Sentencing Reform Act of 1984

The Sentencing Reform Act of 1984 was a significant U.S. law that aimed to create more uniform sentencing practices for federal crimes. It established the United States Sentencing Commission, which developed guidelines to ensure consistency in sentencing, reducing disparities based on a judge's personal discretion. The Act also aimed to promote accountability and fairness in the criminal justice system. It introduced determinate sentencing, meaning judges would impose fixed prison terms instead of indeterminate sentences, thereby enhancing predictability regarding the length of a prison stay.