Criminal History

February 2025

(February 2025) These retroactivity reports present data on either: 1) the potential impact of retroactive application...

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Criminal History

Primer

August 2024

This primer provides a general overview of the sentencing guidelines and statutes relevant to application of Chapter...

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Topic

Backgrounder

Criminal History

Training Materials

Categorical Approach

Primer

August 2024

This primer provides a general overview of selected statutes, sentencing guidelines, and case law involving application...

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Topic

Career Offenders

Quick Facts

May 2024

Download the PDF

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Topic

Federal Register Notice: Submission of 2024 Amendments to Congress, Request for Comment

April 2024

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

The Commission delivered to Congress amendments to the federal sentencing guidelines on April 30, 2024 (effective...

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2024 Youthful Individuals Data Briefing

Data Briefing

February 2024

This data briefing is intended to inform public comment on a proposed amendment. Deadline: February 22, 2024.

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Federal Register Notice of Proposed 2023-2024 Amendments

December 2023

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

The Commission published proposed amendments for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2024. Federal Register Notice

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December 14, 2023

Press Releases

The Commission published proposed amendments and issues for comment for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2024.

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

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Virtual Training: 2023 Criminal History Amendment and Retroactivity

Video

November 2023

Training staff review the 2023 Criminal History Amendment and discuss retroactive application of the amendment.

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Materials Relating to the 2023 Criminal History Amendment

September 2023

This page answers many basic questions that the public may have about the 2023 Criminal History Amendment and...

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Topic

Backgrounder

Criminal History

Retroactivity

2023 Criminal History Amendment

September 2023

An overview of the Commission's work on Criminal History during the 2022-2023 amendment year.

Amendment 821 In Brief

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Topic

Federal Register Notice of Final Action

August 2023

The Commission has determined that the targeted changes to the criminal history rules made in Parts A and B, Subpart 1...

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Retroactivity Amendment (effective November 1, 2023)

August 2023

"Reader-Friendly"

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Public Meeting - August 24, 2023

Amendment Cycle

Final Priorities

A public meeting of the Commission was held on Thursday, August 24, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. (EDT) pursuant to Rule 3.2 of the...

Meeting Minutes

Transcript

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August 24, 2023

Press Releases

Commissioners voted at a public meeting to allow delayed retroactive application of Amendment 821 relating to criminal...

Amendment Cycle

Final Priorities

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Federal Register Notice of Final 2023-2024 Priorities

August 2023

Amendment Cycle

Final Priorities

The Commission published final priorities for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2024. Federal Register Notice

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Public Comment from August 1, 2023

August 2023

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Priorities

Summary

The Commission received comment on proposed priorities for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2024.

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Public Hearing - July 19, 2023

Commissioners received testimony concerning whether to designate as retroactive Parts A and B of the 2023 Criminal...

Transcript

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Public Comment from June 23, 2023

June 2023

Summary

The Commission received comment on possible retroactive application of Parts A and B of the 2023 Criminal History...

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Federal Register Notice of Proposed 2023-2024 Priorities

June 2023

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Priorities

The Commission seeks comment on proposed priorities for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2024. Public comment should be...

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Federal Register Notice: Submission of 2023 Amendments to Congress

May 2023

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

The Commission delivered to Congress amendments to the federal sentencing guidelines on April 27, 2023 (effective...

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Adopted Amendments (effective November 1, 2023)

May 2023

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

"Reader-Friendly"

Official Text

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April 5, 2023

Press Releases

Equipped with a quorum for the first time since 2018, the bipartisan Commission voted today to promulgate amendments to...

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

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Issue for Comment on Retroactivity of Criminal History Amendment

April 2023

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

Issue for Comment on Retroactivity

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Public Comment from March 14, 2023

March 2023

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

Summary

The Commission received comment on proposed amendments for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2023.

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Public Hearing - March 7-8, 2023

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

A public hearing was held on March 7-8, 2023 to receive testimony on proposed amendments related to Firearms, Fake Pills...

Day 1 Transcript

Day 2 Transcript

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Federal Register Notice of Proposed 2022-2023 Amendments

February 2023

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

The Commission published proposed amendments for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2023. Federal Register Notice

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2023 Criminal History Data Briefing

Data Briefing

January 2023

This data briefing is intended to inform public comment on a proposed amendment. Deadline: March 14, 2023.

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Proposed 2023 Amendments to the Federal Sentencing Guidelines

January 2023

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

"Reader-Friendly" Proposed Amendments

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January 12, 2023

Press Releases

The Commission published proposed amendments and issues for comment for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2023.

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

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Federal Register Notice of Final 2022-2023 Priorities

October 2022

Amendment Cycle

Final Priorities

The Commission published final priorities for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2023. Federal Register Notice

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October 28, 2022

Press Releases

The Commission finalized policy priorities for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2023.

Amendment Cycle

Final Priorities

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Public Comment from October 17, 2022

October 2022

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Priorities

Summary

The Commission received comment on proposed priorities for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2023.

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September 29, 2022

Press Releases

The Commission proposed policy priorities for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2023.

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Priorities

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Federal Register Notice of Proposed 2022-2023 Priorities

September 2022

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Priorities

The Commission seeks comment on proposed priorities for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2023. Public comment should be...

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Length of Incarceration and Recidivism (2022)

June 2022

(June 2022) This report is the seventh and final report in a series continuing the Commission’s research of the...

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Revisiting Status Points

June 2022

(June 2022) This report examines the application and significance of status points, and considers the extent to which...

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Report At A Glance: Federal Sentencing of Child Pornography

Report-At-A-Glance

May 2022

These infographics present an overview of the Commission's series of reports on child pornography offenses.

Infographic - Non-Production Offenses

Infographic - Production Offenses

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Topic

Report At A Glance: Recidivism and Federal Sentencing Policy

Report-At-A-Glance

May 2022

These infographics presents an overview of the Commission's series of reports on recidivism of federal offenders.

Infographic - 2010 Cohort

Infographic - 2005 Cohort

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Topic

Recidivism of Federal Violent Offenders Released in 2010

February 2022

(February 2022) This report is the fourth in a series continuing the Commission’s research of the recidivism of federal...

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Recidivism of Federal Drug Trafficking Offenders Released in 2010

January 2022

(January 2022) This report is the third in a series continuing the Commission’s research of the recidivism of federal...

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Recidivism of Federal Firearms Offenders Released in 2010

November 2021

(Updated February 2022) This report is the second in a series continuing the Commission’s research of the recidivism of...

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Recidivism of Federal Offenders Released in 2010

September 2021

(September 2021) This report is the first in a series continuing the Commission’s research of the recidivism of federal...

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Federal Armed Career Criminals: Prevalence, Patterns, and Pathways

March 2021

(March 2021) This report provides information on offenders sentenced under the Armed Career Criminal Act.

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Length of Incarceration and Recidivism

April 2020

(April 2020) This study examines the relationship between length of incarceration and recidivism, specifically exploring...

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Path of Federal Criminality: Mobility and Criminal History

April 2020

(April 2020) This study expands on prior Commission research by examining the geographic mobility of federal offenders.

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The Criminal History of Federal Economic Crime Offenders

February 2020

(February 2020) For the first time, this report provides in-depth criminal history information about federal economic...

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Recidivism Among Federal Firearms Offenders

June 2019

(June 2019) This report is the sixth in a series of recidivism reports and provides an analysis of federal firearms...

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Reply Comment from March 15, 2019

March 2019

Summary

The Commission received reply comment on proposed amendments to the federal sentencing guidelines.

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Public Comment from February 19, 2019

February 2019

Summary

The Commission received comment on proposed amendments to the federal sentencing guidelines.

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Revocations Among Federal Offenders

January 2019

(January 2019) This publication explores a subset of the Commission’s criminal history rules—those regarding the...

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Recidivism Among Federal Violent Offenders

January 2019

(January 2019) This report is the fifth in a series of reports and provides a recidivism analysis of federal offenders...

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Federal Register Notice of Proposed 2019 Amendments

December 2018

The Commission has proposed amendments to the guidelines and has requested public comment. Public comment will be...

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December 13, 2018

Press Releases

U.S. Sentencing Commission proposes amendments to the federal sentencing guidelines, holds final public meeting of the...

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Proposed 2019 Amendments to the Federal Sentencing Guidelines

December 2018

"Reader-Friendly" Proposed Amendments

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Public Comment from August 10, 2018

August 2018

Summary

The Commission received comment on proposed priorities for the 2018 - 2019 amendment year (ending May 1, 2019).

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Federal Register Notice of Final 2018-2019 Priorities

August 2018

The Commission has finalized priorities for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2019. Federal Register Notice

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August 23, 2018

Press Releases

U.S. Sentencing Commission adopts 2018-2019 policy priorities. Press Release Unofficial Text of Final Priorities

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Application and Impact of Section 851 Enhancements

July 2018

(July 2018) This publication examines the application and impact of the statutory penalty enhancement for federal drug...

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Federal Register Notice of Proposed 2018-2019 Priorities

June 2018

The Commission has proposed priorities for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2019 and has requested public comment...

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The Criminal History of Federal Offenders

May 2018

(May 2018) For the first time, this report provides complete information on the number of convictions and types of...

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Federal Register Notice of Submission to Congress - 2018 Amendments

May 2018

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

The Commission submitted to Congress amendments to the federal sentencing guidelines with an effective date of November...

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The Effects of Aging on Recidivism Among Federal Offenders

December 2017

(December 2017) This report examines the impact of the aging process on federal offender recidivism and, once age is...

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Reply Comment from November 6, 2017

November 2017

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

Summary

The Commission received reply comment on proposed amendments to the federal sentencing guidelines. (82 FR 40651)

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Public Comment from October 10, 2017

October 2017

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

Summary

The Commission received public comment on proposed amendments to the federal sentencing guidelines. (82 FR 40651)

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Federal Register Notice of Proposed 2017 Holdover Amendments

August 2017

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

The Commission has proposed amendments to the guidelines and has requested public comment. Public comment was accepted...

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Federal Register Notice of Final 2017-2018 Priorities

August 2017

Amendment Cycle

Final Priorities

The Commission has finalized policy priorities for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2018. 82 FR 39949

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Proposed 2017 Holdover Amendments to the Sentencing Guidelines

August 2017

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

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Federal Register Notice of Proposed 2017-2018 Priorities

June 2017

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Priorities

The Commission has proposed priorities for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2018 and has requested public comment...

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Report At A Glance: Federal Sentencing of Career Offenders

Report-At-A-Glance

May 2017

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

Handout

Full Report

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Topic

Reply Comment from March 10, 2017

March 2017

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

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Criminal History and Recidivism of Federal Offenders

March 2017

(March 2017) The focus of this report is the 25,431 U.S. citizen federal offenders released from prison or placed on...

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Public Comment from February 20, 2017

February 2017

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

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Recidivism Among Federal Drug Trafficking Offenders

February 2017

(February 2017) This report examines a group of 10,888 federal drug trafficking offenders who were released in calendar...

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2017 Youthful Individuals Data Briefing

Data Briefing

January 2017

This data briefing is intended to inform public comment on a proposed amendment. Deadline: February 20, 2017

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First Offenders and Alternatives to Incarceration Data Briefing

Data Briefing

January 2017

This data briefing is intended to inform public comment on a proposed amendment. Deadline: February 20, 2017

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Federal Register Notice of Proposed 2017 Amendments

December 2016

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

The Commission has proposed amendments to the federal sentencing guidelines and has requested public comment. Public...

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Public Meeting - December 9, 2016

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

Commissioners voted to publish proposed amendments to the federal sentencing guidelines.

Meeting Minutes

Transcript

Chair's Remarks

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December 9, 2016

Press Releases

U.S. Sentencing Commission holds last public meeting of the current commission, proposes 2017 amendments to the federal...

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

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Proposed 2017 Amendments to the Federal Sentencing Guidelines

December 2016

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

"Reader-Friendly" Proposed Amendments

Issue for Comment Regarding Synthetic Drugs

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August 18, 2016

Press Releases

U.S. Sentencing Commission announces its list of 2016-2017 policy priorities.

Amendment Cycle

Final Priorities

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Federal Register Notice of Final 2017 Priorities

August 2016

Amendment Cycle

Final Priorities

After reviewing public comment, the Commission has identified its policy priorities for the upcoming amendment cycle...

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Supplement to the 2015 Guidelines Manual

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2016 Report to the Congress: Career Offender Enhancements

July 2016

(July 2016) This report presents findings of the Commission's multi-year study of statutory and guideline definitions...

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July 28, 2016

Press Releases

Commission issues Report to the Congress: Career Offender Enhancements. Report analyzes career offenders’ prior criminal...

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Public Comment from July 25, 2016

July 2016

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Priorities

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Federal Register Notice of Proposed 2017 Priorities and Request for Public Comment

June 2016

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Priorities

The Commission is seeking comment on possible priority policy issues for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2017 (81 FR...

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March 9, 2016

Press Releases

- The Commission issues the first report on the results of its multi-year study on the recidivism of federal offenders...

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Recidivism Among Federal Offenders: A Comprehensive Overview

March 2016

(March 2016) This report provides a broad overview of key findings from the United States Sentencing Commission’s study...

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October 22, 2015

Press Releases

- Honorable Patti B. Saris, Chair of the U.S. Sentencing Commission praises the Senate Judiciary Committee's action to...

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Federal Register Notice of Final 2016 Priorities

August 2015

Amendment Cycle

Final Priorities

In June 2015, the Commission published a notice of possible policy priorities for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2016...

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Federal Register Notice of Proposed 2016 Priorities and Request for Public Comment

June 2015

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Priorities

The Commission is seeking comment on possible priority policy issues for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2016 (80 FR...

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"Reader-Friendly" Version of Amendments Submitted to Congress April 30, 2015 (effective November 1, 2015)

April 2015

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

Download the "Reader-Friendly" Version

Download the "Official Text"

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Federal Register Notice of Submission to Congress of Amendments to the Federal Sentencing Guidelines (Effective November 1, 2015)

April 2015

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

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Public Comment from March 18, 2015

March 2015

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

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Federal Register Notice of Proposed 2015 Amendments to Federal Sentencing Guidelines, Policy Statements, and Commentary and Request for Public Comment

January 2015

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

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"Reader-Friendly" Version of the Proposed 2015 Guideline Amendments

January 2015

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

Download the “Reader-Friendly”

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Federal Register Notice of Final 2014 Priorities

August 2014

Amendment Cycle

Final Priorities

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Federal Register Notice of Proposed 2014 Priorities and Request for Public Comment

June 2014

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Priorities

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USSC LIVE! Criminal History Webcast

Video

January 2014

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April 13, 2012

Press Releases

- Commission promulgates amendments for the 2011-2012 amendment cycle.

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

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Public Comment from March 29, 2012

March 2012

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

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Federal Register Notice of Proposed Amendments to Federal Sentencing Guidelines, Policy Statements, and Commentary, Request for Public Comment

January 2012

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

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Public Comment from September 15, 2010

September 2010

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

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Computation of Recency Criminal History Points under USSG §4A1.1(e)

August 2010

This document provides certain information considered by the Commission as part of its determination to amend the...

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Federal Register Notice of Submission to Congress 2010 Amendments

May 2010

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

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"Reader-Friendly" Version of Amendments Submitted to Congress April 29, 2010 (effective November 1, 2010)

May 2010

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

20100503_RFP_Amendments.pdf

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April 19, 2010

Press Releases

- Commission votes to send to Congress guideline amendments providing more alternatives to incarceration, increasing...

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

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Public Comment from March 17, 2010

March 2010

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

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"Reader-Friendly" Version of the Proposed 2010 Guideline Amendments

January 2010

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

20100121_RFP_Amendments.pdf

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Federal Register Notice of Proposed Amendments to Sentencing Guidelines, Policy Statements, and Commentary, Request for Public Comment and Notice of Public Hearing

January 2010

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

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Federal Register Notice of Request for Public Comment

January 2010

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

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Federal Register Notice of Final 2009 Priorities

September 2009

Amendment Cycle

Final Priorities

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Public Comment from March 17, 2009

March 2009

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

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Impact of Prior Minor Offenses on Eligibility for Safety Valve

March 2009

This report provides an analysis of the role of convictions for prior minor offenses in the sentences of federal...

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Public Comment from March 28, 2008

March 2008

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

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Federal Register Notice of proposed amendments to sentencing guidelines, policy statements, and commentary, request for public comment, and notice of public hearing

January 2008

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

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Public Comment from November 1, 2007

November 2007

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

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Federal Register Notice of Final 2007 Priorities

September 2007

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Priorities

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Federal Register Notice of Request for Comment on 2007 Crack Retroactivity

July 2007

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

BAC/2211-01 UNITED STATES SENTENCING COMMISSION Sentencing Guidelines for United States Courts AGENCY: United States...

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Federal Register Notice of Proposed 2007 Priorities and Request for Public Comment

June 2007

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Priorities

BAC/2211-01 UNITED STATES SENTENCING COMMISSION Sentencing Guidelines for United States Courts AGENCY: United States...

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Federal Register Notice of Submission to Congress 2007 Amendments

May 2007

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

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"Reader-Friendly" Version of the 2007 Amendments to the Sentencing Guidelines Submitted to Congress on May 11, 2007

May 2007

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

20070501_RF_Amendments.pdf

20070501_Amendments.pdf

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April 27, 2007

Press Releases

- United States Sentencing Commission votes to amend guidelines for Terrorism, Sex Offenses, Intellectual Property...

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"Reader-Friendly" Version of the 2007 Proposed Amendments to the Sentencing Guidelines, Policy Statements, and Official Commentary

January 2007

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

20070130_RFP_Amendments.pdf

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Federal Register Notice of proposed amendments to sentencing guidelines, policy statements, and commentary

January 2007

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

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Federal Register Notice of Final 2006 Priorities

September 2006

Amendment Cycle

Final Priorities

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Federal Register Notice of Proposed 2006 Priorities and Request for Public Comment

August 2006

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Priorities

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A Comparison of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines Criminal History Category and the U.S. Parole Commission Salient Factor Score

January 2005

The third release in the Research Series on the Recidivism of Federal Offenders describes the empirical foundations of...

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Federal Register Notice of Final 2004 Priorities

September 2004

Amendment Cycle

Final Priorities

BAC2210-40/2211-01 UNITED STATES SENTENCING COMMISSION Sentencing Guidelines for United States Courts AGENCY: United...

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Federal Register Notice of Proposed 2004 Priorities

June 2004

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Priorities

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Measuring Recidivism: The Criminal History Computation of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines

May 2004

The first release in the Research Series on the Recidivism of Federal Offenders, this report examines in detail the...

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Federal Register Notice of Final 2003 Priorities

September 2003

Amendment Cycle

Final Priorities

BAC2210-40/2211-01 UNITED STATES SENTENCING COMMISSION Sentencing Guidelines for United States Courts AGENCY: United...

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Federal Register Notice of Proposed 2003 Priorities, Request for Comment

July 2003

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Priorities

BAC2210-40/2211-01 UNITED STATES SENTENCING COMMISSION Sentencing Guidelines for United States Courts AGENCY: United...

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Notice of final policy priorities for amendment cycle ending May 1, 2003

September 2002

Amendment Cycle

Final Priorities

BAC2210-40/2211-01 UNITED STATES SENTENCING COMMISSION Sentencing Guidelines for United States Courts AGENCY: United...

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Notice of Tentative Policy Priorities for amendment cycle ending May 1, 2003, published in the Federal Register on Friday, June 21, 2002

June 2002

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Priorities

BAC2210-40/2211-01 UNITED STATES SENTENCING COMMISSION Sentencing Guidelines for United States Courts AGENCY: United...

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Federal Register Notice of Proposed Priorities and Request for Public Comment.

January 2001

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Priorities

BAC2210-40/2211-01 UNITED STATES SENTENCING COMMISSION Sentencing Guidelines for United States Courts AGENCY: United...

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Federal Register Notice and Request for Public Comment.

January 2000

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

Final Priorities

BAC2210-40/2211-01 UNITED STATES SENTENCING COMMISSION Sentencing Guidelines for United States Courts AGENCY: United...

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Federal Register Notice of Preliminary Priority Areas for Commission Study

May 1998

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Priorities

BAC2210-40/2211-01 United States Sentencing Commission Sentencing Guidelines for the United States Courts AGENCY: United...

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Criminal History

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