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United States Sentencing Commission

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The Federal Sentencing Guidelines

The Commission promulgates guidelines that judges consult when sentencing federal offenders. When the guidelines are amended, a subsequent Guidelines Manual is published.

In this section, you will find the Commission’s comprehensive archive of yearly amendments and Guidelines Manuals dating back to 1987.
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Research & Data Mission

The Commission collects, analyzes, and disseminates a broad array of information on federal crime and sentencing practices.

In this section, you will find a comprehensive collection of research and data reports published on sentencing issues and other areas of federal crime.

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The Amendment Cycle

The Commission establishes sentencing policies and practices for the federal courts. Each year, the Commission reviews and refines these policies in light of congressional action, decisions from courts of appeals, sentencing-related research, and input from the criminal justice community.

In this section, you can follow the Commission’s work through the amendment cycle as priorities are set, research is performed, testimony is heard, and amendments are adopted.

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The Commission serves as an information resource for Congress, the executive branch, the courts, criminal justice practitioners, the academic community, and the public.

In this section, you will find resources to assist you in understanding and applying the federal sentencing guidelines.
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About the Commission

The U.S. Sentencing Commission is an independent agency in the judicial branch that was created as part of the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984. Commissioners are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The Attorney General, or the Attorney General’s designee, and the Chair of the U.S. Parole Commission serve as ex officio, nonvoting members of the Commission.

In this section, learn about the Commission’s mission, structure, and ongoing work.
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Relevant Conduct

Primer

Relevant Conduct (March 2018) This primer addresses some common questions that have arisen in the context of relevant...

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Report At A Glance: Federal Gun Mandatory Minimum Penalties

This handout presents an overview of the Commission's 2018 report, Mandatory Minimum Penalties for Firearms...

Sexual Abuse and Failure to Register Offenses

Primer

Sexual Abuse and Failure to Register Offenses (April 2017) The purpose of this primer is to provide a general overview...

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Commercial Sex Acts and Sexual Abuse of a Minor

Primer

Commercial Sex Acts and Sexual Abuse of a Minor (April 2017) The purpose of this primer is to provide a general...

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Supervised Release

Primer

Supervised Release (April 2017) This primer provides a general overview of the imposition and revocation of supervised...

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Retroactivity

Primer

Retroactivity (April 2017) This primer addresses some common procedural questions that have arisen in the context of...

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Departures and Variances

Primer

Departures and Variances (April 2017) This primer contains a summary of guideline provisions and annotations to...

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Aggravating and Mitigating Role Adjustments

Primer

Aggravating and Mitigating Role Adjustments (April 2017) This primer discusses issues related to adjustments pursuant...

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Securities and Investment Fraud

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Mortgage Fraud

Download the PDF

Government Benefits Fraud

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Credit Card Fraud

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Health Care Fraud

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Report At A Glance: Federal Drug Mandatory Minimum Penalties

This handout presents an overview of the Commission's 2017 report, Mandatory Minimum Penalties for Drug Offenses in...

Immigration

Primer

(September 2017) This primer is intended to provide an overview of sentencing-related criminal immigration topics. It is not a comprehensive compilation of issues and is not a substitute for reading and interpreting the actual cases, statutes, and Guidelines Manual . Rather, it should serve as a helpful supplement to those primary sources.

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Copyright and Trademark Infringement

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Counterfeiting

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Tax Fraud

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Organizational Offenders

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Fines Under the Organizational Guidelines

Primer

Fines Under the Organizational Guidelines (September 2017) Chapter Eight of the Guidelines Manual sets forth the...

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Native American Offenders

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Robbery Offenses

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Section 924(c) Firearms

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Firearms

Primer

Firearms (August 2017) The purpose of this primer is to provide a general overview of the major statutes, sentencing...

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Marijuana Trafficking

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Crack Cocaine Trafficking

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Powder Cocaine Trafficking

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Oxycodone Trafficking

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Heroin Trafficking

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Methamphetamine Trafficking

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Drugs

Primer

Drugs (August 2017) The purpose of this primer is to provide a general overview of the sentencing guidelines, pertinent...

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Report At A Glance: Federal Mandatory Minimum Penalties

This handout presents an overview of the Commission's 2017 report, Overview of Mandatory Minimum Penalties in the...

Mandatory Minimum Penalties

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Categorical Approach

Primer

Categorical Approach (July 2017) The purpose of this primer is to provide a general overview of the history, major...

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Economic Crime Victims

Primer

Economic Crime Victims (July 2017) This primer provides a general overview of selected guideline issues related to...

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Theft, Property Destruction & Fraud

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Loss Calculation

Primer

Loss Calculation (July 2017) This primer discusses issues often raised about economic loss and loss calculation under §...

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Bribery

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Criminal History

Primer

Criminal History (April 2017) The purpose of this primer is to provide a general overview of the sentencing guidelines...

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Non-U.S. Citizen Federal Offenders

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Career Offenders

Download the PDF

Federal Offenders in Prison

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Drug Trafficking

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Report At A Glance: Recidivism and Federal Sentencing Policy

This handout presents an overview of the Commission's report, Recidivism Among Federal Offenders: A Comprehensive...

Report At A Glance: Federal Simple Drug Possession

This handout presents an overview of the Commission's report, Weighing the Charges: Simple Possession of Drugs in...

Report At A Glance: Federal Sentencing of Career Offenders

This handout presents an overview of the Commission's Report to the Congress: Career Offender Sentencing...

Alien Smuggling

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Illegal Reentry

Download the PDF

Section 922(g) Firearms

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Frequently Asked Questions: 2011 Retroactive Crack Cocaine Guideline Amendment

This document provides answers to the most frequently asked questions about the Commission's decision to give...

Policy Profile: The Fair Sentencing Act of 2010

Sensible Sentencing Reform: The Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 This document provides background information on the impact...

Policy Profile: The 2014 Drug Amendment

Sensible Sentencing Reform: The 2014 Drug Guidelines Amendment This document provides background information on the...

National Defense

Female Offenders

(July 2014) While women continue to make up a small percentage of federal offenders, the proportion of federal...

USSC HelpLine

The HelpLine assists practitioners in applying the guidelines.

Contact: (202) 502-4545

Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (ET) Monday – Friday

U.S. Sentencing Commission

Office of Public Affairs
One Columbus Circle, NE
Suite 2-500, South Lobby
Washington, DC, 20002-8002

Main: (202) 502-4500

E-mail: PubAffairs@ussc.gov

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