Opinion ID: 786967
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Reporting Requirements Under Federal Sentencing Law

Text: 5 In the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984, Congress created the federal Sentencing Commission as an independent body within the judicial branch. See Pub.L. No. 98-473, 98 Stat. 1837, tit. II, ch. II, § 217 (effective 1987). The Act also created a reporting requirement, which provided that[t]he appropriate judge or officer shall submit to the Commission in connection with each sentence imposed ... a written report of the sentence. Id. (first codified at 28 U.S.C. § 994(v), later redesignated as 28 U.S.C. § 994(w)). 6 A 1997 Memorandum of Understanding between the Administrative Office of the United States Courts and the Sentencing Commission, apparently intended to improve compliance with § 994(w)'s reporting requirement, provides insight into how the requirement generally was satisfied: 7 Most districts ask the probation office to submit the sentencing documents, and this is, as noted, generally being done faithfully. However, particularly where the probation office is not involved in the proceeding, the Chief Judge may want to meet with the United States Attorney's office and others to decide on the most efficient way to submit [post-conviction] changes to the judgment.... These may be sent directly by other entities, or channeled through probation, as the court wishes. 8 The Memorandum of Understanding set forth the complete list of documents to be submitted as part of the sentencing report and request[ed] that each Chief Judge designate a procedure by which the ... documents are sent to the Commission. 9 On April 30, 2003, Congress amended § 994(w)'s reporting requirement. Prosecutorial Remedies and Tools Against the Exploitation of Children Today Act of 2003 (sometimes called the PROTECT Act), Pub.L. No. 108-12, 117 Stat. 651, tit. IV, § 401(h) (Improved Data Collection). 1 The text of the basic reporting requirement was amended to read, in part: 10 The Chief Judge of each district court shall ensure that, within 30 days following entry of judgment in every criminal case, the sentencing court submits to the Commission a written report of the sentence.... 28 U.S.C. § 994(w)(1). The Act also codified the specific list of documents to be submitted in each report. Id. § 994(w)(1)(A)-(F). 2 11