Her base offense level is 7. Because the loss was more than $250,000 but less than $550,000, 12 levels are added. Two more levels are added for abuse of trust. Jane has no criminal history, so she is in criminal history category I. Her guideline range is 37-46 months in prison.

Firearms Offenses

The guidelines for firearms offenses depend on the specific crime, such as:

• Unlawful possession of a firearm
• Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime or crime of violence
• Unlawful sale or transfer of a firearm
• Possession of a stolen firearm
• Possession of a firearm by a prohibited person (such as a felon)

The base offense level for firearms offenses ranges from 6 to 26, depending on the crime.1 The offense level can be increased based on factors such as:

• The number of firearms involved
• Whether the firearm was stolen or had an altered serial number
• The defendant’s criminal history
• Whether the defendant used or possessed the firearm in connection with another felony offense

For example:

Bob, a convicted felon, is caught with a stolen handgun and a small amount of marijuana. His base offense level for being a felon in possession of a firearm is 20. Two levels are added because the gun was stolen. The marijuana possession does not affect the offense level because it is not a felony. Bob has two prior convictions for assault, placing him in criminal history category III. His guideline range is 51-63 months in prison.

Sentencing Procedure

In Rhode Island federal court, sentencing usually takes place about 13 weeks after a guilty plea or conviction at trial.1 During this time, a probation officer conducts a presentence investigation and prepares a presentence report (PSR).The PSR includes information about the offense, the defendant‘s criminal history and personal background, the guideline calculation, and any grounds for departure.1 The probation officer sends a draft of the PSR to the defense attorney and prosecutor, who have 14 days to file any objections.After investigating the objections, the probation officer prepares a final PSR and submits it to the court, along with an addendum addressing the objections and a confidential sentencing recommendation.1At the sentencing hearing, the judge hears arguments from the defense and prosecution and may hear testimony from witnesses. The judge rules on any remaining objections to the PSR and makes factual findings that affect the guideline calculation.1

The judge then announces the sentence, which may be within the guideline range, above it (upward departure or variance), or below it (downward departure or variance). The judge must explain the reasons for the sentence on the record.1

Hiring an Attorney

If you are facing federal charges in Rhode Island, it is crucial to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney who understands the federal sentencing guidelines inside and out. An attorney can:

• Investigate the case and identify any weaknesses in the prosecution’s evidence
• Negotiate with the prosecutor for a favorable plea deal
• Object to any errors in the presentence report or guideline calculation
• Argue for a downward departure or variance at sentencing
• File an appeal if there are legal grounds to do so

When choosing an attorney, look for someone who has extensive experience handling federal criminal cases, particularly the type of offense you are charged with. You can ask the attorney about their track record, such as how many trials they have done and what kinds of sentences their clients have received.It’s also important to find an attorney you feel comfortable communicating with and who will keep you informed about the status of your case. Many attorneys offer free initial consultations, so you can get a sense of their personality and legal strategy before hiring them.