• (February 3, 2017) This e-Learning course provides an overview of the federal sentencing system. It is based on the primer, Federal Sentencing: The Basics,  published in September 2015.

  • (January 30, 2017) This data report provides information on motions for retroactive sentence reductions under Amendment 782, the 2014 amendment reducing by two levels the offense levels associated with drug quantities in the federal sentencing guidelines. This report includes motions decided through December 31, 2016.

  • The Commission is seeking public comment on proposed amendments to the federal sentencing guidelines. Written comment should be received by the Commission not later than February 20, 2017. Written reply comments, which may only respond to issues raised in the original comment period, should be received by the Commission no later than March 10, 2017.

  • (January 10, 2017) Two data briefings are available to assist the public in providing public comment on proposed amendments related to alternatives to incarceration for first offenders and the treatment of youthful offenders under the federal sentencing guidelines. Watch them here and here.

  • (January 3, 2017) Circuit Judge William H. Pryor, Jr. will serve as Acting Chair of the Commission, as the term of the former Chair, Chief Judge Patti B. Saris expired at the end of the 114th congressional session. Judge Pryor serves on the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. 

  • The Commission has begun a two-year study of offenses involving MDMA/Ecstasy, synthetic cannabinoids, and synthetic cathinones. As part of this study, the Commission is soliciting input from the public on related issues. Comment should be received no later than March 10, 2017.

About the Commission

The U.S. Sentencing Commission, a bipartisan, independent agency located in the judicial branch of government, was created by Congress in 1984 to reduce sentencing disparities and promote transparency and proportionality in sentencing.

The Commission collects, analyzes, and distributes a broad array of information on federal sentencing practices, continuously establishing and amending sentencing guidelines for the judicial branch and assisting the other branches in developing effective and efficient crime policy.

 

  • Research and Data
    Retroactivity Data for 2014 Drug Amendment

    (January 30, 2017) This report provides information on motions for a reduced sentence pursuant to the retroactive application of Amendment 782, which reduced the drug quantity table by two levels...

  • Research and Data
    4th Quarterly Report on Federal Sentencing Data

    (December 19, 2016) This quarterly report contains preliminary data on cases in which the offender was sentenced during fiscal year 2016, including offender and offense characteristics.

  • Research and Data
    Quick Facts on Organizational Offenders

    (October 20, 2016) Learn more about offenses committed by corporations, partnerships, pension funds, and non-profits. The most common offense involved in these cases was environmental crime.

  • Research and Data
    Quick Facts on Offenders in Bureau of Prisons

    (October 11, 2016) Learn more about offenders serving time in the Federal Bureau of Prisons, including the crimes they committed and the sentences they're serving.

  • Research and Data
    Simple Possession of Drugs in the Federal System

    (September 21, 2016) The number of simple drug possession offenses increased nearly 400 percent between fiscal years 2008 and 2013. This report analyzes the dramatic increase in these federal cases...

2016-2017 Amendment Cycle

  • proposed priorities
  • final priorities
  • proposed amendments
  • final amendments
  • Event

    August 18, 2016

    A public meeting of the Commission is scheduled for Thursday, August 18, 2016, at 1:00 p.m. pursuant to Rule 3.2 of the Rules of Practice and Procedure of the United States Sentencing Commission. Video of the event is available.

  • Public Comment

    July 25, 2016

    Public Comment Received on Proposed Priorities
    (81 FR 37241)

    The Commission received public comment on proposed priorities for the upcoming amendment cycle.

  • Event

    July 21, 2016

    A public hearing is scheduled for Thursday, July 21, 2016, from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. This hearing will be streamed live.

     

    The Commission will receive testimony from members of the Tribal Issues Advisory Group (TIAG) on its final tribal issues report.

  • Federal Register Notice

    June 09, 2016

    The Commission is seeking comment on possible priority policy issues for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2017 (81 FR 37241).


    Deadline: July 25, 2016.


    Download the Notice

  • Federal Register Notice

    August 18, 2016

    After reviewing public comment, the Commission has identified its policy priorities for the upcoming amendment cycle.

    Download the Notice

  • Federal Register Notice

    August 18, 2016

    The Commission has decided to establish a standing Tribal Issues Advisory Group and invites eligible applicants to apply for membership.

    Download the Notice

  • Press Release

    August 18, 2016

     

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

  • Video

    January 10, 2017

     

    Commission staff prepared a data presentation to inform public comment on a proposed amendment related to the treatment of youthful offenders under the guidelines. The deadline for public comment is February 20, 2017 with a reply period closing on March 10, 2017.

  • Video

    January 09, 2017

     

    Commission staff prepared a data presentation to inform public comment on a proposed amendment related to first offenders and alternatives to incarceration. The deadline for public comment is February 20, 2017 with a reply period closing on March 10, 2017.

  • Federal Register Notice

    December 19, 2016

    The Commission has proposed amendments to the federal sentencing guidelines and has requested public comment.

    Public comment should be received by the Commission not later than February 20, 2017. Written reply comments, which may only respond to issues raised in the original comment period, should be received by the Commission no later than March 10, 2017. 

    81 FR 92003

  • Amendments

    December 19, 2016

    These PDFs are compilations that contain preliminary, unofficial text of proposed amendments to the federal sentencing guidelines and issues for comment. Official text appeared in the December 19, 2016 edition of the Federal Register (81 FR 92003 and 81 FR 92021).

     

    "Reader-Friendly" Version of Proposed Amendments

     

     

    Issue for Comment Regarding Synthetic Drugs

  • Federal Register Notice

    December 19, 2016

    The Commission is seeking comment on a policy priority pertaining to MDMA/Ecstasy, synthetic cannabinoids, and synthetic cathinones.

    Public comment regarding the issue for comment set forth in this notice should be received by the Commission no later than March 10, 2017.

    81 FR 92021

  • Event

    December 09, 2016

    At a public meeting on Friday, December 9, 2016, commissioners voted to publish proposed amendments to the federal sentencing guidelines. This meeting was streamed live.

     

    Watch the public meeting.

  • Press Release

    December 09, 2016

     

    U.S. Sentencing Commission holds last public meeting of the current commission, proposes 2017 amendments to the federal sentencing guidelines. 

Quick Facts

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Speeches & Testimony

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