Basic Relevant Conduct

Summary

(Updated May 2020)  This eLearning module introduces the Relevant Conduct analysis used to apply the federal sentencing guidelines emphasizing real-world scenarios to illustrate the application of the analysis.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

  • Explain why the Commission adopted a relevant conduct analysis;
  • Describe how relevant conduct impacts application of Chapters Two and Three of the federal sentencing guidelines;
  • Determine which acts of the defendant are considered relevant conduct in an offense;
  • Determine if acts of others in a jointly undertaken criminal activity can be attributed to the defendant as relevant conduct in an offense;
  • Explain when "expanded" relevant conduct applies in application of the federal sentencing guidelines; and
  • Apply the relevant conduct analysis to real-world scenarios.

In order to complete the exercises in this course, you will need a copy of the Guidelines Manual.