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.
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.
Unclear about some of the terms found in the Guidelines Manual? This glossary covers everything from “Abuse of Trust” to “Zone D”.
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.
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.…
Use these worksheets to help determine the applicable offense level, criminal history score, and guideline range in an individual offender’s case.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Amendments
This document contains preliminary unofficial text of final amendments to the federal sentencing guidelines (effective November 1, 2024).
Press Release
Commission votes to promulgate amendments to the federal sentencing guidelines.
Event
A public meeting of the Commission was scheduled for Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at 1:30 pm (ET) pursuant to Rule 3.2 of the Rules of Practice and Procedure of the United States Sentencing Commission.
The meeting was streamed live.