Discussion Question

 Do you believe courts should employ standard sentencing guidelines? Why or why not?

• Many would argue that having mandatory sentencing guidelines removed the necessary level of judicial autonomy necessary to carry out justice. Others would argue that the guidelines result in the miscarriage of justice through the imposition of harsh punishment in cases that may not warrant such treatment. 

Practice Question

Tommy is convicted under a federal money-laundering statute. He is awaiting sentencing. What role does the Federal Sentencing Guidelines play in the court sentencing Tommy for his illegal conduct?

• Sentencing for all serious federal non-capital crimes begins with the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. The Guidelines process involves:
  • Identification of the most appropriate Guidelines Section for the crime (s) of conviction, based on the nature of the offense (the most commonly applicable are noted in the Guidelines Index).
  • Identification of the applicable base offense level indicated by the section.
  • Addition/subtraction of offense levels per section instructions for the circumstances in the case at hand.
  • Addition/subtraction of offense levels per instructions in those chapters of the Guidelines relating to issues such as role played.
  • Calculations of the criminal history score.
  • Consideration of departures
  • Application Guidelines instructions relating to imprisonment, probation, supervised release, special assessments.

https://www.everycrsreport.com/reports/R41696.html

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