Policymaking
One of the Commission’s principal purposes is to establish sentencing policies and practices for the federal courts. Each year, the Commission reviews and refines the guidelines in light of congressional action, decisions from courts of appeals, sentencing-related research, and input from the criminal justice community. There have been over 800 amendments since the guidelines went into effect in 1987.
Learn more about our amendment process below.
Learn more about our amendment process below.
2024-2025 Amendment Cycle
Public Comment
The Commission received comment on proposed priorities for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2026.
Federal Register Notice
The Commission seeks comment on proposed priorities for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2026.
Public comment should be received by the Commission on or before July 18, 2025.
Event
A public meeting of the Commission will be held on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. (EDT) pursuant to Rule 3.2 of the Rules of Practice and Procedure of the United States Sentencing Commission. This meeting will be livestreamed.
Federal Register