The First Step Act of 2018 was signed into law on Dec. 21, 2018. The Commission published two documents describing the implementation and impact of the new law:
Overview & FAQs (published Jan. 18, 2019)
Prison & Sentencing Impact Analysis (published Jan. 18, 2019)
(Published January 8, 2019) This report examines variations in the sentencing practices of federal district judges in 30 major cities across the country since the Supreme Court’s 2005 decision in United States v. Booker.
(Published January 2, 2019) This publication examines the application and impact of mandatory minimum penalties specific to federal sex offenses (specifically, sexual abuse and child pornography offenses). It is the sixth and final release in the Commission's series of publications on mandatory minimum penalties.
At the December 13, 2018 public meeting, the Commission proposed amendments to the federal sentencing guidelines. A public comment period will remain open through February 19, 2019, with a reply comment period running through March 15, 2019.
News Release
Federal Register Notice of Proposed 2019 Amendments
"Reader-Friendly" Version of Proposed Amendments
New podcast episodes of Sentencing Practice Talk are now available. The series is designed to aid those involved in federal sentencing in the proper application of the guidelines and relevant case law. The first few episodes cover frequently asked questions on the HelpLine.
Work through real-world scenarios that illustrate the 2018 amendment to the Illegal Reentry guideline (USSG §2L1.2).
Learn more
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.
(January 2019) Learn more about the 1,043 offenders sentenced in FY17 for a conviction under 18 U.S.C. § 1028A, the aggravated identity theft statute carrying a mandatory minimum penalty.
(December 2018) This analysis assesses the potential prison and sentencing impact of the First Step Act.
(October 2018) This data report contains preliminary quarterly data on cases in which the offender was sentenced during the first three quarters of fiscal year 2018.
The Commission received comment on proposed priorities for the 2018 - 2019 amendment year (ending May 1, 2019).
The Commission has proposed priorities for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2019 and has requested public comment.
Public comment should be received by the Commission on or before August 10, 2018.
The Commission has finalized priorities for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2019.
U.S. Sentencing Commission adopts 2018-2019 policy priorities.
A public meeting of the Commission was held on Thursday, August 23, 2018 at 11:00 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. A video recording is available.
The Commission has proposed amendments to the guidelines and has requested public comment.
Public comment will be accepted through February 19, 2019. Written reply comments will be accepted through March 15, 2019.
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 19, 2019, with a reply period ending March 15, 2019.
"Reader-Friendly" Version of Proposed Amendments
U.S. Sentencing Commission proposes amendments to the federal sentencing guidelines, holds final public meeting of the current commission.
A public meeting of the Commission was held on Thursday, December 13, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. (ET). The meeting was streamed live. A video recording is available.
Agenda:
- Adoption of August 2018 Minutes
- Report from the Chair
- Possible Vote to Publish Proposals for Comment
