US Sentencing Guidelines

The U.S. Sentencing Guidelines are a set of rules used by judges to determine appropriate sentences for federal crimes. They consider factors like the severity of the offense and the offender's criminal history. The guidelines aim to create consistency and fairness in sentencing, helping to ensure that similar crimes receive similar punishments. While judges can deviate from these guidelines, they usually provide a structured framework to guide sentencing decisions in the federal criminal justice system. This helps balance the goals of punishment, deterrence, and rehabilitation.