How the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines build a defendant's final offense level from base level, specific offense characteristics, and chapter-three adjustments.
That number is combined with the Criminal History Category to produce the advisory range on the Sentencing Table.
The federal offense level is a number from 1 to 43 that reflects the seriousness of the offense of conviction. It combines the base offense level for the statute of conviction with specific offense characteristics and general adjustments, and is used with the Criminal History Category to find the advisory range on the Sentencing Table.
Each guideline in Chapter 2 lists specific offense characteristics — factors like drug quantity, loss amount, number of victims, role of a firearm, or use of sophisticated means — that add or subtract levels from the base offense level.
Chapter 3 adjustments apply across offenses: victim-related adjustments (§ 3A1), role in the offense (§ 3B1), obstruction of justice (§ 3C1), multiple counts (§ 3D1), and acceptance of responsibility (§ 3E1.1).
Under USSG § 3E1.1, defendants who clearly demonstrate acceptance of responsibility get a 2-level decrease. If the offense level before that decrease is 16 or greater and the government moves for it, defendants who timely notify authorities of an intent to plead guilty get an additional 1-level decrease, for a total of 3 levels.
Educational — not legal advice. See Terms & Sources.