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United States Sentencing Commission

Guidelines
2016 Guidelines Manual

Archive

Sentencing Table

Amendments

Organizational Guidelines

Primers
Relevant information

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
2015 Sourcebook

Archive

Interactive Sourcebook

Quick Facts

DATA REPORTS

By Geography

By Guideline

By Quarter

Prison Impact Reports

Retroactivity Reports

Research Reports

Datafiles
Reports to the Congress

List of All Publications
Relevant information

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
Policymaking
Meetings & Hearings

Public Comment

Federal Register Notices
Relevant information

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
Applying the Guidelines

Sentencing Case Law

Sentencing Policy

National Seminars

Archive

Continuing Legal Education
Relevant information

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 materials on guideline application, background information on some of the Commission’s policy decisions, and summaries of sentencing-related case law.
About
2015 Annual Report

Archive
Who We are

Commissioners

Former Commissioners

Organization

Advisory Groups

News

Press Releases

Testimony & Speeches

Employment
Relevant information

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.

In this section, learn about the Commission’s mission, structure, and ongoing work.
By Topic
Featured

2014 Drug Amendment

Alternatives to Incarceration

Bipartisan Budget Act

Compassionate Release

Crimes of Violence

Data Briefings

Drug Trafficking

e-Learning

Economic Crime

Fair Sentencing Act

First Offenders

Illegal Reentry

Immigration

Mandatory Minimums

Recidivism

Retroactivity

Tribal Issues

U.S. v. Booker

Video

Worksheets

Year in Review
View All

Compassionate Release

Clear Filters

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

Final Priorities

Proposed Amendments

Proposed Priorities

Topic

2014 Drug Amendment

Acceptance of Responsibility

Advisory Groups

Alien Smuggling

Alternatives to Incarceration

Amendments

Animal Fighting

Antitrust

Categorical Approach

Chapter Three adjustments

Child Pornography

Circuit

Courses

Crack Cocaine

Crimes of Violence

Criminal History

Departures/Variances

Designer Drugs

Drug Trafficking

Drugs

Early Disposition Program

Economic Crime

Fair Sentencing Act

Federal Register Notice

Final Amendments

Firearms

Fraud

Historical Development of the Guidelines

Illegal Reentry

Immigration

Intellectual Property

Legislation

Loss

Mandatory Minimums

Manslaughter

Methamphetamine

News

Organizations

Oxycodone

Powder Cocaine

Press Releases

Priorities

Probation

Proposed Amendments

Public Comment

Public Corruption

Public Hearings

Public Meetings

Recidivism

Relevant Conduct

Role in the Offense

Rules of Practice and Procedure

Safety Valve

Sentencing Table

Sex Offenses

Simplification

Supervised Release

Terrorism

Training

Tribal Issues

U.S. v. Booker

Victims

Video

e-Learning

Filters

2016 Guideline Amendments

November 01, 2016

Topic:

Alien Smuggling

Animal Fighting

Child Pornography

Compassionate Release

Courses

e-Learning

Illegal Reentry

Immigration

Probation

Supervised Release

Training

Learn more

"Reader-Friendly" Version of Amendments (effective November 1, 2016)

April 28, 2016

Amendment Cycle:

Adopted Amendments

Learn more

Federal Register Notice: Submission of 2016 Amendments to Congress

April 28, 2016

Amendment Cycle:

Adopted Amendments

Topic:

Alien Smuggling

Animal Fighting

Compassionate Release

Federal Register Notice

Final Amendments

Illegal Reentry

Immigration

Learn more

April 15, 2016

Press Releases

Commission votes to promulgate amendments to the federal sentencing guidelines, including amendments to the immigration, compassionate release, and animal fighting guidelines.

Amendment Cycle:

Adopted Amendments

Learn more

Public Meeting - April 15, 2016

April 15, 2016

Topic:

Alien Smuggling

Amendments

Animal Fighting

Child Pornography

Compassionate Release

Final Amendments

Illegal Reentry

Immigration

Probation

Public Meetings

Supervised Release

Video

Learn more

Public Comment from March 21, 2016

March 21, 2016

Amendment Cycle:

Proposed Amendments

Topic:

Alien Smuggling

Animal Fighting

Categorical Approach

Compassionate Release

Illegal Reentry

Immigration

Probation

Proposed Amendments

Public Comment

Supervised Release

Learn more

Public Hearing - February 17, 2016

February 17, 2016

A public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, February 17, 2016, from 8:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. to receive testimony from invited witnesses on compassionate release and conditions of supervision.

Amendment Cycle:

Proposed Amendments

Learn more

Public Hearing - February 17, 2016

February 17, 2016

Topic:

Compassionate Release

Probation

Proposed Amendments

Public Hearings

Supervised Release

Video

Learn more

Federal Register Notice: Proposed 2016 Amendments, Request for Comment

January 15, 2016

Amendment Cycle:

Proposed Amendments

Topic:

Immigration

Illegal Reentry

Legislation

Firearms

Federal Register Notice

Public Comment

Proposed Amendments

Child Pornography

Circuit

Compassionate Release

Alien Smuggling

Sex Offenses

Supervised Release

Learn more

"Reader-Friendly" Version of Proposed 2016 Amendments to the Federal Sentencing Guidelines

January 08, 2016

Amendment Cycle:

Proposed Amendments

Learn more

Public Meeting - January 8, 2016

January 08, 2016

A public meeting of the Commission is scheduled for Friday, January 8, 2016, at 1:00 p.m. This meeting will be streamed live. Commissioners may vote to promulgate the proposed "crime of violence" amendment to the guidelines. They may also vote to publish other proposed amendments.

Amendment Cycle:

Proposed Amendments

Learn more

January 8, 2016

Press Releases

Commissioners voted at a public meeting to promulgate an amendment to the guideline definition of a "crime of violence." Commissioners also voted to publish additional proposed guideline amendments. Commission seeks comment on revisions to immigration related guidelines, compassionate release, etc.

Amendment Cycle:

Proposed Amendments

Adopted Amendments

Learn more

Federal Register Notice of Final 2016 Priorities

August 07, 2015

Amendment Cycle:

Final Priorities

Topic:

Child Pornography

Circuit

Compassionate Release

Crimes of Violence

Criminal History

Federal Register Notice

Immigration

Legislation

Mandatory Minimums

Priorities

Probation

Recidivism

Simplification

Supervised Release

U.S. v. Booker

Learn more

Public Comment from July 29, 2014

July 29, 2014

Amendment Cycle:

Proposed Priorities

Topic:

Alternatives to Incarceration

Child Pornography

Circuit

Compassionate Release

Crimes of Violence

Economic Crime

Antitrust

Fair Sentencing Act

Immigration

Legislation

Mandatory Minimums

Priorities

Probation

Public Comment

Role in the Offense

Safety Valve

Simplification

Supervised Release

U.S. v. Booker

Learn more

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

June 02, 2014

Amendment Cycle:

Proposed Priorities

Topic:

Alternatives to Incarceration

Child Pornography

Circuit

Compassionate Release

Crimes of Violence

Criminal History

Departures/Variances

Drugs

Crack Cocaine

Drug Trafficking

Powder Cocaine

Economic Crime

Fair Sentencing Act

Federal Register Notice

Legislation

Mandatory Minimums

Priorities

Probation

Public Comment

Recidivism

Relevant Conduct

Simplification

Supervised Release

Learn more

Federal Register Notice of Final 2013 Priorities

August 21, 2013

Amendment Cycle:

Final Priorities

Topic:

Child Pornography

Circuit

Compassionate Release

Crimes of Violence

Drugs

Drug Trafficking

Economic Crime

Federal Register Notice

Legislation

Mandatory Minimums

Priorities

Probation

Recidivism

Supervised Release

U.S. v. Booker

Learn more

Public Comment from August 1, 2013

August 01, 2013

Amendment Cycle:

Proposed Priorities

Topic:

Child Pornography

Circuit

Compassionate Release

Drugs

Economic Crime

Firearms

Legislation

Mandatory Minimums

Priorities

Probation

Public Comment

Recidivism

Supervised Release

U.S. v. Booker

Learn more

Federal Register Notice of Proposed Priorities and Request for Public Comment

January 01, 2013

Amendment Cycle:

Proposed Priorities

Topic:

2014 Drug Amendment

Child Pornography

Circuit

Compassionate Release

Crimes of Violence

Drugs

Economic Crime

Federal Register Notice

Firearms

Legislation

Loss

Mandatory Minimums

Priorities

Probation

Public Comment

Recidivism

Supervised Release

U.S. v. Booker

Learn more

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

May 01, 2007

Amendment Cycle:

Adopted Amendments

Learn more

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

January 30, 2007

Amendment Cycle:

Proposed Amendments

Topic:

Compassionate Release

Criminal History

Drugs

Crack Cocaine

Drug Trafficking

Federal Register Notice

Immigration

Intellectual Property

Legislation

Proposed Amendments

Sex Offenses

Terrorism

Learn more

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

January 30, 2007

Amendment Cycle:

Proposed Amendments

Learn more

"Reader-Friendly" Version of Amendments to the Sentencing Guidelines

May 18, 2006

Amendment Cycle:

Adopted Amendments

Learn more

"Reader-Friendly" Version of the Proposed 2006 Guideline Amendments

January 27, 2006

Amendment Cycle:

Proposed Amendments

Learn more

Federal Register Notice of Proposed 2004 Priorities

June 28, 2004

Amendment Cycle:

Proposed Priorities

Topic:

Alien Smuggling

Circuit

Compassionate Release

Criminal History

Departures/Variances

Drugs

Crack Cocaine

Drug Trafficking

Powder Cocaine

Early Disposition Program

Federal Register Notice

Historical Development of the Guidelines

Immigration

Legislation

Priorities

Rules of Practice and Procedure

Sentencing Table

Learn more

Federal Register Notice of Final 2003 Priorities

September 02, 2003

Amendment Cycle:

Final Priorities

Topic:

Advisory Groups

Alien Smuggling

Child Pornography

Compassionate Release

Criminal History

Departures/Variances

Drugs

Crack Cocaine

Drug Trafficking

Powder Cocaine

Federal Register Notice

Historical Development of the Guidelines

Immigration

Legislation

Manslaughter

Organizations

Priorities

Public Corruption

Sex Offenses

Terrorism

Tribal Issues

Learn more

Federal Register Notice of Proposed 2003 Priorities, Request for Comment

July 01, 2003

Amendment Cycle:

Proposed Priorities

Topic:

Alien Smuggling

Child Pornography

Compassionate Release

Criminal History

Departures/Variances

Federal Register Notice

Historical Development of the Guidelines

Immigration

Legislation

Manslaughter

Organizations

Priorities

Public Corruption

Sex Offenses

Tribal Issues

Learn more

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

June 21, 2002

Amendment Cycle:

Proposed Priorities

Topic:

Acceptance of Responsibility

Compassionate Release

Criminal History

Drugs

Oxycodone

Federal Register Notice

Historical Development of the Guidelines

Legislation

Priorities

Public Corruption

Terrorism

Learn more

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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