Federal Sentencing Guidelines Chart

In the federal criminal justice system, district judges use the advisory Federal Sentencing Guidelines to help them determine a defendant’s sentence. Due to their advisory nature, district judges do not have to impose the sentence indicated by the Guidelines. Rather, judges can consider other factors that vary upward or downward from the Guidelines range. However, the Federal Sentencing Guidelines can give defendants a good idea of their potential sentencing exposure when facing prosecution for federal crimes.

How the Federal Sentencing Guidelines Work

The Federal Sentencing Guidelines provide a sentencing range based on a defendant’s offense level and criminal history category. The offense level corresponds to the nature and severity of the defendant’s offense of conviction. Every federal crime has a designated offense level, and federal courts can increase the offense level due to aggravating circumstances in the defendant’s offense, such as the use of a firearm or causing severe injury or death. More heinous crimes have higher offense levels.

The criminal history category reflects the length and severity of a defendant’s criminal record. Defendants with longer criminal records or records that include significant offenses will have a higher criminal history category.

After determining a defendant’s offense level and criminal history category, the federal court will use the Federal Sentencing Guidelines Chart to identify the advisory sentencing range.

Factors That Can Affect Federal Sentencing

Although imposing a sentence within the advisory Guidelines range typically enjoys a presumption of reasonableness, courts may vary from the Guidelines range for various reasons. First, a federal court may sentence outside the Guidelines range when the range falls below the statutorily mandated minimum sentence for the offense of conviction or when the Guidelines propose a sentencing range higher than the statutory maximum sentence.

Federal courts must also consider sentencing factors outlined in federal law, which include:

• The nature and circumstances of the offense
• The history and characteristics of the defendant
• The need for the sentence to reflect the seriousness of the offense, promote respect for the law, provide just punishment, adequately deter future criminal conduct, protect the public from future criminal behavior by the defendant, and provide the defendant with correctional treatment
• The available sentencing options
• The need to avoid unwarranted sentencing disparities between similarly situated defendants
• Relevant public policy statements by the Federal Sentencing Commission
• The need to provide restitution to victims

After consideration of these factors, a court may decide to sentence above or below the Guidelines range. However, the law requires federal judges to provide a statement of reasons explaining the judge’s reasoning for imposing a particular sentence on a defendant.

Contact a Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer Today

If you’re facing federal prosecution, an experienced federal criminal defense attorney can help you protect your rights, reputation, and future. Contact DiCaudo, Pitchford & Yoder today for a free, confidential consultation with a federal criminal defense attorney serving the Akron area. We will explain how our team can pursue a favorable resolution to your federal charges and seek to avoid the harshest consequences of a conviction.