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.
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.
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.
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.
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.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).
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.