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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.
Research
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DATA REPORTS

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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.

Public Access to Commission Data and Documents
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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.

Rules of Practice and Procedure
Education
Education Mission

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 nominated 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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Filters

Crime Victims' Rights

Primer

Crime Victims' Rights (January 2019) This primer provides a general overview of crime victims’ rights under the Crime...

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Report At A Glance: Federal Mandatory Minimum Penalties for Sex Offenses

Handout

Full Report

This handout presents an overview of the Commission's 2019 report, Mandatory Minimum Penalties for Sex Offenses in...

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Report At A Glance: Federal ID Theft Mandatory Minimum Penalties

Handout

Full Report

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

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Intellectual Property

Primer

Intellectual Property Offenses (August 2018) This primer is intended to provide an overview of the sentencing...

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Report At A Glance: 851 Enhancements

Handout

Full Report

This handout presents an overview of the Commission's 2018 report, Application and Impact of 21 U.S.C. § 851:...

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Securities and Investment Fraud

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Theft, Property Destruction & Fraud

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Copyright and Trademark Infringement

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Non-U.S. Citizen Federal Offenders

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RICO

Primer

Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (May 2018) The purpose of this primer is to provide a general overview...

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Antitrust

Primer

Antitrust Offenses (May 2018) This primer is intended to provide an overview of sentencing-related criminal antitrust...

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Sexual Abuse and Failure to Register Offenses

Primer

Sexual Abuse and Failure to Register Offenses (May 2018) The purpose of this primer is to provide a general overview of...

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Commercial Sex Acts and Sexual Abuse of a Minor

Primer

Commercial Sex Acts and Sexual Abuse of a Minor (May 2018) The purpose of this primer is to provide a general overview...

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Firearms

Primer

Firearms (April 2018) The purpose of this primer is to provide a general overview of the major statutes, sentencing...

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Drugs

Primer

Drugs (May 2018) The purpose of this primer is to provide a general overview of the sentencing guidelines, pertinent...

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Departures and Variances

Primer

Departures and Variances (April 2018) This primer contains a summary of guideline provisions and annotations to...

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Criminal History

Primer

Criminal History (April 2018) The purpose of this primer is to provide a general overview of the sentencing guidelines...

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Aggravating and Mitigating Role Adjustments

Primer

Aggravating and Mitigating Role Adjustments (March 2018) The purpose of this primer is to provide a general overview of...

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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

Handout

Full Report

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

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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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Report At A Glance: Federal Drug Mandatory Minimum Penalties

Handout

Full Report

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

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(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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