A federal judge will rely upon a number of factors before imposing a sentence upon a defendant. In fact, the law requires it. Under 18 U.S.C. § 3553 a federal judge must consider the following factors: 1. The nature and circumstances of the offense; 2. The history and characteristics of the defendant; 3. The need for the sentence imposed to reflect the seriousness of the offense, to promote respect for the law, to provide just punishment for the offense, to afford adequate deterrence to criminal conduct, to protect the public from further crimes of the defendant; and to provide the defendant with needed educational or vocational training, medical care, or other correctional treatment in the most effective manner; 4. The kinds of sentences available; 5. The need to avoid unwarranted sentence disparities among defendants with similar records who have been found guilty of similar conduct; 6. The need to provide restitution to any victims of the offenses committed by the defendant. A federal judge has broad discretion to impose a sentence. In addition to these factors, a judge can also consult with the federal sentencing guidelines to impose a sentence. These guidelines are no longer mandatory but most federal judges still rely upon them to impose a sentence. Headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, The Federal Defenders handles federal criminal cases (both trials and appeals) throughout the United States. With a combined total of more than 100 years of experience, the attorneys and investigators at The Federal Defenders know what it takes to win and achieve favorable outcomes for clients. Call us today at (800) 712-000 for a free and confidential consultation.