NCJ Number
228364
Date Published
November 2007
Length
679 pages
Annotation
This manual presents the sentencing guidelines, policy statements, and commentary, including amendments thereto, promulgated by the United States Sentencing Commission effective as of November 1, 2007, pursuant to section 994(a) of title 28 of the U.S. Code.
Abstract
The first chapter states the statutory authority given to the U.S. Sentencing Commission, as well as general application principles for the sentencing guidelines. Chapter 2 pertains to offense conduct and is organized by offenses. It is 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. Factors relevant to the offense that are not addressed in specific guidelines in this chapter are contained in chapter 3, Parts A (victim-related adjustments; B (role in the offense); and C (obstruction). Chapter 4, Part A pertains to criminal history, and Part B pertains to career offenders and criminal livelihood. Chapter 5, "Determining the Sentence," presents various sentencing options. The manual advises that in determining the type of sentence to impose, the sentencing judge should consider the nature and seriousness of the conduct, the statutory purposes of sentencing, and the pertinent offender characteristics. A sentence is within the guidelines if it complies with each applicable section of this chapter. The court should impose a sentence sufficient, but not greater than necessary, in order to comply with the statutory purposes of sentencing. Chapter 6 addresses sentencing procedures, plea agreements, and crime victims' rights. The two remaining chapters pertain to violations of probation and supervised release and the sentencing of organizations. Appended statutory index; selected sentencing statutes; amendments to the manual effective November 1, 1997, and earlier; amendments to the manual effective November 1, 1998, through November 5, 2003; and amendments to the manual effective November 1, 2004, through November 1, 2007