U. S. Sentencing Commission'’s 2015 Sourcebook of Federal Sentencing Statistics

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Interactive Sourcebook

Introduction

This is the twentieth edition of the United States Sentencing Commission's Sourcebook of Federal Sentencing Statistics. This Sourcebook contains descriptive statistics on the application of the federal sentencing guidelines and provides selected district, circuit, and national sentencing data. The volume covers fiscal year 2015 (October 1, 2014, through September 30, 2015, hereinafter "2015"). This Sourcebook, together with the 2015 Annual Report, constitutes the annual report referenced in 28 U.S.C. § 997, as well as the analysis, recommendations, and accounting to Congress referenced in 28 U.S.C. § 994(w)(3).

The Commission has continued its statutory mission to collect data on federal sentencing decisions. The Commission received documentation on 71,003 federal felony and Class A misdemeanor cases in fiscal year 2015.[1] The Commission coded and edited information from the sentencing documents in these cases into its comprehensive, computerized data collection system.

Background

The Commission collects and analyzes data on federal sentences to support its various activities. As authorized by Congress, the Commission's numerous research responsibilities include (1) the establishment of a research and development program to serve as a clearinghouse and information center for the collection, preparation, and dissemination of information on federal sentencing practices; (2) the publication of data concerning the sentencing process; (3) the systematic collection and dissemination of information concerning sentences actually imposed and the relationship of such sentences to the factors set forth in section 3553(a) of title 18, United States Code; and (4) the systematic collection and dissemination of information regarding the effectiveness of sentences imposed.[2]

The Commission maintains a comprehensive, computerized data collection system which forms the basis for its clearinghouse of federal sentencing information and which contributes to the agency's research mission.

Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 994(w), the chief judge of each district is required to ensure that within 30 days of entry of judgment in a criminal case, the sentencing court submits a report of sentence to the Commission that includes (1) the judgment and commitment order; (2) the written statement of reasons; (3) any plea agreement; (4) the indictment or other charging document; (5) the presentence report; and (6) any other information the Commission requests.

Data from these documents are extracted and coded for input into various databases. It should be noted that data collection is a dynamic rather than a static process. When research questions arise, the Commission either analyzes existing data or adds information to its data collection system.

In 2012, the Commission began making its datasets available through the Commission's website.[3] The Commission's computerized datasets, without individual identifiers, are also available through the Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research at the University of Michigan (ICPSR).[4]

Datasets

For each case in its Offender Dataset, the Commission routinely collects case identifiers, sentencing data, demographic variables, statutory information, the complete range of court guideline decisions, and departure and variance information. Throughout 2015, the Commission continued to add data elements to its extensive computerized datafile on defendants sentenced under the guidelines. In addition to its standard data collection, the Commission often codes additional variables to study various distinct issues (e.g., drug offenses, criminal history).

The Commission's 2015 USSC Offender Dataset contains documentation on 71,003 felony and Class A misdemeanor cases in which the offender was sentenced between October 1, 2014, and September 30, 2015. A "case" is defined as one sentencing event for an individual defendant.

The Organizational Dataset contains documentation on organizations sentenced pursuant to Chapter Eight of the Guidelines Manual in 2015. The Commission collects available data on organizational structure, size, and economic viability; offense of conviction; mode of adjudication; sanctions imposed (including probation and court-ordered compliance programs); and application of the sentencing guidelines. The Commission received information on 181 organizations sentenced pursuant to Chapter Eight of the Guidelines Manual.

While the 2015 reporting year includes cases sentenced between October 1, 2014, and September 30, 2015, it is important to note that the individual offender and organizational data collected and analyzed in the 2015 Annual Report and 2015 Sourcebook of Federal Sentencing Statistics reflect cases for that fiscal year reported to the Commission (i.e., guidelines cases for which the courts forwarded appropriate documentation to the Commission) by February 19, 2016.

The Appeals Dataset tracks appellate review of sentencing decisions. Information captured in this module includes district, circuit, date of opinion, sentencing issues, and the appellate court's disposition. The Commission also tracks final opinions and orders, both published and unpublished, in federal criminal appeals. In 2015, the Commission gathered information on 8,306 cases decided by the courts of appeal. Cases involving co-appellants are treated as separate appeals for statistical purposes.

The Commission implemented a data collection system to track resentencings and other modifications of sentence in 2008. The information collected includes judicial district, reason for resentencing, new sentence, and guideline application information, if available. Information is collected on eight types of resentencings and other modifications of sentence. In 2015, the Commission received documentation on 24,743 resentencings and other modifications of sentence.

The information in this Sourcebook of Federal Sentencing Statistics can also be found using an online resource, the "Interactive Sourcebook of Federal Sentencing Statistics," available at http://isb.ussc.gov/Login. All of the tables and figures in this Sourcebook are available in the online version. Additionally, many other tables and figures providing further analysis of federal sentencing statistics can be found there. These additional tables and figures are not included in the printed Sourcebook. The data in the Interactive Sourcebook can be tailored to any district or group of districts, or to a circuit or group of circuits. Users can also change the fiscal year of the data presented, or group multiple years of data into one analysis. All analyses using the online tool can be saved into a .pdf format for later use or printing.

1 28 U.S.C. § 994(w); USSG §1B1.9.
2 28 U.S.C. §§ 995(a)(12) and (14) – (16).
3 The Commission's datasets can be found at http://www.ussc.gov/research-and-publications/commission-datafiles.
4 The Consortium's website address is http://www.icpsr.umich.edu/icpsrweb/landing.jsp.

Contents

Circuit and District Statistics
PDF icon Table01.pdf
Table 1
Document Submission by Each Circuit and District
PDF icon Table02.pdf
Table 2
Guideline Offenders in Each Circuit and District

Primary Offense and Offender Characteristics
PDF icon FigureA.pdf
Figure A
Offenders in Each Primary Offense Category
PDF icon Table03.pdf
Table 3
Change in Guideline Offenders in Each Primary Offense Category
PDF icon FigureB.pdf
Figure B
Number of Guideline Offenders in Selected Offense Types
PDF icon Table04.pdf
Table 4
Race of Offenders in Each Primary Offense Category
PDF icon Table05.pdf
Table 5
Gender of Offenders in Each Primary Offense Category
PDF icon Table06.pdf
Table 6
Age of Offenders in Each Primary Offense Category
PDF icon Table07.pdf
Table 7
Age Race and Gender of Offenders
PDF icon Table08.pdf
Table 8
Education of Offenders in Each Primary Offense Category
PDF icon Table09.pdf
Table 9
Citizenship of Offenders in Each Primary Offense Category

Sentencing Information
PDF icon FigureC.pdf
Figure C
Guilty Pleas and Trial Rates
PDF icon Table10.pdf
Table 10
Guilty Pleas and Trials in Each Circuit and District
PDF icon Table11.pdf
Table 11
Guilty Pleas and Trials in Each Primary Offense Category
PDF icon FigureD.pdf
Figure D
Distribution of Offenders Receiving Sentencing Options
PDF icon Table12.pdf
Table 12
Offenders Receiving Sentencing Options in Each Primary Offense Category
PDF icon Table13.pdf
Table 13
Sentence Length in Each Primary Offense Category
PDF icon Table14.pdf
Table 14
Length of Imprisonment for Offenders in Each Criminal History Category by Primary Offense Category
PDF icon FigureE.pdf
Figure E
Length of Imprisonment in Each General Crime Category
PDF icon Table15.pdf
Table 15
Offenders Receiving Fines and Restitution in Each Primary Offense Category
PDF icon Table16.pdf
Table 16
Type of Sentence Imposed on Offenders in Each Sentencing Zone
PDF icon FigureF.pdf
Figure F
Imprisonment Rates of Offenders Eligible for Non-Prison Sentences in Selected Offense Types

Guideline Application
PDF icon Table17.pdf
Table 17
Offenders Sentenced Under Each Chapter Two Guideline
PDF icon Table18.pdf
Table 18
Offenders Receiving Each Chapter Three Guideline Adjustment
PDF icon Table19.pdf
Table 19
Offenders Receiving Acceptance of Responsibility Reductions in Each Primary Offense Category
PDF icon Table20.pdf
Table 20
Offenders Receiving Chapter Four Criminal History Points
PDF icon Table21.pdf
Table 21
Offenders in Each Offense Level and Criminal History Category
PDF icon Table22.pdf
Table 22
Offenders Receiving Career Offender Armed Career Criminal Adjustments in Each Primary Offense Category
PDF icon Table23.pdf
Table 23
Offenders in Each Guideline Sentencing Range

Departures and Sentences Within the Guideline Range
PDF icon TableN.pdf
Table N
National Comparison of Sentence Imposed and Position Relative to the Guideline Range
PDF icon TableN-DC.pdf
Table N-DC
Comparison of Sentence Imposed and Position Relative to the Guideline Range by Circuit (DC Circuit)
PDF icon TableN-1.pdf
Table N-1
Comparison of Sentence Imposed and Position Relative to the Guideline Range by Circuit (1st Circuit)
PDF icon TableN-2.pdf
Table N-2
Comparison of Sentence Imposed and Position Relative to the Guideline Range by Circuit (2nd Circuit)
PDF icon TableN-3.pdf
Table N-3
Comparison of Sentence Imposed and Position Relative to the Guideline Range by Circuit (3rd Circuit)
PDF icon TableN-4.pdf
Table N-4
Comparison of Sentence Imposed and Position Relative to the Guideline Range by Circuit (4th Circuit)
PDF icon TableN-5.pdf
Table N-5
Comparison of Sentence Imposed and Position Relative to the Guideline Range by Circuit (5th Circuit)
PDF icon TableN-6.pdf
Table N-6
Comparison of Sentence Imposed and Position Relative to the Guideline Range by Circuit (6th Circuit)
PDF icon TableN-7.pdf
Table N-7
Comparison of Sentence Imposed and Position Relative to the Guideline Range by Circuit (7th Circuit)
PDF icon TableN-8.pdf
Table N-8
Comparison of Sentence Imposed and Position Relative to the Guideline Range by Circuit (8th Circuit)
PDF icon TableN-9.pdf
Table N-9
Comparison of Sentence Imposed and Position Relative to the Guideline Range by Circuit (9th Circuit)
PDF icon TableN-10.pdf
Table N-10
Comparison of Sentence Imposed and Position Relative to the Guideline Range by Circuit (10th Circuit)
PDF icon TableN-11.pdf
Table N-11
Comparison of Sentence Imposed and Position Relative to the Guideline Range by Circuit (11th Circuit)
PDF icon FigureG.pdf
Figure G
Comparison of Sentence Imposed and Position of Sentence Relative to the Guideline Range by Year
PDF icon Table24.pdf
Table 24
Reasons Given by Sentencing Courts for Upward Departures from the Guideline Range
PDF icon Table24a.pdf
Table 24A
Reasons Given by Sentencing Courts for Upward Departures With Booker 18 U S C 3553
PDF icon Table24b.pdf
Table 24B
Reasons Given by Sentencing Courts for Sentences Above the Guideline Range With Booker 18 U S C 3553
PDF icon Table25.pdf
Table 25
Reasons Given by Sentencing Courts for Downward Departures from the Guideline Range
PDF icon Table25a.pdf
Table 25A
Reasons Given by Sentencing Courts for Downward Departures With Booker 18 U S C 3553
PDF icon Table25b.pdf
Table 25B
Reasons Given by Sentencing Courts for Sentences Below the Guideline Range With Booker 18 U S C 3553
PDF icon Table26.pdf
Table 26
Sentences Relative to the Guideline Range by Circuit and District
PDF icon Table27.pdf
Table 27
Sentences Relative to the Guideline Range by Each Primary Offense Category
PDF icon Table27a.pdf
Table 27A
Sentences Relative to the Guideline Range by Each Primary Offense Category
PDF icon Table28.pdf
Table 28
Sentences Relative to the Guideline Range by Each Primary Sentencing Guideline
PDF icon Table28a.pdf
Table 28A
Attribution Category for Cases Outside of the Guideline Range
PDF icon Table29.pdf
Table 29
Within Range Cases Position of Sentence for Offenders in Each Primary Offense Category
PDF icon FigureH.pdf
Figure H
Within Range Cases Position of Sentence for Offenders in Selected Primary Offense Categories
PDF icon Table30.pdf
Table 30
5K1 1 Substantial Assistance Departure Cases Degree of Decrease for Offenders in Each Primary Offense Category
PDF icon Table30a.pdf
Table 30A
5K3 1 Early Disposition Program Departure Cases Degree of Decrease for Offenders in Each Primary Offense Category
PDF icon Table31.pdf
Table 31
Other Government Sponsored Below Range Cases Degree of Decrease for Offenders in Each Primary Offense Category
PDF icon Table31a.pdf
Table 31A
Downward Departures from Guideline Range Degree of Decrease for Offenders in Each Primary Offense Category
PDF icon Table31b.pdf
Table 31B
Downward Departures With Booker 18 U S C 3553 Degree of Decrease for Offenders in Each Primary Offense Category
PDF icon Table31c.pdf
Table 31C
Below Guideline Range With Booker 18 U S C 3553 Degree of Decrease for Offenders in Each Primary Offense Category
PDF icon Table31d.pdf
Table 31D
All Remaining Below Guideline Range Cases Degree of Decrease for Offenders in Each Primary Offense Category
PDF icon Table32.pdf
Table 32
Upward Departures from Guideline Range Degree of Increase for Offenders in Each Primary Offense Category
PDF icon Table32a.pdf
Table 32A
Upward Departures With Booker 18 U S C 3553 Degree of Increase for Offenders in Each Primary Offense Category
PDF icon Table32b.pdf
Table 32B
Above Guideline Range With Booker 18 U S C 3553 Degree of Increase for Offenders in Each Primary Offense Category
PDF icon Table32c.pdf
Table 32C
All Remaining Above Guideline Range Cases Degree of Increase for Offenders In Each Primary Offense Category

Drug Cases
PDF icon FigureI.pdf
Figure I
Distribution of Guideline Drug Offenses
PDF icon Table33.pdf
Table 33
Primary Drug Type of Offenders Sentenced Under Drug Guidelines
PDF icon Table34.pdf
Table 34
Race of Drug Offenders in Each Drug Type
PDF icon Table35.pdf
Table 35
Gender of Drug Offenders in Each Drug Type
PDF icon Table36.pdf
Table 36
Citizenship of Drug Offenders in Each Drug Type
PDF icon Table37.pdf
Table 37
Criminal History Category of Drug Offenders in Each Drug Type
PDF icon Table38.pdf
Table 38
Plea and Trial Rates of Drug Offenders in Each Drug Type
PDF icon Table39.pdf
Table 39
Weapon Involvement of Drug Offenders in Each Drug Type
PDF icon Table40.pdf
Table 40
Role Adjustment of Drug Offenders in Each Drug Type
PDF icon Table41.pdf
Table 41
Acceptance of Responsibility of Drug Offenders in Each Drug Type
PDF icon Table42a.pdf
Table 42a
Base Offense Levels for Drug Trafficking in Each Drug Type
PDF icon Table43.pdf
Table 43
Drug Offenders Receiving Mandatory Minimums in Each Drug Type
PDF icon Table44.pdf
Table 44
Drug Offenders Receiving Safety Valve and Mandatory Minimums in Each Drug Type
PDF icon Table45.pdf
Table 45
Sentences Relative to the Guideline Range for Drug Offenders in Each Drug Type
PDF icon FigureJ.pdf
Figure J
Length of Imprisonment in Each Drug Type
PDF icon FigureK.pdf
Figure K
Distribution of Drug Type
PDF icon FigureL.pdf
Figure L
Length of Imprisonment in Each Drug Type

Immigration Cases
PDF icon Table46.pdf
Table 46
Demographic and Offense Information for Immigration Offenses
PDF icon Table47.pdf
Table 47
Age of Offenders Sentenced Under Immigration Guidelines
PDF icon Table48.pdf
Table 48
Citizenship of Offenders Sentenced Under Immigration Guidelines
PDF icon Table49.pdf
Table 49
Criminal History Category and Citizenship of Offenders Sentenced Under Immigration Guidelines
PDF icon Table50.pdf
Table 50
Sentence Length of Offenders Sentenced Under Immigration Guidelines by Sentence Relative to the Guideline Range

Organizational Sentencing Practices
PDF icon Table51.pdf
Table 51
Organizations Receiving Fines or Restitution by Primary Offense Category
PDF icon Table52.pdf
Table 52
Fine or Restitution Imposed on Sentenced Organizations by Primary Offense Category
PDF icon Table53.pdf
Table 53
Chapter Eight Organizational Sentencing Components
PDF icon Table54.pdf
Table 54
Organizations Sentenced Under Chapter Eight Culpability Factors

Sentencing Appeals
PDF icon Table55.pdf
Table 55
Types of Appeal in Each Circuit and District
PDF icon FigureM.pdf
Figure M
Type and Disposition of Appeals Cases
PDF icon Table56.pdf
Table 56
Disposition of Defendant Sentencing Appeals in Each Circuit and District
PDF icon Table56a.pdf
Table 56A
Disposition of Government Sentencing Appeals in Each Circuit and District
PDF icon Table57.pdf
Table 57
Guideline Involved in Cases Appealed by the Defendant
PDF icon Table58.pdf
Table 58
Guideline Involved in Cases Appealed by the Government
PDF icon Table59.pdf
Table 59
Sentencing Issues Appealed for Selected Guidelines and Reasonableness Issues
PDF icon Table60.pdf
Table 60
Offense and Offender Characteristics in Appeals Cases
PDF icon Table61.pdf
Table 61
Sentence Length for Defendants in Appeals Cases in Each Primary Offense Category

Resentencing and Other Modifications of Sentence
PDF icon Table62.pdf
Table 62
Type of Resentencing or Other Modification of Sentence in Each Circuit and District
PDF icon FigureN.pdf
Figure N
Distribution of Offenders by Type of Resentencing or Other Modification of Sentence

Appendix A
PDF icon Appendix_A.pdf
Descriptions of Datafiles Variables and Footnotes

Appendix B
Selected Sentencing Statistics by District
PDF icon stats_Nat.pdf
Table
National
PDF icon stats_AK.pdf
Table
Alaska
PDF icon stats_ALM.pdf
Table
Alabama Middle
PDF icon stats_ALN.pdf
Table
Alabama Northern
PDF icon stats_ALS.pdf
Table
Alabama Southern
PDF icon stats_ARE.pdf
Table
Arkansas Eastern
PDF icon stats_ARW.pdf
Table
Arkansas Western
PDF icon stats_AZ.pdf
Table
Arizona
PDF icon stats_CAC.pdf
Table
California Central
PDF icon stats_CAE.pdf
Table
California Eastern
PDF icon stats_CAN.pdf
Table
California Northern
PDF icon stats_CAS.pdf
Table
California Southern
PDF icon stats_CO.pdf
Table
Colorado
PDF icon stats_CT.pdf
Table
Connecticut
PDF icon stats_DC.pdf
Table
District of Columbia
PDF icon stats_DE.pdf
Table
Delaware
PDF icon stats_FLM.pdf
Table
Florida Middle
PDF icon stats_FLN.pdf
Table
Florida Northern
PDF icon stats_FLS.pdf
Table
Florida Southern
PDF icon stats_GAM.pdf
Table
Georgia Middle
PDF icon stats_GAN.pdf
Table
Georgia Northern
PDF icon stats_GAS.pdf
Table
Georgia Southern
PDF icon stats_GU.pdf
Table
Guam
PDF icon stats_HI.pdf
Table
Hawaii
PDF icon stats_IAN.pdf
Table
Iowa Northern
PDF icon stats_IAS.pdf
Table
Iowa Southern
PDF icon stats_ID.pdf
Table
Idaho
PDF icon stats_ILC.pdf
Table
Illinois Central
PDF icon stats_ILN.pdf
Table
Illinois Northern
PDF icon stats_ILS.pdf
Table
Illinois Southern
PDF icon stats_INN.pdf
Table
Indiana Northern
PDF icon stats_INS.pdf
Table
Indiana Southern
PDF icon stats_KS.pdf
Table
Kansas
PDF icon stats_KYE.pdf
Table
Kentucky Eastern
PDF icon stats_KYW.pdf
Table
Kentucky Western
PDF icon stats_LAE.pdf
Table
Louisiana Eastern
PDF icon stats_LAM.pdf
Table
Louisiana Middle
PDF icon stats_LAW.pdf
Table
Louisiana Western
PDF icon stats_MA.pdf
Table
Massachusetts
PDF icon stats_MD.pdf
Table
Maryland
PDF icon stats_ME.pdf
Table
Maine
PDF icon stats_MIE.pdf
Table
Michigan Eastern
PDF icon stats_MIW.pdf
Table
Michigan Western
PDF icon stats_MN.pdf
Table
Minnesota
PDF icon stats_MOE.pdf
Table
Missouri Eastern
PDF icon stats_MOW.pdf
Table
Missouri Western
PDF icon stats_MSN.pdf
Table
Mississippi Northern
PDF icon stats_MSS.pdf
Table
Mississippi Southern
PDF icon stats_MT.pdf
Table
Montana
PDF icon stats_NCE.pdf
Table
North Carolina Eastern
PDF icon stats_NCM.pdf
Table
North Carolina Middle
PDF icon stats_NCW.pdf
Table
North Carolina Western
PDF icon stats_ND.pdf
Table
North Dakota
PDF icon stats_NE.pdf
Table
Nebraska
PDF icon stats_NH.pdf
Table
New Hampshire
PDF icon stats_NJ.pdf
Table
New Jersey
PDF icon stats_NM.pdf
Table
New Mexico
PDF icon stats_MP.pdf
Table
Northern Mariana Islands
PDF icon stats_NV.pdf
Table
Nevada
PDF icon stats_NYE.pdf
Table
New York Eastern
PDF icon stats_NYN.pdf
Table
New York Northern
PDF icon stats_NYS.pdf
Table
New York Southern
PDF icon stats_NYW.pdf
Table
New York Western
PDF icon stats_OHN.pdf
Table
Ohio Northern
PDF icon stats_OHS.pdf
Table
Ohio Southern
PDF icon stats_OKE.pdf
Table
Oklahoma Eastern
PDF icon stats_OKN.pdf
Table
Oklahoma Northern
PDF icon stats_OKW.pdf
Table
Oklahoma Western
PDF icon stats_OR.pdf
Table
Oregon
PDF icon stats_PAE.pdf
Table
Pennsylvania Eastern
PDF icon stats_PAM.pdf
Table
Pennsylvania Middle
PDF icon stats_PAW.pdf
Table
Pennsylvania Western
PDF icon stats_PR.pdf
Table
Puerto Rico
PDF icon stats_RI.pdf
Table
Rhode Island
PDF icon stats_SC.pdf
Table
South Carolina
PDF icon stats_SD.pdf
Table
South Dakota
PDF icon stats_TNE.pdf
Table
Tennessee Eastern
PDF icon stats_TNM.pdf
Table
Tennessee Middle
PDF icon stats_TNW.pdf
Table
Tennessee Western
PDF icon stats_TXE.pdf
Table
Texas Eastern
PDF icon stats_TXN.pdf
Table
Texas Northern
PDF icon stats_TXS.pdf
Table
Texas Southern
PDF icon stats_TXW.pdf
Table
Texas Western
PDF icon stats_UT.pdf
Table
Utah
PDF icon stats_VAE.pdf
Table
Virginia Eastern
PDF icon stats_VAW.pdf
Table
Virginia Western
PDF icon stats_VI.pdf
Table
Virgin Islands
PDF icon stats_VT.pdf
Table
Vermont
PDF icon stats_WAE.pdf
Table
Washington Eastern
PDF icon stats_WAW.pdf
Table
Washington Western
PDF icon stats_WIE.pdf
Table
Wisconsin Eastern
PDF icon stats_WIW.pdf
Table
Wisconsin Western
PDF icon stats_WVN.pdf
Table
West Virginia Northern
PDF icon stats_WVS.pdf
Table
West Virginia Southern
PDF icon stats_WY.pdf
Table
Wyoming
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