Sentencing Commission in the United States

United States Sentencing Commission

The United States Sentencing Commission is an independent agency in the judicial branch of government. This Agency establishes sentencing policies and practices for the Federal courts. It produces reports to Congress, publications, Federal sentencing guidelines, and manual guidelines.

The U.S. Sentencing Commission is best known for writing the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. It also formulates anti-crime policies and published reports on crime-related issues.

The USSC posts the current Federal Sentencing Guidelines Manual, along with proposed changes. There is an Archive of Manuals from prior years going back to 1987.

U.s. States Sentencing Commissions

the States have their sentencing commissions. For example:

• The Alabama Sentencing Commission works to establish and maintain an effective, fair, and efficient sentencing system for Alabama. It provides information on practices and procedures as well as access to related publications.
• The Massachusetts Sentencing Commission was appointed by the Governor in 2014. It is chaired by Superior Court Judge Jack Lu
• The Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission was established during the September 1994 Special Session of the Virginia General Assembly.
• The Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing offers similar information.

Furthemore, the National Association of Sentencing Commissions (NASC) is a non-profit organization that was created to facilitate the exchange and sharing of information among the U.S. State´s Sentencing Commissions.

Activities

The United States Sentencing Commission was established as an independent agency in the judicial branch of the Federal Government by the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984 (28 U.S.C. 991 et seq. and 18 U.S.C. 3551 et seq.). The Commission establishes sentencing guidelines and policies for the Federal courts, advising them of the appropriate form and severity of punishment for offenders convicted of Federal crimes.

The Commission comprises seven voting members and two nonvoting members. The President appoints the voting members with the advice and consent of the Senate for 6-year terms. The President also appoints one of the voting members as the Chair and designates three others as Vice Chairs.

The Commission evaluates the effects of the sentencing guidelines on the criminal justice system, advises Congress on the modification or enactment of statutes pertaining to criminal law and sentencing matters, establishes a research and development program on sentencing issues, and performs other related duties.

In executing its duties, the Commission promulgates and distributes to Federal courts and to the U.S. probation system guidelines for determining sentences to be imposed in criminal cases, general policy statements regarding the application of guidelines, and policy statements on the appropriate use of probation and supervised release revocation provisions. These sentencing guidelines and policy statements are intended to support the principles of just punishment, deterrence, incapacitation, and rehabilitation; provide fairness in meeting the purposes of sentencing; avoid unwarranted disparity; and reflect advancement in the knowledge of human behavior as it relates to the criminal justice process.

The Commission also provides training, conducts research on sentencing-related issues, and serves as an information resource for Congress, criminal justice practitioners, and the public.

United States Sentencing Commission and the Federal Courts

In the words of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts: The United States Sentencing Commission establishes sentencing guidelines for the federal criminal justice system. The Commission also monitors the performance of probation officers with regard to sentencing recommendations, and has established a research program that includes a clearinghouse and information center on federal sentencing practices. The Sentencing Commission consists of a chairman, three vice chairs, and three other voting commissioners who are appointed for six-year terms by the President.

See Also

Bureau of Justice Statistics
Crime Statistics
Criminal Law
Federal Sentencing Guidelines