1995 Guidelines Manual
Chapter Two - PART J - OFFENSES INVOLVING THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE
2J1.1.Contempt
Apply 2X5.1 (Other Offenses).
Commentary
Statutory Provisions: 18 U.S.C. 401, 228. For additional statutory provision(s), see Appendix A (Statutory Index).
Application Notes:
1.Because misconduct constituting contempt varies significantly and the nature of the contemptuous conduct, the circumstances under which the contempt was committed, the effect the misconduct had on the administration of justice, and the need to vindicate the authority of the court are highly context-dependent, the Commission has not provided a specific guideline for this offense. In certain cases, the offense conduct will be sufficiently analogous to 2J1.2 (Obstruction of Justice) for that guideline to apply.
2.For offenses involving the willful failure to pay court-ordered child support (violations of 18 U.S.C. 228), the most analogous guideline is 2B1.1 (Larceny, Embezzlement, and Other Forms of Theft). The amount of the loss is the amount of child support that the defendant willfully failed to pay. Note: This guideline applies to second and subsequent offenses under 18 U.S.C. 228. A first offense under 18 U.S.C. 228 is not covered by this guideline because it is a Class B misdemeanor.
Historical Note: Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective November 1, 1989 (see Appendix C, amendments 170 and 171); November 1, 1993 (see Appendix C, amendment 496).
2J1.2.Obstruction of Justice
(a)Base Offense Level: 12
(b)Specific Offense Characteristics
(1)If the offense involved causing or threatening to cause physical injury to a person, or property damage, in order to obstruct the administration of justice, increase by 8 levels.
(2)If the offense resulted in substantial interference with the administration of justice, increase by 3 levels.
(c)Cross Reference
(1)If the offense involved obstructing the investigation or prosecution of a criminal offense, apply 2X3.1 (Accessory After the Fact) in respect to that criminal offense, if the resulting offense level is greater than that determined above.
Commentary
Statutory Provisions: 18 U.S.C. 1503, 1505-1513, 1516. For additional statutory provision(s), see Appendix A (Statutory Index).
Application Notes:
1."Substantial interference with the administration of justice" includes a premature or improper termination of a felony investigation; an indictment, verdict, or any judicial determination based upon perjury, false testimony, or other false evidence; or the unnecessary expenditure of substantial governmental or court resources.
2.For offenses covered under this section, Chapter Three, Part C (Obstruction) does not apply, unless the defendant obstructed the investigation or trial of the obstruction of justice count.
3.In the event that the defendant is convicted under this section as well as for the underlying offense (i.e., the offense that is the object of the obstruction), see the Commentary to Chapter Three, Part C (Obstruction), and to 3D1.2(c) (Groups of Closely Related Counts).
4.If a weapon was used, or bodily injury or significant property damage resulted, a departure may be warranted. See Chapter Five, Part K (Departures).
5.The inclusion of "property damage" under subsection (b)(1) is designed to address cases in which property damage is caused or threatened as a means of intimidation or retaliation (e.g., to intimidate a witness from, or retaliate against a witness for, testifying). Subsection (b)(1) is not intended to apply, for example, where the offense consisted of destroying a ledger containing an incriminating entry.
Background: This section addresses offenses involving the obstruction of justice generally prosecuted under the above-referenced statutory provisions. Numerous offenses of varying seriousness may constitute obstruction of justice: using threats or force to intimidate or influence a juror or federal officer; obstructing a civil or administrative proceeding; stealing or altering court records; unlawfully intercepting grand jury deliberations; obstructing a criminal investigation; obstructing a state or local investigation of illegal gambling; using intimidation or force to influence testimony, alter evidence, evade legal process, or obstruct the communication of a judge or law enforcement officer; or causing a witness bodily injury or property damage in retaliation for providing testimony, information or evidence in a federal proceeding. The conduct that gives rise to the violation may, therefore, range from a mere threat to an act of extreme violence.
The specific offense characteristics reflect the more serious forms of obstruction. Because the conduct covered by this guideline is frequently part of an effort to avoid punishment for an offense that the defendant has committed or to assist another person to escape punishment for an offense, a cross reference to 2X3.1 (Accessory After the Fact) is provided. Use of this cross reference will provide an enhanced offense level when the obstruction is in respect to a particularly serious offense, whether such offense was committed by the defendant or another person.
Historical Note: Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective November 1, 1989 (see Appendix C, amendments 172-174); November 1, 1991 (see Appendix C, amendment 401).
2J1.3.Perjury or Subornation of Perjury; Bribery of Witness
(a)Base Offense Level: 12
(b)Specific Offense Characteristics
(1)If the offense involved causing or threatening to cause physical injury to a person, or property damage, in order to suborn perjury, increase by 8 levels.
(2)If the perjury, subornation of perjury, or witness bribery resulted in substantial interference with the administration of justice, increase by 3 levels.
(c)Cross Reference
(1)If the offense involved perjury, subornation of perjury, or witness bribery in respect to a criminal offense, apply 2X3.1 (Accessory After the Fact) in respect to that criminal offense, if the resulting offense level is greater than that determined above.
(d)Special Instruction
(1)In the case of counts of perjury or subornation of perjury arising from testimony given, or to be given, in separate proceedings, do not group the counts together under 3D1.2 (Groups of Closely Related Counts).
Commentary
Statutory Provisions: 18 U.S.C. 201 (b)(3), (4), 1621-1623. For additional statutory provision(s), see Appendix A (Statutory Index).
Application Notes:
1."Substantial interference with the administration of justice" includes a premature or improper termination of a felony investigation; an indictment, verdict, or any judicial determination based upon perjury, false testimony, or other false evidence; or the unnecessary expenditure of substantial governmental or court resources.
2.For offenses covered under this section, Chapter Three, Part C (Obstruction) does not apply, unless the defendant obstructed the investigation or trial of the perjury count.
3.In the event that the defendant is convicted under this section as well as for the underlying offense (i.e., the offense with respect to which he committed perjury, subornation of perjury, or witness bribery), see the Commentary to Chapter Three, Part C (Obstruction), and to 3D1.2(c) (Groups of Closely Related Counts).
4.If a weapon was used, or bodily injury or significant property damage resulted, an upward departure may be warranted. See Chapter Five, Part K (Departures).
5."Separate proceedings," as used in subsection (d)(1), includes different proceedings in the same case or matter (e.g., a grand jury proceeding and a trial, or a trial and retrial), and proceedings in separate cases or matters (e.g., separate trials of codefendants), but does not include multiple grand jury proceedings in the same case.
Background: This section applies to perjury, subornation of perjury, and witness bribery, generally prosecuted under the referenced statutes. The guidelines provide a higher penalty for perjury than the pre-guidelines practice estimate of ten months imprisonment. The Commission believes that perjury should be treated similarly to obstruction of justice. Therefore, the same considerations for enhancing a sentence are applied in the specific offense characteristics, and an alternative reference to the guideline for accessory after the fact is made.
Historical Note: Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective November 1, 1989 (see Appendix C, amendment 175); November 1, 1991 (see Appendix C, amendments 401 and 402); November 1, 1993 (see Appendix C, amendment 481).
2J1.4.Impersonation
(a)Base Offense Level: 6
(b)Specific Offense Characteristic
(1)If the impersonation was committed for the purpose of conducting an unlawful arrest, detention, or search, increase by 6 levels.
(c)Cross Reference
(1)If the impersonation was to facilitate another offense, apply the guideline for an attempt to commit that offense, if the resulting offense level is greater than the offense level determined above.
Commentary
Statutory Provisions: 18 U.S.C. 912, 913.
Background: This section applies to impersonation of a federal officer, agent, or employee; and impersonation to conduct an unlawful search or arrest.
Historical Note: Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective November 1, 1989 (see Appendix C, amendment 176).
2J1.5.Failure to Appear by Material Witness
(a)Base Offense Level:
(1)6, if in respect to a felony; or
(2)4, if in respect to a misdemeanor.
(b)Specific Offense Characteristic
(1)If the offense resulted in substantial interference with the administration of justice, increase by 3 levels.
Commentary
Statutory Provision: 18 U.S.C. 3146(b)(2). For additional statutory provision(s), see Appendix A (Statutory Index).
Application Notes:
1."Substantial interference with the administration of justice" includes a premature or improper termination of a felony investigation; an indictment, verdict, or any judicial determination based upon perjury, false testimony, or other false evidence; or the unnecessary expenditure of substantial governmental or court resources.
2.By statute, a term of imprisonment imposed for this offense runs consecutively to any other term of imprisonment imposed. 18 U.S.C. 3146(b)(2).
Background: This section applies to a failure to appear by a material witness. The base offense level incorporates a distinction as to whether the failure to appear was in respect to a felony or misdemeanor prosecution. This offense covered by this section is a misdemeanor for which the maximum period of imprisonment authorized by statute is one year.
Historical Note: Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective November 1, 1989 (see Appendix C, amendment 177); November 1, 1991 (see Appendix C, amendment 401).
2J1.6.Failure to Appear by Defendant
(a)Base Offense Level:
(1)11, if the offense constituted a failure to report for service of sentence; or
(2)6, otherwise.
(b)Specific Offense Characteristics
(1)If the base offense level is determined under subsection (a)(1), and the defendant --
(A)voluntarily surrendered within 96 hours of the time he was originally scheduled to report, decrease by 5 levels; or
(B)was ordered to report to a community corrections center, community treatment center, "halfway house," or similar facility, and subdivision (A) above does not apply, decrease by 2 levels.
Provided, however, that this reduction shall not apply if the defendant, while away from the facility, committed any federal, state, or local offense punishable by a term of imprisonment of one year or more.
(2)If the base offense level is determined under subsection (a)(2), and the underlying offense is --
(A)punishable by death or imprisonment for a term of fifteen years or more, increase by 9 levels; or
(B)punishable by a term of imprisonment of five years or more, but less than fifteen years, increase by 6 levels; or
(C)a felony punishable by a term of imprisonment of less than five years, increase by 3 levels.
Commentary
Statutory Provision: 18 U.S.C. 3146(b)(1).
Application Notes:
1."Underlying offense" means the offense in respect to which the defendant failed to appear.
2.For offenses covered under this section, Chapter Three, Part C (Obstruction) does not apply, unless the defendant obstructed the investigation or trial of the failure to appear count.
3.In the case of a failure to appear for service of sentence, any term of imprisonment imposed on the failure to appear count is to be imposed consecutively to any term of imprisonment imposed for the underlying offense. See 5G1.3(a). The guideline range for the failure to appear count is to be determined independently and the grouping rules of 3D1.2-3D1.5 do not apply.
Otherwise, in the case of a conviction on both the underlying offense and the failure to appear, the failure to appear is treated under 3C1.1 (Obstructing or Impeding the Administration of Justice) as an obstruction of the underlying offense; and the failure to appear count and the count(s) for the underlying offense are grouped together under 3D1.2(c). Note that although 18 U.S.C. 3146(b)(2) does not require a sentence of imprisonment on a failure to appear count, it does require that any sentence of imprisonment on a failure to appear count be imposed consecutively to any other sentence of imprisonment. Therefore, in such cases, the combined sentence must be constructed to provide a "total punishment" that satisfies the requirements both of 5G1.2 (Sentencing on Multiple Counts of Conviction) and 18 U.S.C. 3146(b)(2). For example, where the combined applicable guideline range for both counts is 30-37 months and the court determines a "total punishment" of 36 months is appropriate, a sentence of thirty months for the underlying offense plus a consecutive six months sentence for the failure to appear count would satisfy these requirements.
4.In some cases, the defendant may be sentenced on the underlying offense (the offense in respect to which the defendant failed to appear) before being sentenced on the failure to appear offense. In such cases, criminal history points for the sentence imposed on the underlying offense are to be counted in determining the guideline range on the failure to appear offense only where the offense level is determined under subsection (a)(1) (i.e., where the offense constituted a failure to report for service of sentence).
Background: This section applies to a failure to appear by a defendant who was released pending trial, sentencing, appeal, or surrender for service of sentence. Where the base offense level is determined under subsection (a)(2), the offense level increases in relation to the statutory maximum of the underlying offense.
Historical Note: Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective November 1, 1990 (see Appendix C, amendment 329); November 1, 1991 (see Appendix C, amendment 403).
2J1.7.Commission of Offense While on Release
If an enhancement under 18 U.S.C. 3147 applies, add 3 levels to the offense level for the offense committed while on release as if this section were a specific offense characteristic contained in the offense guideline for the offense committed while on release.
Commentary
Statutory Provision: 18 U.S.C. 3147.
Application Notes:
1.Because 18 U.S.C. 3147 is an enhancement provision, rather than an offense, this section provides a specific offense characteristic to increase the offense level for the offense committed while on release.
2.Under 18 U.S.C. 3147, a sentence of imprisonment must be imposed in addition to the sentence for the underlying offense, and the sentence of imprisonment imposed under 18 U.S.C. 3147 must run consecutively to any other sentence of imprisonment. Therefore, the court, in order to comply with the statute, should divide the sentence on the judgment form between the sentence attributable to the underlying offense and the sentence attributable to the enhancement. The court will have to ensure that the "total punishment" (i.e., the sentence for the offense committed while on release plus the sentence enhancement under 18 U.S.C. 3147) is in accord with the guideline range for the offense committed while on release, as adjusted by the enhancement in this section. For example, if the applicable adjusted guideline range is 30-37 months and the court determines "total punishment" of 36 months is appropriate, a sentence of 30 months for the underlying offense plus 6 months under 18 U.S.C. 3147 would satisfy this requirement.
Background: An enhancement under 18 U.S.C. 3147 may be imposed only after sufficient notice to the defendant by the government or the court, and applies only in the case of a conviction for a federal offense that is committed while on release on another federal charge.
Legislative history indicates that the mandatory nature of the penalties required by 18 U.S.C. 3147 was to be eliminated upon the implementation of the sentencing guidelines. "Section 213(h) [renumbered as 200(g) in the Crime Control Act of 1984] amends the new provision in title I of this Act relating to consecutive enhanced penalties for committing an offense on release (new 18 U.S.C. 3147) by eliminating the mandatory nature of the penalties in favor of utilizing sentencing guidelines." (Senate Report 98-225 at 186). Not all of the phraseology relating to the requirement of a mandatory sentence, however, was actually deleted from the statute. Consequently, it appears that the court is required to impose a consecutive sentence of imprisonment under this provision, but there is no requirement as to any minimum term. This guideline is drafted to enable the court to determine and implement a combined "total punishment" consistent with the overall structure of the guidelines, while at the same time complying with the statutory requirement. Guideline provisions that prohibit the grouping of counts of conviction requiring consecutive sentences (e.g., the introductory paragraph of 3D1.2; 5G1.2(a)) do not apply to this section because 18 U.S.C. 3147 is an enhancement, not a count of conviction.
Historical Note: Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective January 15, 1988 (see Appendix C, amendment 32); November 1, 1989 (see Appendix C, amendment 178); November 1, 1991 (see Appendix C, amendment 431).
2J1.8. [Deleted]
Historical Note: Section 2J1.8 (Bribery of Witness), effective November 1, 1987, amended effective January 15, 1988 (see Appendix C, amendment 33), November 1, 1989 (see Appendix C, amendment 179), and November 1, 1991 (see Appendix C, amendment 401), was deleted by consolidation with 2J1.3 effective November 1, 1993 (see Appendix C, amendment 481).
2J1.9.Payment to Witness
(a)Base Offense Level: 6
(b)Specific Offense Characteristic
(1)If the payment was made or offered for refusing to testify or for the witness absenting himself to avoid testifying, increase by 4 levels.
Commentary
Statutory Provisions: 18 U.S.C. 201(c)(2), (3).
Application Notes:
1.For offenses covered under this section, Chapter Three, Part C (Obstruction) does not apply unless the defendant obstructed the investigation or trial of the payment to witness count.
2.In the event that the defendant is convicted under this section as well as for the underlying offense (i.e., the offense with respect to which the payment was made), see the Commentary to Chapter Three, Part C (Obstruction), and to 3D1.2(c) (Groups of Closely Related Counts).
Background: This section applies to witness gratuities in federal proceedings.
Historical Note: Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective November 1, 1989 (see Appendix C, amendments 180 and 181).
United States Sentencing Commission