Opinion ID: 768715
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Sentencing Reform Act and the Guidelines

Text: 35 Enactment of the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984 (or Act), 18 U.S.C. §3551 et seq. and 28 U.S.C. §§991 998, was prompted by perceptions that broad judicial discretion in sentencing had resulted in [f]ederal judges met[ing] out an unjustifiably wide range of sentences to offenders with similar histories, convicted of similar crimes, committed under similar circumstances. S.Rep. No. 98 225, at 38 (1983). The Act created the Sentencing Commission and charged it with developing a comprehensive set of sentencing guidelines, see 28 U.S.C. §994, designed to reduce unwarranted sentencing disparities among defendants with similar records who have been found guilty of similar criminal conduct, id. §991(b)(1)(B), consistent with the purposes of sentencing as set forth in [18 U.S.C.] section 3553(a)(2), 28U.S.C. §991(b)(1)(A); see also id. §994(g). The §3553(a)(2) purposes of sentencing are 36 the need for the sentence imposed-- 37 (A) to reflect the seriousness of the offense, to promote respect for the law, and to provide just punishment for the offense; 38 (B) to afford adequate deterrence to criminal conduct; 39 (C) to protect the public from further crimes of the defendant; and 40 (D) to provide the defendant with needed educational or vocational training, medical care, or other correctional treatment in the most effective manner. 41 18 U.S.C. §3553(a)(2). 42 Pursuant to its mandate under the Act, the Commission promulgated the Guidelines, which specify an appropriate [sentencing range] for each class of convicted persons determined by coordinating the offense behavior categories with the offender characteristic categories based on various factors related to the offense and the offender. Guidelines Ch. 1, pt. A, subpt.2. A district judge now must impose on a defendant a sentence falling within the range of the applicable Guideline, if the case is an ordinary one. Koon, 518 U.S. at 92 (emphasis added). 43