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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.
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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.

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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
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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.
Glossary of Sentencing Terms

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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

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...

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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

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...

Infographic

Full Report

Learn more

Mandatory Minimum Penalties

Quick Facts

May 2020

Download the PDF

Learn more

Aggravated Identity Theft

Quick Facts

May 2020

Download the PDF

Learn more

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

Amendment Cycle:

Proposed Amendments

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

Learn more

Public Comment from February 19, 2019

February 2019

Amendment Cycle:

Proposed Amendments

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

Learn more

Mandatory Minimum Penalties for Federal Sex Offenses

January 2019

(January 2019) This publication examines the application of mandatory minimum penalties specific to federal sex...

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

Report-At-A-Glance

January 2019

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

Handout

Full Report

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Federal Register Notice of Proposed 2019 Amendments

December 2018

Amendment Cycle:

Proposed Amendments

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...

Amendment Cycle:

Proposed Amendments

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Proposed 2019 Amendments to the Federal Sentencing Guidelines

December 2018

Amendment Cycle:

Proposed Amendments

"Reader-Friendly" Proposed Amendments

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Mandatory Minimum Penalties for Federal Identity Theft Offenses

September 2018

(September 2018) This publication examines the application of mandatory minimum penalties specific to identity theft...

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Report At A Glance: Federal ID Theft Mandatory Minimum Penalties

Report-At-A-Glance

September 2018

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

Handout

Full Report

Learn more

Federal Register Notice of Final 2018-2019 Priorities

August 2018

Amendment Cycle:

Final Priorities

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

Learn more

August 23, 2018

Press Releases

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

Amendment Cycle:

Final Priorities

Learn more

Public Comment from August 10, 2018

August 2018

Amendment Cycle:

Proposed Priorities

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

Learn more

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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Report At A Glance: 851 Enhancements

Report-At-A-Glance

July 2018

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

Handout

Full Report

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Federal Register Notice of Proposed 2018-2019 Priorities

June 2018

Amendment Cycle:

Proposed Priorities

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

Learn more

Mandatory Minimum Penalties for Firearms Offenses in the Federal System

March 2018

(March 2018) Using fiscal year 2016 data, this publication includes analysis similar to that in the 2017 Overview...

Learn more

Report At A Glance: Federal Gun Mandatory Minimum Penalties

Report-At-A-Glance

March 2018

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

Handout

Full Report

Learn more

Report At A Glance: Federal Drug Mandatory Minimum Penalties

Report-At-A-Glance

November 2017

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

Handout

Full Report

Learn more

Mandatory Minimum Penalties for Drug Offenses in the Federal System

October 2017

(October 2017) Using fiscal year 2016 data, this publication includes analysis similar to that in the 2017 Overview...

Learn more

An Analysis of the Implementation of the 2014 Clemency Initiative

September 2017

(September 2017) This report analyzes sentence commutations granted under the 2014 Clemency Initiative. The Commission...

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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

Learn more

August 17, 2017

Press Releases

U.S. Sentencing Commission announces its list of 2017-2018 policy priorities, proposes "holdover" amendments.

Amendment Cycle:

Final Priorities

Proposed Amendments

Learn more

Public Comment from July 31, 2017

July 2017

Amendment Cycle:

Proposed Priorities

Learn more

2017 Overview of Mandatory Minimum Penalties in the Federal Criminal Justice System

July 2017

(July 2017) This report assesses the impact of mandatory minimum penalties on federal sentencing. It continues the...

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July 11, 2017

Press Releases

U.S. Sentencing Commission releases new publication, 2017 Overview of Mandatory Minimum Penalties in the Federal...

Learn more

Report At A Glance: Federal Mandatory Minimum Penalties

Report-At-A-Glance

July 2017

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

Handout

Full Report

Learn more

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...

Learn more

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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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...

Learn more

August 18, 2016

Press Releases

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

Amendment Cycle:

Final Priorities

Learn more

Public Comment from July 25, 2016

July 2016

Amendment Cycle:

Proposed Priorities

Learn more

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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November 18, 2015

Press Releases

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

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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,...

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August 7, 2015

Press Releases

Commission proposes changes to existing guideline definitions of a "crime of violence," finalizes other priorities for...

Amendment Cycle:

Final Priorities

Proposed Amendments

Learn more

Public Comment from July 27, 2015

July 2015

Amendment Cycle:

Proposed Priorities

Learn more

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...

Learn more

Federal Register Notice of Final 2014 Priorities

August 2014

Amendment Cycle:

Final Priorities

Learn more

August 14, 2014

Press Releases

- U.S. Sentencing Commission unanimously approved its list of 2014-2015 priorities, including consideration of federal...

Amendment Cycle:

Final Priorities

Learn more

Public Comment from July 29, 2014

July 2014

Amendment Cycle:

Proposed Priorities

Learn more

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

June 2014

Amendment Cycle:

Proposed Priorities

Learn more

Public Comment from March 26, 2014

March 2014

Amendment Cycle:

Proposed Amendments

Learn more

September 18, 2013

Press Releases

– The Commission submits a statement for the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing titled âReevaluating the...

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Federal Register Notice of Final 2013 Priorities

August 2013

Amendment Cycle:

Final Priorities

Learn more

August 15, 2013

Press Releases

– The Commission adopts is policy priorities for the upcoming amendment cycle.

Amendment Cycle:

Proposed Priorities

Learn more

Public Comment from August 1, 2013

August 2013

Amendment Cycle:

Proposed Priorities

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Federal Register Notice of Proposed Priorities and Request for Public Comment

January 2013

Amendment Cycle:

Proposed Priorities

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Federal Register Notice of Final 2012 Priorities

August 2012

Amendment Cycle:

Final Priorities

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Public Comment from August 15, 2012

August 2012

Amendment Cycle:

Proposed Priorities

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Federal Register Notice of Proposed 2012 Priorities and Request for Public Comment

January 2012

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October 31, 2011

Press Releases

- Commission submits comprehensive report on mandatory minimum penalties to Congress.

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2011 Report to the Congress: Mandatory Minimum Penalties in the Federal Criminal Justice System

October 2011

This report assesses the impact of mandatory minimum penalties on federal sentencing, particularly in light of the...

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Federal Register Notice of Final 2011 Priorities

September 2011

Amendment Cycle:

Final Priorities

Learn more

Public Comment from August 26, 2011

August 2011

Amendment Cycle:

Proposed Priorities

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Federal Register Notice of Proposed 2011 Priorities and Request for Public Comment

January 2011

Amendment Cycle:

Proposed Priorities

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Federal Register Notice of Final 2010 Priorities

September 2010

Amendment Cycle:

Final Priorities

Learn more

Public Comment from August 25, 2010

August 2010

Amendment Cycle:

Proposed Priorities

Learn more

May 18, 2010

Press Releases

- Commission announces hearing on statutory mandatory minimum penalties and the federal sentencing system.

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Federal Register Notice of Proposed 2010 Priorities and Request for Public Comment

January 2010

Amendment Cycle:

Proposed Priorities

Learn more

2009 Report to the Congress: Federal Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Penalties

July 2009

On July 10, 2009, the Sentencing Commission submitted a report on federal mandatory minimum sentencing penalties to the...

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Federal Register Notice of Final 2007 Priorities

September 2007

Amendment Cycle:

Proposed Priorities

Learn more

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

January 2000

Amendment Cycle:

Proposed Amendments

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 1999

Amendment Cycle:

Proposed Priorities

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

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1995 Report to the Congress: Cocaine and Federal Sentencing Policy

May 1995

This is the United States Sentencing Commission’s first report to Congress on the subject of federal cocaine sentencing...

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1991 Report to the Congress: Mandatory Minimum Penalties in the Federal Criminal Justice System

August 1991

In 1990, Congress formally directed the Sentencing Commission to respond to a series of questions concerning the...

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USSC HelpLine

The HelpLine assists practitioners in applying the guidelines.

Disclaimer

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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