Victims' Rights and Federal Sentencing
This 23-minute video aims to help crime victims exercise their right to participate in the sentencing process. It features key information about the sentencing process and identifies courtroom participants, explains legal terminology, and demonstrates how victims benefit from participating. A crime victim also shares his personal story about speaking at sentencing, and a probation officer explains how victims can affect the sentencing outcome. Read the accompanying press release.
Department of Justice Resources:
Office for Victims of Crime
CrimeVictims.Gov
Find Help and Information for Crime Victims
Attorney General Guidelines for Victim & Witness Assistance
Office of the United States Attorneys
Victims’ Rights Ombudsman
Other Federal Government Resources:
FBI Victim Assistance
Bureau of Indian Affairs
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives
Drug Enforcement Administration
Federal Trade Commission
Other Resources:
National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC)
National Crime Victim Law Institute (NCVLI)
Maryland Crime Victims’ Resource Center (MCVRC)
National Alliance of Victims' Rights Attorneys
National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA)
Public Data Briefing Videos
Training Videos
Sentencing and Guidelines
Advanced Guideline Issues
USSC Events
Public Hearings and Meetings
- March 2018: Public Hearing on Proposed Amendments (Synthetic Drugs, First Offenders/Alternatives to Incarceration)
- February 2018: Public Hearing on Proposed Amendments (Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, Tribal Issues, Acceptance of Responsibility)
- January 2018: Public Meeting to Vote to Propose Amendments
- December 2017: Public Hearing on Fentanyl, Fentanyl Analogues, and Synthetic Cannabinoids
- October 2017: Public Hearing on Synthetic Cathinones
- August 2017: Public Meeting to Finalize Policy Priorities
- April 2017: Public Hearing on Alternatives to Incarceration Court Programs and Synthetic Drugs
- December 2016: Public Meeting to Vote on Publishing Proposed Amendments to the Federal Sentencing Guidelines
- August 2016: Public Meeting to finalize policy priorities for the upcoming amendment cycle ending May 1, 2017
- July 2016: Public Hearing on Tribal Issues Report
- April 2016: Public Meeting to Vote to Promulgate Amendments
- March 2016: Public Hearing on Proposed Amendments to Immigration, Animal Fighting and Other Guidelines
- February 2016: Public Hearing on Compassionate Release and Supervision
- January 2016: Public Meeting to Vote on Publishing Proposed Amendments
- November 2015: Public Hearing on Proposed Amendments to the Federal Sentencing Guidelines
- August 2015: Public Meeting to Vote to Finalize Priorities for 2015-2016 Amendment Cycle
- April 2015: Public Meeting to Vote to Promulgate Amendments
- March 2015: Public Hearing on Proposed 2015 Amendments
- January 2015: Public Meeting with Data Presentation on Economic Crime
- July 2014: Public Meeting to Vote on Retroactive Application of 2014 Drug Amendment
- June 2014: Public Hearing on Retroactive Application of 2014 Drug Amendment
- April 2014: Public Meeting to Vote on Promulgating Proposed Amendments
- March 2014: Public Hearing on Proposed Amendments
- January 2014: Public Meeting with Data Presentation on Drug Guidelines
Other Videos
USSC Updates
- January 2015: USSC Live! A Look Ahead at 2015
- August 2014: USSC Live! Retroactivity, Alternatives, & Online Data
- March 2014: USSC Live! Federal Sentencing Update
- January 2014: USSC Live! Criminal History Webcast
- July 2013: Proposed Guideline Amendments & Other Sentencing Issues
- May 2013: Recent Congressional Reports
- November 2011: Retroactive 2011 Crack Cocaine Amendment