Retroactivity

May 2025

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

Learn More

Federal Register Notice: Submission of 2025 Amendments to Congress, Request for Comment

April 2025

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

The Commission delivered to Congress amendments to the federal sentencing guidelines on April 30, 2025 (effective...

Learn More

Issue for Comment on Retroactivity Published April 2025

April 2025

Issue for Comment

Learn More

Comment from April 18, 2025

April 2025

Summary

The Commission received comment on the criteria for selecting retroactive guideline amendments.

Learn More

Federal Register Notice of January 2025 Issue for Comment

January 2025

The Commission is seeking comment relating to fentanyl, fentanyl analogues, and other opioids. Public comment should be...

Learn More

Federal Register Notice of December 2024 Issue for Comment

December 2024

The Commission is seeking comment relating to the criteria it considers in selecting guideline amendments that may be...

Learn More

Issue for Comment on Retroactivity Criteria Published December 2024

December 2024

Issue for Comment

Learn More

Public Meeting - August 8, 2024

Amendment Cycle

Final Priorities

A public meeting of the Commission was held on Thursday, August 8, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. (EDT) pursuant to Rule 3.2 of the...

Chair's Remarks

Meeting Minutes

Transcript

Learn More

Reply Comment from July 22, 2024

July 2024

Summary

The Commission received reply comment on possible retroactive application of certain 2024 amendments (effective November...

Learn More

Public Hearing - July 15, 2024

Commissioners received testimony concerning whether to designate as retroactive certain 2024 amendments to the federal...

Learn More

Retroactive Guideline Amendments

Primer

July 2024

This primer provides a general overview of the statute, policy statement, and case law applicable to motions for a...

Download the PDF

Learn More

Topic

Backgrounder

Retroactivity

Training Materials

Public Comment from June 21, 2024

June 2024

Summary

The Commission received comment on possible retroactive application of certain 2024 amendments (effective November 1...

Learn More

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.

Learn More

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...

Learn More

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

Learn More

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...

Learn More

Retroactivity Amendment (effective November 1, 2023)

August 2023

"Reader-Friendly"

Learn More

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

Learn More

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

Learn More

Public Hearing - July 19, 2023

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

Transcript

Learn More

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...

Learn More

Issue for Comment on Retroactivity of Criminal History Amendment

April 2023

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

Issue for Comment on Retroactivity

Learn More

The First Step Act of 2018: One Year of Implementation

August 2020

(August 2020) With a full year of data now available since the passage of the First Step Act of 2018, the Commission...

Learn More

Report At A Glance: The First Step Act of 2018

Report-At-A-Glance

August 2020

This infographic presents an overview of the Commission's 2020 report, The First Step Act of 2018: One Year of...

Infographic

Full Report

Learn More

Topic

Fair Sentencing Act of 2010

Firearms

First Step Act of 2018

Report At A Glance: Retroactivity and Recidivism

Report-At-A-Glance

August 2020

This infographic presents an overview of the Commission's 2020 report, Retroactivity and Recidivism: The Drugs Minus Two...

Infographic

Full Report

Learn More

Topic

Fair Sentencing Act of 2010

Retroactivity & Recidivism: The Drugs Minus Two Amendment

July 2020

(July 2020) This publication analyzes recidivism rates among drug offenders who were released immediately before and...

Learn More

Reply Comment from March 15, 2019

March 2019

Summary

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

Learn More

Public Comment from February 19, 2019

February 2019

Summary

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

Learn More

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...

Learn More

December 13, 2018

Press Releases

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

Learn More

Proposed 2019 Amendments to the Federal Sentencing Guidelines

December 2018

"Reader-Friendly" Proposed Amendments

Learn More

August 23, 2018

Press Releases

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

Learn More

Recidivism Among Federal Offenders Receiving Retroactive Sentence Reductions: The 2011 Fair Sentencing Act Guideline Amendment

March 2018

(March 2018) This publication analyzes recidivism among crack cocaine offenders who were released early after...

Learn More

2015 Report to the Congress: Impact of the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010

August 2015

(August 2015) The Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 (FSA) reduced the statutory penalties for crack cocaine offenses to...

Learn More

USSC Live! Retroactivity, Alternatives and Online Data

Video

August 2014

Learn More

Federal Register Notice of Final Action Regarding Amendment to Policy Statement §1B1.10, Effective November 1, 2014

July 2014

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

Learn More

July 18, 2014

Press Releases

- U.S. Sentencing Commission unanimously votes to allow delayed retroactive reduction in drug trafficking sentences.

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

Learn More

"Reader-Friendly" Version of Amendment to Policy Statement §1B1.10 (effective November 1, 2014)

July 2014

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

20140718_RF_Amendment782.pdf

Learn More

Public Comment from July 7, 2014

July 2014

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

Learn More

Public Meeting - July 18, 2014

July 2014

Learn More

Public Hearing - June 10, 2014

June 2014

Learn More

Recidivism Among Offenders Receiving Retroactive Sentence Reductions: The 2007 Crack Cocaine Amendment

May 2014

This publication provides an updated recidivism analysis of crack cocaine offenders who were released early after...

Learn More

Federal Register Notice of Submission to Congress 2014 Amendments, Request for Comment

April 2014

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

Learn More

"Reader-Friendly" Version of Amendments Submitted to Congress April 30, 2014 (effective November 1, 2014)

April 2014

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

20140430_RF_Amendments.pdf

20140430_Amendments.pdf

Learn More

Federal Register Notice of Proposed 2014 Amendments to Federal Sentencing Guidelines, Policy Statements, and Commentary and Request for Public Comment

January 2014

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

Learn More

"Reader-Friendly" Version of the Proposed 2014 Guideline Amendments

January 2014

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

Download the “Reader-Friendly”

Learn More

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

January 2012

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

Learn More

Federal Register Notice of Final Action Regarding 2011 Retroactivity

July 2011

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions: 2011 Retroactive Crack Cocaine Guideline Amendment

June 2011

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

Learn More

Topic

Backgrounder

Drugs

Crack Cocaine

Fair Sentencing Act of 2010

Final Amendments

Retroactivity

June 30, 2011

Press Releases

- Commission unanimously votes to apply proposed permanent amendment implementing the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010...

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

Learn More

"Reader-Friendly" Text of Retroactivity Amendment

June 2011

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

20110630_RF_Amendment_Retro.pdf

20100430_Amendments.pdf

Learn More

Public Comment from June 2, 2011

June 2011

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

Learn More

2007 Crack Cocaine Amendment

June 2011

Data on Retroactive Application of the 2007 Crack Cocaine Amendment A set of tables presenting data on cases in which a...

Learn More

Topic

Public Comment from September 15, 2010

September 2010

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

Learn More

Federal Register Notice of Request for Public Comment

January 2010

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

Learn More

Federal Register Notice of request for public comment.

June 2009

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

Learn More

"Reader-Friendly" Version of Amendments on Crack Cocaine and Retroactivity (effective May 1, 2008)

May 2008

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

20080501_RF_Amendments.pdf

20080501_Amendments.pdf

Learn More

"Reader-Friendly" Version of Amendments on Crack Cocaine and Retroactivity (effective May 1, 2008) and Amendments Submitted to Congress on May 1, 2008 (effective November 1, 2008)

May 2008

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

20080501_RF_Amendments_Final.pdf

Learn More

Federal Register Notice of final action regarding amendments to a policy statement and commentary effective May 1, 2008.

April 2008

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

Learn More

"Reader-Friendly" Version of Amendments on Retroactivity (effective March 3, 2008)

March 2008

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

20080303_RF_Amendments.pdf

Learn More

Federal Register Notice of proposed amendments to the Sentencing Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure. Request for public comment

January 2008

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

Learn More

December 11, 2007

Press Releases

- Commission Votes Unanimously to Apply Amendment Retroactively for Crack Cocaine Offenses; Effective Date for...

Learn More

Public Comment from November 1, 2007

November 2007

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

Learn More

Federal Register Notice of 2007 Public Hearing

October 2007

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

Learn More

Federal Register Notice of Extension of the Deadline for Public Comment Regarding Retroactivity

September 2007

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

Learn More

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...

Learn More

Federal Register Notice of Final Action Regarding Amendments on Retroactivity, Effective March 3, 2008

January 2007

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

Learn More

Federal Register Notice of 2006 Request for Comment on Retroactivity

May 2006

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

Learn More

Notice of proposed amendments to sentencing guidelines, policy statements, and commentary. Request for public comment, including public comment regarding retroactive application of any of the proposed amendments

January 2003

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

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

Learn More

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...

Learn More

Federal Register Notice of Proposed Emergency and Non-Emergency Amendments to the Sentencing Guidelines for 1997

January 1997

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

BAC2210-40 UNITED STATES SENTENCING COMMISSION SENTENCING GUIDELINES FOR UNITED STATES COURTS (NOTE DATE CHANGE FOR...

Learn More

February 14, 1996

Press Releases

- Child Sex Offenses – Public Comment.

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

Learn More

Federal Register Notice of 1996 Amendments

January 1996

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

Federal Register The following document can be found at 60 Federal Register 62289-92. UNITED STATES SENTENCING...

Learn More

Retroactivity

Sign Up for Email Updates