§3553 — Title 18 Crimes and Criminal Procedure | U.S. Code

Summary

A judge must pick a sentence that is long enough, but no longer than needed, to meet several goals: punish the crime, show how serious it was, promote respect for the law, deter others, protect the public, and help the person get needed training or medical care. To decide, the judge must look at what happened, the person’s background, the kinds of punishments that are allowed, the federal sentencing rules and policy statements that apply on the day of sentencing, the need to avoid unfair differences between similar cases, and the need to repay victims. The judge should follow the Sentencing Commission’s recommended range unless there are special facts the Commission did not properly consider. When checking that, the judge may only look at the Commission’s guidelines, policy statements, and official commentary. If no guideline applies, the judge must pick a fair sentence that meets the goals above. For crimes under section 1201, section 1591, or offenses in chapters 71, 109A, 110, or 117, the judge must follow the guidelines unless a true aggravating fact calls for a higher sentence, a listed or unconsidered mitigating fact calls for a different sentence, or the Government moves for a lower sentence because the person gave substantial help. At sentencing the judge must say the reasons out loud. If the sentence is inside a guideline range over 24 months, the judge must explain why at that point. If the sentence is outside the guideline range, the judge must give specific reasons in court and in a written statement. Before giving notice under section 3555, the judge must tell the person and the Government, allow written and oral submissions, and explain the reasons. The Government can ask the judge to go below a statutory minimum if the person gave substantial help, and the judge must follow the Commission’s rules. For certain drug and related offenses listed in the law, the judge must use the Commission’s guidelines instead of a statutory minimum if these five things are true: the person does not have more than 4 criminal history points (excluding any 1-point offense), has no prior 3-point offense, has no prior 2-point violent offense, did not use or threaten violence or possess a weapon in the offense, the offense caused no death or serious injury, the person was not an organizer or leader and was not part of a continuing criminal enterprise under section 408, and by the sentencing hearing the person has truthfully given the Government all information about the related conduct. A “violent offense” here means a crime of violence as defined in section 16 that can be punished by imprisonment.

Title 18, §3553

Crimes and Criminal Procedure — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)The court shall impose a sentence sufficient, but not greater than necessary, to comply with the purposes set forth in paragraph (2) of this subsection. The court, in determining the particular sentence to be imposed, shall consider—

(1)the nature and circumstances of the offense and the history and characteristics of the defendant;

(2)the need for the sentence imposed—

(A)to reflect the seriousness of the offense, to promote respect for the law, and to provide just punishment for the offense;

(B)to afford adequate deterrence to criminal conduct;

(C)to protect the public from further crimes of the defendant; and

(D)to provide the defendant with needed educational or vocational training, medical care, or other correctional treatment in the most effective manner;

(3)the kinds of sentences available;

(4)the kinds of sentence and the sentencing range established for—

(A)the applicable category of offense committed by the applicable category of defendant as set forth in the guidelines—

(i)issued by the Sentencing Commission pursuant to section 994(a)(1) of title 28, United States Code, subject to any amendments made to such guidelines by act of Congress (regardless of whether such amendments have yet to be incorporated by the Sentencing Commission into amendments issued under section 994(p) of title 28); and

(ii)that, except as provided in section 3742(g), are in effect on the date the defendant is sentenced; or

(B)in the case of a violation of probation or supervised release, the applicable guidelines or policy statements issued by the Sentencing Commission pursuant to section 994(a)(3) of title 28, United States Code, taking into account any amendments made to such guidelines or policy statements by act of Congress (regardless of whether such amendments have yet to be incorporated by the Sentencing Commission into amendments issued under section 994(p) of title 28);

(5)any pertinent policy statement—

(A)issued by the Sentencing Commission pursuant to section 994(a)(2) of title 28, United States Code, subject to any amendments made to such policy statement by act of Congress (regardless of whether such amendments have yet to be incorporated by the Sentencing Commission into amendments issued under section 994(p) of title 28); and

(B)that, except as provided in section 3742(g), is in effect on the date the defendant is sentenced.11 So in original. The period probably should be a semicolon.

(6)the need to avoid unwarranted sentence disparities among defendants with similar records who have been found guilty of similar conduct; and

(7)the need to provide restitution to any victims of the offense.

(b)(1)Except as provided in paragraph (2), the court shall impose a sentence of the kind, and within the range, referred to in subsection (a)(4) unless the court finds that there exists an aggravating or mitigating circumstance of a kind, or to a degree, not adequately taken into consideration by the Sentencing Commission in formulating the guidelines that should result in a sentence different from that described. In determining whether a circumstance was adequately taken into consideration, the court shall consider only the sentencing guidelines, policy statements, and official commentary of the Sentencing Commission. In the absence of an applicable sentencing guideline, the court shall impose an appropriate sentence, having due regard for the purposes set forth in subsection (a)(2). In the absence of an applicable sentencing guideline in the case of an offense other than a petty offense, the court shall also have due regard for the relationship of the sentence imposed to sentences prescribed by guidelines applicable to similar offenses and offenders, and to the applicable policy statements of the Sentencing Commission.

(2)(A)In sentencing a defendant convicted of an offense under section 1201 involving a minor victim, an offense under section 1591, or an offense under chapter 71, 109A, 110, or 117, the court shall impose a sentence of the kind, and within the range, referred to in subsection (a)(4) unless—

(i)the court finds that there exists an aggravating circumstance of a kind, or to a degree, not adequately taken into consideration by the Sentencing Commission in formulating the guidelines that should result in a sentence greater than that described;

(ii)the court finds that there exists a mitigating circumstance of a kind or to a degree, that—

(I)has been affirmatively and specifically identified as a permissible ground of downward departure in the sentencing guidelines or policy statements issued under section 994(a) of title 28, taking account of any amendments to such sentencing guidelines or policy statements by Congress;

(II)has not been taken into consideration by the Sentencing Commission in formulating the guidelines; and

(III)should result in a sentence different from that described; or

(iii)the court finds, on motion of the Government, that the defendant has provided substantial assistance in the investigation or prosecution of another person who has committed an offense and that this assistance established a mitigating circumstance of a kind, or to a degree, not adequately taken into consideration by the Sentencing Commission in formulating the guidelines that should result in a sentence lower than that described.

(c)The court, at the time of sentencing, shall state in open court the reasons for its imposition of the particular sentence, and, if the sentence—

(1)is of the kind, and within the range, described in subsection (a)(4), and that range exceeds 24 months, the reason for imposing a sentence at a particular point within the range; or

(2)is not of the kind, or is outside the range, described in subsection (a)(4), the specific reason for the imposition of a sentence different from that described, which reasons must also be stated with specificity in a statement of reasons form issued under section 994(w)(1)(B) of title 28, except to the extent that the court relies upon statements received in camera in accordance with Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 32. In the event that the court relies upon statements received in camera in accordance with Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 32 the court shall state that such statements were so received and that it relied upon the content of such statements.

(d)Prior to imposing an order of notice pursuant to section 3555, the court shall give notice to the defendant and the Government that it is considering imposing such an order. Upon motion of the defendant or the Government, or on its own motion, the court shall—

(1)permit the defendant and the Government to submit affidavits and written memoranda addressing matters relevant to the imposition of such an order;

(2)afford counsel an opportunity in open court to address orally the appropriateness of the imposition of such an order; and

(3)include in its statement of reasons pursuant to subsection (c) specific reasons underlying its determinations regarding the nature of such an order.

(e)Upon motion of the Government, the court shall have the authority to impose a sentence below a level established by statute as a minimum sentence so as to reflect a defendant’s substantial assistance in the investigation or prosecution of another person who has committed an offense. Such sentence shall be imposed in accordance with the guidelines and policy statements issued by the Sentencing Commission pursuant to section 994 of title 28, United States Code.

(f)Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in the case of an offense under section 401, 404, or 406 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 841, 844, 846), section 1010 or 1013 of the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act (21 U.S.C. 960, 963), or section 70503 or 70506 of title 46, the court shall impose a sentence pursuant to guidelines promulgated by the United States Sentencing Commission under section 994 of title 28 without regard to any statutory minimum sentence, if the court finds at sentencing, after the Government has been afforded the opportunity to make a recommendation, that—

(1)the defendant does not have—

(A)more than 4 criminal history points, excluding any criminal history points resulting from a 1-point offense, as determined under the sentencing guidelines;

(B)a prior 3-point offense, as determined under the sentencing guidelines; and

(C)a prior 2-point violent offense, as determined under the sentencing guidelines;

(2)the defendant did not use violence or credible threats of violence or possess a firearm or other dangerous weapon (or induce another participant to do so) in connection with the offense;

(3)the offense did not result in death or serious bodily injury to any person;

(4)the defendant was not an organizer, leader, manager, or supervisor of others in the offense, as determined under the sentencing guidelines and was not engaged in a continuing criminal enterprise, as defined in section 408 of the Controlled Substances Act; and

(5)not later than the time of the sentencing hearing, the defendant has truthfully provided to the Government all information and evidence the defendant has concerning the offense or offenses that were part of the same course of conduct or of a common scheme or plan, but the fact that the defendant has no relevant or useful other information to provide or that the Government is already aware of the information shall not preclude a determination by the court that the defendant has complied with this requirement.

(g)As used in this section, the term “violent offense” means a crime of violence, as defined in section 16, that is punishable by imprisonment.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, referred to in subsec. (c)(2), are set out in the Appendix to this title. section 408 of the Controlled Substances Act, referred to in subsec. (f)(4), is classified to section 848 of Title 21, Food and Drugs. ConstitutionalityFor information regarding the constitutionality of certain provisions of this section, as amended by section 401(a)(1) of Pub. L. 108–21, see the Table of Laws Held Unconstitutional in Whole or in Part by the Supreme Court on the Constitution Annotated website, constitution.congress.gov.

Amendments

2018—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 115–391, § 402(a)(1)(A), (C), in introductory provisions, substituted “, section 1010” for “or section 1010” and inserted “, or section 70503 or 70506 of title 46” after “963)”, and inserted concluding provisions. Subsec. (f)(1). Pub. L. 115–391, § 402(a)(1)(B), added par. (1) and struck out former par. (1) which read as follows: “the defendant does not have more than 1 criminal history point, as determined under the sentencing guidelines;”. Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 115–391, § 402(a)(2), added subsec. (g). 2010—Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 111–174 substituted “a statement of reasons form issued under section 994(w)(1)(B) of title 28” for “the written order of judgment and commitment”. 2003—Subsec. (a)(4)(A). Pub. L. 108–21, § 401(j)(5)(A), amended subpar. (A) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (A) read as follows: “the applicable category of offense committed by the applicable category of defendant as set forth in the guidelines issued by the Sentencing Commission pursuant to section 994(a)(1) of title 28, United States Code, and that are in effect on the date the defendant is sentenced; or”. Subsec. (a)(4)(B). Pub. L. 108–21, § 401(j)(5)(B), inserted before semicolon at end “, taking into account any

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made to such guidelines or policy statements by act of Congress (regardless of whether such

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have yet to be incorporated by the Sentencing Commission into

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issued under section 994(p) of title 28)”. Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 108–21, § 401(j)(5)(C), amended par. (5) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (5) read as follows: “any pertinent policy statement issued by the Sentencing Commission pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 994(a)(2) that is in effect on the date the defendant is sentenced;”. Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 108–21, § 401(a), designated existing provisions as par. (1), inserted par. heading, substituted “Except as provided in paragraph (2), the court” for “The court”, and added par. (2) and concluding provisions. Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 108–21, § 401(c)(2), (3), in concluding provisions, inserted “, together with the order of judgment and commitment,” after “the court’s statement of reasons” and “and to the Sentencing Commission,” after “to the Probation System”. Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 108–21, § 401(c)(1), substituted “described, which reasons must also be stated with specificity in the written order of judgment and commitment, except to the extent that the court relies upon statements received in camera in accordance with Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 32. In the event that the court relies upon statements received in camera in accordance with Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 32 the court shall state that such statements were so received and that it relied upon the content of such statements” for “described”. 2002—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 107–273 inserted “a” before “minimum sentence”. 1996—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 104–294, § 601(h), amended directory language of Pub. L. 103–322, § 80001(a). See 1994 Amendment note below. Pub. L. 104–294, § 601(b)(5), in introductory provisions, substituted “section 1010 or 1013 of the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act (21 U.S.C. 960, 963)” for “section 1010 or 1013 of the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act (21 U.S.C. 961, 963)”. Subsec. (f)(4). Pub. L. 104–294, § 601(b)(6), substituted “section 408 of the Controlled Substances Act” for “21 U.S.C. 848”. 1994—Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 103–322, § 280001, amended par. (4) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (4) read as follows: “the kinds of sentence and the sentencing range established for the applicable category of offense committed by the applicable category of defendant as set forth in the guidelines that are issued by the Sentencing Commission pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 994(a)(1) and that are in effect on the date the defendant is sentenced;”. Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 103–322, § 80001(a), as amended by Pub. L. 104–294, § 601(h), added subsec. (f). 1988—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 100–690 inserted “or other appropriate public record” after “transcription” in second sentence and struck out “clerk of the” before “court” in last sentence. 1987—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 100–182, § 3(1), (2), substituted “court finds that there exists an aggravating or mitigating circumstance of a kind, or to a degree, not adequately taken into consideration by the Sentencing Commission in formulating the guidelines that should result” for “court finds that an aggravating or mitigating circumstance exists that was not adequately taken into consideration by the Sentencing Commission in formulating the guidelines and that should result”. Pub. L. 100–182, § 3(3), inserted after first sentence “In determining whether a circumstance was adequately taken into consideration, the court shall consider only the sentencing guidelines, policy statements, and official commentary of the Sentencing Commission.” Pub. L. 100–182, § 16(a), substituted “In the absence of an applicable sentencing guideline, the court shall impose an appropriate sentence, having due regard for the purposes set forth in subsection (a)(2). In the absence of an applicable sentencing guideline in the case of an offense other than a petty offense, the court shall also have due regard for the relationship of the sentence imposed to sentences prescribed by guidelines applicable to similar offenses and offenders, and to the applicable policy statements of the Sentencing Commission.” for “In the absence of an applicable sentencing guideline, the court shall impose an appropriate sentence, having due regard for the relationship of the sentence imposed to sentences prescribed by guidelines applicable to similar offenses and offenders, the applicable policy statements of the Sentencing Commission, and the purposes of sentencing set forth in subsection (a)(2).” Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 100–182, § 17, inserted “and that range exceeds 24 months,”. 1986—Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 99–646, § 81(a), added par. (7). Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 99–646, § 9(a), inserted provision relating to sentencing in the absence of applicable guidelines. Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 99–646, § 8(a), substituted “If the court does not order restitution, or orders only partial restitution” for “If the sentence does not include an order of restitution”. Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 99–646, § 80(a), struck out “or restitution” after “notice” in heading, and struck out “or an order of restitution pursuant to section 3556,” after “section 3555,” in introductory text. Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 99–570 added subsec. (e).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 2018 Amendment Pub. L. 115–391, title IV, § 402(b), Dec. 21, 2018, 132 Stat. 5221, provided that: “The

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made by this section [amending this section] shall apply only to a conviction entered on or after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 21, 2018].”

Effective Date

of 1994 Amendment Pub. L. 103–322, title VIII, § 80001(c), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 1986, provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to all sentences imposed on or after the 10th day beginning after the date of enactment of this Act [Sept. 13, 1994].”

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of 1987 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 100–182 applicable with respect to offenses committed after Dec. 7, 1987, see section 26 of Pub. L. 100–182, set out as a note under section 3006A of this title.

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of 1986

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Pub. L. 99–646, § 8(c), Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3593, provided that: “The

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made by this section [amending this section and section 3663 of this title] shall take effect on the date of the taking effect of section 3553 of title 18, United States Code [Nov. 1, 1987].” Pub. L. 99–646, § 9(b), Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3593, provided that: “The

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made by this section [amending this section] shall take effect on the date of the taking effect of section 3553 of title 18, United States Code [Nov. 1, 1987].” Pub. L. 99–646, § 80(b), Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3619, provided that: “The

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made by this section [amending this section] shall take effect on the date of the taking effect of section 212(a)(2) of the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984 [section 212(a)(2) of Pub. L. 98–473, effective Nov. 1, 1987].” Pub. L. 99–570, title I, § 1007(b), Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3207–7, provided that: “The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall take effect on the date of the taking effect of section 3553 of title 18, United States Code [Nov. 1, 1987].”

Effective Date

Section effective Nov. 1, 1987, and applicable only to offenses committed after the taking effect of this section, see section 235(a)(1) of Pub. L. 98–473, set out as a note under section 3551 of this title. Report by Attorney General Pub. L. 108–21, title IV, § 401(l), Apr. 30, 2003, 117 Stat. 674, provided that: “(1) Defined term.—For purposes of this section [amending this section, section 3742 of this title, and section 994 of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure, enacting provisions set out as a note under section 991 of Title 28, and enacting provisions listed in a table relating to sentencing guidelines set out under section 994 of Title 28], the term ‘report described in paragraph (3)’ means a report, submitted by the Attorney General, which states in detail the policies and procedures that the Department of Justice has adopted subsequent to the enactment of this Act [Apr. 30, 2003]—“(A) to ensure that Department of Justice attorneys oppose sentencing adjustments, including downward departures, that are not supported by the facts and the law; “(B) to ensure that Department of Justice attorneys in such cases make a sufficient record so as to permit the possibility of an appeal; “(C) to delineate objective criteria, specified by the Attorney General, as to which such cases may warrant consideration of an appeal, either because of the nature or magnitude of the sentencing error, its prevalence in the district, or its prevalence with respect to a particular judge; “(D) to ensure that Department of Justice attorneys promptly notify the designated Department of Justice component in Washington concerning such adverse sentencing decisions; and “(E) to ensure the vigorous pursuit of appropriate and meritorious appeals of such adverse decisions. “(2) Report required.—“(A) In general.—Not later than 15 days after a district court’s grant of a downward departure in any case, other than a case involving a downward departure for substantial assistance to authorities pursuant to section 5K1.1 of the United States Sentencing Guidelines, the Attorney General shall submit a report to the Committees on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and the Senate containing the information described under subparagraph (B). “(B) Contents.—The report submitted pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall set forth—“(i) the case; “(ii) the facts involved; “(iii) the identity of the district court judge; “(iv) the district court’s stated reasons, whether or not the court provided the United States with advance notice of its intention to depart; and “(v) the position of the parties with respect to the downward departure, whether or not the United States has filed, or intends to file, a motion for reconsideration. “(C) Appeal of the departure.—Not later than 5 days after a decision by the Solicitor General regarding the authorization of an appeal of the departure, the Attorney General shall submit a report to the Committees on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and the Senate that describes the decision of the Solicitor General and the basis for such decision. “(3)

Effective Date

.—Paragraph (2) shall take effect on the day that is 91 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Apr. 30, 2003], except that such paragraph shall not take effect if not more than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act the Attorney General has submitted to the Judiciary Committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate the report described in paragraph (3).” Authority To Lower a Sentence Below Statutory Minimum for Old Offenses Pub. L. 100–182, § 24, Dec. 7, 1987, 101 Stat. 1271, provided that: “Notwithstanding section 235 of the Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984 [section 235 of Pub. L. 98–473, set out as a note under section 3551 of this title]—“(1) section 3553(e) of title 18, United States Code; “(2) rule 35(b) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure as amended by section 215(b) of such Act [set out in the Appendix to this title]; and “(3) rule 35(b) as in effect before the taking effect of the initial set of guidelines promulgated by the United States Sentencing Commission pursuant to chapter 58 of title 28, United States Code, shall apply in the case of an offense committed before the taking effect of such guidelines.”

§3553 Imposition of a sentence

Summary

Title 18, §3553

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