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(November 15, 2024)  The Commission has extended the application period for First Circuit voting membership to the Practitioners Advisory Group. Send your letter of interest and résumé to PubAffairs@ussc.gov by December 2, 2024.

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Amendments to the federal sentencing guidelines take effect on November 1. The 2024 Guidelines Manual is available online in various formats. Learn about all of this year's amendments in the new Sentencing Practice Talk podcast miniseries.

2024 Guidelines Manual
Podcast Miniseries on 2024 Amendments

(October 31)   This Sentencing Practice Talk miniseries breaks down each of the 2024 amendments to the federal sentencing guidelines, effective on November 1.

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(October 17)   This report provides an analysis of the compassionate release motions filed with the courts and decided through the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024.

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(October 17)   These data reports track motions for a reduced sentence under retroactive application of the 2023 Criminal History Amendment (i.e., Amendment 821 effective November 1, 2023).

Retroactivity Report on Part A of Amendment
Retroactivity Report on Part B of Amendment
Amendment 821 In Brief

(September 30)   New Quick Facts are available on mandatory minimum penalties and various offense types. Quick Facts publications give readers basic facts about a single area of federal crime. 

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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
Bureau of Prisons Resources

These interactive resources provide an overview of certain BOP programs for policymakers and other stakeholders interested in learning how RDAP and the earned time credits system are administered.

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
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.

2024-2025 Amendment Cycle

  • Public Comment

     

     

    The Commission received comment on proposed priorities for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2025.

  • Federal Register Notice

     

    The Commission seeks comment on proposed priorities for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2025.
     

    Public comment should be received by the Commission on or before July 15, 2024. 

     

     

  • Press Release

     

    Embracing the public’s ideas to improve sentencing, Commission unanimously adopts policy priorities.

  • Federal Register Notice

     

    The Commission published final priorities for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2025.
     

    Federal Register Notice

     

     

  • Event

     

    A public meeting of the Commission was held on Thursday, August 8, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. (EDT) pursuant to Rule 3.2 of the Rules of Practice and Procedure of the United States Sentencing Commission. This meeting was livestreamed.