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(March 13, 2024)   This report provides an analysis of the compassionate release motions filed with the courts and decided during fiscal year 2023.

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(March 5, 2024)  The Sourcebook presents fiscal year 2023 federal sentencing data collected from more than 300,000 documents submitted to the Commission by the federal courts nationwide.  COMING SOON: 2023 Annual Report and IDA updates

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On March 6 and 7, the Commission held a public hearing to receive testimony from invited witnesses on proposed amendments to the federal sentencing guidelines.  This hearing was live-streamed. 

Watch Here
 

(February 25, 2024)  The Commission received public comment on proposed amendments to the federal sentencing guidelines for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2024.  A representative sample of public comment is now available for review.

Public Comment
Federal Register Notice

(February 12, 2024)  The Commission continues to publish supplemental data to inform public comment on recently proposed amendments relating to youthful individuals and simplification. Public comment deadline: February 22, 2024

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(Updated March 12, 2024)   As part of its policy priority work this year, the Commission is compiling information in support of problem-solving court program development.  Access an interactive map, table of program documents, podcast episodes, and a timeline of Commission work at the link below. 

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About the Commission

The U.S. Sentencing Commission, a bipartisan, independent agency located in the judicial branch of government, was created by Congress in 1984 to reduce sentencing disparities and promote transparency and proportionality in sentencing.

The Commission collects, analyzes, and distributes a broad array of information on federal sentencing practices.  The Commission also continuously establishes and amends sentencing guidelines for the judicial branch and assists the other branches in developing effective and efficient crime policy. Learn the basics of federal sentencing.

 

Resources
Amendments In Brief

Amendments In Brief are short summaries, usually one to two pages, of the Commission’s actions in a certain area of sentencing policy and the issue that prompted the guideline amendment.

Resources
Glossary of Sentencing Terms

Unclear about some of the terms found in the Guidelines Manual? This glossary covers everything from “Abuse of Trust” to “Zone D”.

Resources
Ask the HelpLine

The HelpLine assists judges, probation officers, and practitioners in understanding and applying the guidelines. You can submit your questions electronically or call us directly.

Resources
Decision Trees

How do the guidelines apply in a case with multiple counts? How do you score criminal history convictions? Follow the decision trees to answer these questions.

Resources
Primers

Want to learn more about relevant statutes, case law and guidelines on a specific topic? Discover our primers that focus on topics ranging from drug trafficking to criminal history to supervised release.…

Resources
Worksheets

Use these worksheets to help determine the applicable offense level, criminal history score, and guideline range in an individual offender’s case.

Resources
Quick Facts

Quick Facts publications give readers basic facts about a single area of federal crime in an easy-to-read, two-page format. The Commission releases new Quick Facts periodically.

Resources
Research Notes

Research Notes give background information on the technical details of the Commission’s data collection process and provide answers to common data analysis questions. 

2023-2024 Amendment Cycle

  • Public Comment

     

     

    The Commission received comment on proposed priorities for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2024.

  • Federal Register Notice

     

    The Commission seeks comment on proposed priorities for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2024.
     

    Public comment should be received by the Commission on or before August 1, 2023. 

     

     

  • Public Comment

     

     

    The Commission received comment on proposed priorities for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2023.

  • Press Release

     

    The Commission proposed policy priorities for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2023. 

  • Federal Register Notice

     

    The Commission seeks comment on proposed priorities for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2023.
     

    Public comment should be received by the Commission on or before October 17, 2022. 

     

     

  • Press Release

     

    The Commission regains a quorum for the first time in three years, enabling it to amend federal sentencing guidelines, issue sentencing policy.

  • Event

    As part of its 2024 policy priority work, the Commission hosted a roundtable discussion on the Categorical Approach and Career Offender Guidelines, inviting several experts including judges, practitioners, and academics.

  • Web page

     

    This page provides a collection of publicly available resources on First Step Act Earned Time Credits.  It will be updated periodically as the Commission continues its policy priority work in this area.

  • Web page

     

    This page provides a collection of publicly available resources on problem-solving courts, including diversion, alternatives-to-incarceration, and reentry programs. It will be updated periodically as the Commission continues its policy priority work in this area.

  • Press Release

     

    Commissioners voted at a public meeting to allow delayed retroactive application of Amendment 821 relating to criminal history. The Commission also approved new policy priorities for the amendment year ending May 1, 2024.

  • Federal Register Notice

     

    The Commission published final priorities for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2024.
     

    Federal Register Notice

     

     

  • Event

     

    A public meeting of the Commission was held on Thursday, August 24, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. (EDT) pursuant to Rule 3.2 of the Rules of Practice and Procedure of the United States Sentencing Commission. 

     

    A video recording and transcript are available. 

  • Federal Register Notice

     

    The Commission published final priorities for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2023.

    Federal Register Notice

     

  • Press Release

     

    The Commission finalized policy priorities for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2023. 

  • Event

     

    A public meeting of the Commission was held on Friday, October 28, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. (ET) pursuant to Rule 3.2 of the Rules of Practice and Procedure of the United States Sentencing Commission. 

     

    The meeting was streamed live. 

  • Event

     

    A public hearing was held on Wednesday, March 6 and Thursday, March 7, 2024 to receive testimony on proposed amendments to the federal sentencing guidelines.

     

    This event was live-streamed. Check back for a transcript. 

  • Public Comment

     

     

    The Commission received comment on proposed amendments for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2024.

  • Video

     

    Commission staff prepared a data supplement to inform public comment on a proposal relating to simplification.

  • Video

     

    Commission staff prepared data to inform public comment on a proposal relating to youthful individuals.

  • Federal Register Notice

     

    The Commission published proposed amendments for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2024.
     

    Federal Register Notice

     

  • Amendments

     

    This document contains unofficial text of proposed amendments to the sentencing guidelines provided only for the convenience of the user in the preparation of public comment.   

    The proposed amendments and issues for comment are subject to a public comment period running through February 22, 2024.

     

    "Reader-Friendly" Version of Proposed Amendments

  • Press Release

     

    The Commission published proposed amendments and issues for comment for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2024. 

  • Event

     

    A public meeting of the Commission was held on Thursday, December 14, 2023 at 2:00 pm (ET) pursuant to Rule 3.2 of the Rules of Practice and Procedure.

    A transcript and video recording are available. 

  • Public Comment

     

     

    The Commission received comment on proposed amendments for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2023.

  • Resource

    An overview of the Commission's work on Criminal History during the 2022-2023 amendment year.

  • Resource

    An overview of the Commission's work on "Compassionate Release" during the 2022-2023 amendment year.

  • Amendments

     

    This document contains preliminary unofficial text of final amendments to the federal sentencing guidelines, which was submitted to Congress on April 27, 2023 (effective November 1, 2023).
     

    "Reader-Friendly"

    Official Text

    Amendments In Brief
     

  • Resource

    An overview of the Commission's work on Career Offender during the 2022-2023 amendment year.

  • Resource

    An overview of the Commission's work on Safety Valve during the 2022-2023 amendment year.

  • Resource

    An overview of the Commission's work on Acceptance of Responsibility during the 2022-2023 amendment year.

  • Resource

    An overview of the Commission's work on Crime Legislation during the 2022-2023 amendment year.

  • Resource

    An overview of the Commission's work on Sexual Abuse offenses during the 2022-2023 amendment year.

  • Resource

    An overview of the Commission's work on Fake Pills during the 2022-2023 amendment year.