- The Commission promulgates guidelines that judges consult when sentencing federal offenders. When the guidelines are amended, a subsequent Guidelines Manual is published.
- In this section, you will find the Commission’s comprehensive archive of yearly amendments and Guidelines Manuals dating back to 1987.
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(January 4, 2021) The preliminary data in this report reflects information received on offenders sentenced through the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020 (October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020). This data is preliminary as the Commission collects, analyzes, and reports additional cases throughout the fiscal year.
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(January 4, 2021) The Commission has expanded and released its collection of criminal history data. This new dataset provides additional information on prior offenses committed, the points assigned to those convictions under the guidelines, and the types of offenses that did not receive points.
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This report examines the influence of the guidelines range on average sentences imposed after the Supreme Court’s 2005 decision in United States v. Booker.
Full Report (December 14, 2020)
Infographic (January 4, 2021) -
Using these new quick reference guides, learn the three principles of relevant conduct (often referred to as the "cornerstone" of guideline application).
Relevant Conduct
All Quick Reference Guides -
Explore the fall 2020 edition of ESP's Insider Express digital newsletter for the latest from the Commission.
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The Commission continues to release updated research and data on implementation of the First Step Act of 2018.
Year One Implementation Report
Report-At-A-Glance Infographic
Section 404 Resentencing Data
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.
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Resources
Quick FactsQuick 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.
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Resources
Research NotesResearch Notes give background information on the technical details of the Commission’s data collection process and provide answers to common data analysis questions.
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Resources
Decision TreesHow 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.
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Resources
PrimersWant 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....
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Resources
In-District Training RequestsIf you are a district training coordinator, judge, CJA panel rep, or federal defender, contact us for a customized training session.
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Resources
WorksheetsUse these worksheets to help determine the applicable offense level, criminal history score, and guideline range in an individual offender’s case.
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Resources
Glossary of Sentencing TermsUnclear about some of the terms found in the Guidelines Manual? This glossary covers everything from “Abuse of Trust” to “Zone D”.