Federal Sentencing Reform Act of 1984

The Federal Sentencing Reform Act of 1984 established a system to standardize sentencing for federal crimes in the United States. It created the U.S. Sentencing Commission, which developed guidelines to ensure fair and consistent sentences across different cases. The Act aimed to reduce disparities in sentencing, making punishments more predictable and equitable. It also introduced determinate sentences, meaning offenders would serve a specific amount of time, rather than indeterminate sentences, which could vary. Overall, the Act shifted the focus from rehabilitation to a more structured, guideline-based approach to sentencing.