NCJ Number
129389
Date Published
1991
Length
44 pages
Annotation
These selections from Federal Sentencing Guidelines -- effective November 1, 1987, and including November 1, 1989, amendments -- cover general-application principles, offense conduct, adjustments, criminal history and criminal livelihood, and determination of the sentence.
Abstract
The policy statement included under the general-application principles indicates that the objectives of the sentencing guidelines are to achieve honesty (determinate sentences); uniformity (no wide sentencing disparities for similar offenses); and proportionality (sentences tailored to offense severity and intent) in sentencing. Chapter two, pertaining to offense conduct, is organized by offenses and divided into parts and related sections that may cover one statute or many. Each offense has a corresponding base offense level and may have one or more specific offense characteristics that adjust the offense level upward or downward. Chapter three addresses sentencing adjustments due to victim-related factors, the defendant's role in the offense, the defendant's obstruction of the case investigation, and the defendant's acceptance of responsibility. Chapter four discusses criminal history and criminal livelihood as factors in sentencing. The concluding chapter explains the sentencing table and sentencing options along with departures from the guidelines.