• Public Hearing on Fentanyl & Synthetic Cannabinoids

    On December 5, 2017, Commissioners received testimony from expert witnesses on the topics of fentanyl, fentanyl analogues, and synthetic cannabinoids, including their chemical structure, pharmacological effects, trafficking patterns, and community impact.   The hearing was streamed live.  Check back soon for a video recording.

  • Demographic Differences in Sentencing

    (Published November 14, 2017) This report explores the relationships between demographic factors, such as race and gender, and sentencing outcomes, including sentence length.

  • Mandatory Minimum Penalties for Federal Drug Offenses

    (Published October 25, 2017)   This publication examines the use of federal mandatory minimum penalties for drug offenses and the impact of those penalties on the federal prison population.   This is the second in a series of publications on mandatory minimum penalties.  Report-At-A-Glance

  • Public Hearing Held on Synthetic Cathinones

    The Commission held a public hearing on October 4, 2017 from 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (ET).   At the hearing, the Commission received testimony from expert witnesses on the topic of synthetic cathinones, including their chemical structure, pharmacological effects, trafficking patterns, and community impact.

  • Final 2017-2018 Policy Priorities

    The Commission finalized its policy priorities for the 2017-2018 amendment year. 

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. Learn the basics of federal sentencing.


2016 Statistics 2016 Annual Report
Full Manual

 

  • Research and Data
    Retroactivity Data for 2014 Drug Amendment

    (November 1, 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...

    Learn more
  • Research and Data
    FY 2017 Quarterly Report on Federal Sentencing Data

    (September 7, 2017) This quarterly report contains preliminary data on cases in which the offender was sentenced during the first three quarters of fiscal year 2017.

    Learn more
  • Research and Data
    Quick Facts on Methamphetamine Trafficking

    (August 7, 2017) Methamphetamine trafficking offenders accounted for one-third of all federal drug trafficking offenders sentenced in fiscal year 2016.

    Learn more
  • Research and Data
    Quick Facts on Non-U.S. Citizen Federal Offenders

    (June 20, 2017) Non-U.S. citizens accounted for 41.7% of all federal offenders sentenced in fiscal year 2016. These offenders were mostly commonly sentenced for illegal reentry (62.8%). 

    Learn more
  • Research and Data
    Quick Facts on Offenders in the Federal Bureau of Prisons

    (June 7, 2017) There were 164,598 offenders serving a sentence for a federal conviction in the Bureau of Prisons, most commonly for drug offenses (48.1%).

    Learn more

2017-2018 Amendment Cycle

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

  • Event

    August 17, 2017

    A public meeting of the Commission is scheduled for Thursday, August 17, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. pursuant to Rule 3.2 of the Rules of Practice and Procedure of the United States Sentencing Commission.


    Watch the meeting.

    Learn more

  • Public Comment

    August 11, 2017

    Public Comment on Synthetic Drugs
    82 FR 28382

    The Commission received comment on synthetic drugs, including MDMA/Ecstasy and methylone.

    Learn more

  • Public Comment

    July 31, 2017

    Public Comment Received on Proposed Priorities
    82 FR 28381

    The Commission received public comment on proposed priorities, including the structure of the guidelines, mandatory minimum penalties, crimes of violence, alternatives to incarceration, recidivism, and others.

    Learn more

  • Federal Register Notice

    June 22, 2017

    The Commission is requesting public comment on issues related to MDMA/Ecstasy and methylone. 


    Public comment should be received by the Commission on or before August 7, 2017.


    82 FR 28382

    Learn more

  • Federal Register Notice

    June 22, 2017

    The Commission has proposed priorities for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2018 and has requested public comment.


    Public comment should be received by the Commission on or before July 31, 2017. 


    82 FR 28381

    Learn more

  • Event

    December 05, 2017

    A public hearing was held on Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. (ET).  This hearing was streamed live.  Check back soon for a recording.


     

    Commissioners received testimony on fentanyl, fentanyl analogues, and synthetic cannabinoids.

    Learn more

  • Public Comment

    November 13, 2017

    Public Comment on Fentanyl & Fentanyl Analogues
    82 FR 47322

    The Commission received comment on fentanyl and fentanyl analogues.

    Learn more

  • Public Comment

    October 27, 2017

    Public Comment on Synthetic Drugs
    82 FR 40648

    The Commission received comment on Synthetic Cathinones, Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and Synthetic Cannabinoids.

    Learn more

  • Federal Register Notice

    October 11, 2017

    The Commission is seeking comment on a policy priority pertaining to fentanyl and fentanyl analogues.

     

    Public comment should be received by the Commission no later than November 13, 2017.


    82 FR 47322

    Learn more

  • Event

    October 04, 2017

    A public hearing was held on Wednesday, October 4, 2017 from 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m (ET). This hearing was streamed live.


     

    The Commission received testimony on synthetic cathinones.

    Learn more

  • Federal Register Notice

    August 24, 2017

    The Commission is seeking comment on a policy priority pertaining to synthetic cathinones, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and synthetic cannabinoids.


    Public comment should be received by the Commission no later than October 27, 2017.


    82 FR 40648

    Learn more

  • Federal Register Notice

    August 17, 2017

    The Commission has finalized policy priorities for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2018.


    82 FR 39949

    Learn more

  • Press Release

    August 17, 2017

     

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

    Learn more

  • Public Comment

    November 06, 2017

    Reply Comment Received on Proposed Amendments
    (82 FR 40651)

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

    Learn more

  • Public Comment

    October 10, 2017

    Public Comment Received on Proposed Amendments in Response to 82 FR 40651

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


    Download All Comment (8.7 MB)

    Learn more

  • Federal Register Notice

    August 24, 2017

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


    Public comment was accepted through October 10, 2017. Written reply comments will be accepted through November 6, 2017.


    82 FR 40651

    Learn more

  • Press Release

    August 17, 2017

     

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

    Learn more

  • Amendments

    August 17, 2017

    This document is unofficial text of proposed amendments to the guidelines.


    "Reader-Friendly" Proposed Amendments

    Learn more
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