- 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.
-
(May 11, 2020) These data reports compare fiscal year 2020 sentencing statistics for each federal circuit, district, and state to the nation as a whole.
-
(May 3, 2021) Explore the Spring 2021 edition of the Insider Express digital newsletter brought to you by the Office of Education and Sentencing Practice.
-
(May 3, 2021) Complete this new eLearning module to learn how to apply Chapter Eight of the guidelines and determine sentences for organizational defendants.
Learn More -
(April 27, 2021) The preliminary data in this report reflects information received on offenders sentenced during the first quarter of fiscal year 2021 (October 1, 2020 through December 30, 2020).
-
(April 27, 2021) In the latest Commission Chats podcast episode, General Counsel Kathleen Grilli describes the amendment cycle and offers tips on using the guidelines and related products.
-
(April 26, 2021) Case Law Quarterly summarizes select appellate court decisions that involve the guidelines and other aspects of federal sentencing.
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
Upcoming Training EventsVirtual Sentencing Guidelines training is now open to a national audience! Sessions are available on a first come, first served basis to all members of the court family.
-
Resources
Ask the HelpLineThe HelpLine assists judges, probation officers, and practitioners in understanding and applying the guidelines. You can submit your questions electronically or call us directly.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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....
-
Resources
WorksheetsUse these worksheets to help determine the applicable offense level, criminal history score, and guideline range in an individual offender’s case.
-
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”.