Relevant Conduct

Think it’s the same thing to plead to one bank robbery as to five because “it’s all relevant conduct”? Think again! Confused about when the “special instruction” applies in sex offenses? You’re not alone. Relevant conduct is a term of art under the guidelines, one of the guidelines’ foundational principles, and understanding it is the key to understanding a defendant’s sentencing liability. Come and learn the rules governing, and the limitations on, the information courts may consider when determining the sentencing guideline range for federal felonies and Class A misdemeanors. Learn how relevant conduct governs the application of specific offense characteristics and the scoring of criminal history in specific types of offenses, including crimes against the person.

The following quick reference materials cover the principles of relevant conduct.