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The United States Government Manual
United States Sentencing Commission
Suite 2-500, One Columbus Circle NE., Washington, DC 20002-8002
202-502-4500
http://www.ussc.gov
| CHAIR | William H. Pryor, Jr., Acting |
| Vice Chair | (vacancy) |
| Vice Chair | (vacancy) |
| Vice Chair | (vacancy) |
| Commissioner | Charles R. Breyer |
| Commissioner | Rachel E. Barkow |
| Commissioner | Danny C. Reeves |
| Commissioner | Wiiliam H. Pryor, Jr. |
| Commissioner (ex officio) | Jonathan Wroblewski |
| Commissioner (ex officio) | J. Patricia Wilson Smoot |
| Staff Director | Kenneth P. Cohen |
| Director, Office of Administration and Planning | Susan M. Brazel |
| Director, Office of Education and Sentencing Practice | Raquel Wilson |
| Director, Office of Legislative and Public Affairs | Christine M. Leonard |
| Director, Office of Research and Data | Glenn R. Schmitt |
| General Counsel | Kathleen C. Grilli |
The United States Sentencing Commission develops sentencing guidelines and policies for the Federal court system.
Organizational ChartThe United States Sentencing Commission was established as an independent agency in the judicial branch of the Federal Government by the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984 (28 U.S.C. 991 et seq. and 18 U.S.C. 3551 et seq.). The Commission establishes sentencing guidelines and policies for the Federal courts, advising them of the appropriate form and severity of punishment for offenders convicted of Federal crimes.
The Commission comprises seven voting members and two nonvoting members. The President appoints the voting members with the advice and consent of the Senate for 6-year terms. The President also appoints one of the voting members as the Chair and designates three others as Vice Chairs.
The Commission evaluates the effects of the sentencing guidelines on the criminal justice system, advises Congress on the modification or enactment of statutes pertaining to criminal law and sentencing matters, establishes a research and development program on sentencing issues, and performs other related duties.
In executing its duties, the Commission promulgates and distributes to Federal courts and to the U.S. probation system guidelines for determining sentences to be imposed in criminal cases, general policy statements regarding the application of guidelines, and policy statements on the appropriate use of probation and supervised release revocation provisions. These sentencing guidelines and policy statements are intended to support the principles of just punishment, deterrence, incapacitation, and rehabilitation; provide fairness in meeting the purposes of sentencing; avoid unwarranted disparity; and reflect advancement in the knowledge of human behavior as it relates to the criminal justice process.
The Commission also provides training, conducts research on sentencing-related issues, and serves as an information resource for Congress, criminal justice practitioners, and the public.
http://www.ussc.gov/aboutSources of Information
Education
The Commission offers courses that fulfill continuing legal education requirements in several jurisdictions.
http://www.ussc.gov/education/training-resources/continuing-legal-educationCareer Opportunities
The Commission posts job announcements on its Web site.
http://www.ussc.gov/employmentGuidelines Manual
The current "USSC Guidelines Manual" is available in Portable Document Format on the Commission's Web site. An electronic archive of the yearly manual starts with the year 1987.
http://www.ussc.gov/guidelines/2015-guidelines-manual/archiveHelpline
Attorneys, judges, and probation officers who have questions may call the Commission's helpline for assistance. The helpline also handles data requests. Its hours of operations are 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m., eastern standard time, Monday–Friday, excluding Federal holidays. Phone, 202-502-4545.
News
Press releases are available on the Commission's Web site.
http://www.ussc.gov/about/news/press-releasesThe Commission also posts amicus curiae briefs, reports, speeches, statements, and testimonies online.
http://www.ussc.gov/about/news/testimony-speeches/speeches-and-submissionsPublications
A topical index of publications is available online.
http://www.ussc.gov/research/topical-index-publicationsReports
The Commission posts reports to the Congress on its Web site.
http://www.ussc.gov/research/reports-congressAnnual overviews of Federal criminal cases are available online.
http://www.ussc.gov/topic/year-reviewThe Office of Research and Data publishes periodic reports on Federal sentencing practices. The reports include information on the types of crimes committed, offenders who commit those crimes, the punishments imposed, and the manner in which the sentencing guidelines were applied.
http://www.ussc.gov/topic/data-reportsSite Map
The Web site map allows visitors to look for specific topics or to browse content that aligns with their interests.
http://www.ussc.gov/sitemapUpdates
An online subscription form is available to sign up for regular email updates from the USSC.
http://www.ussc.gov/sign-regular-updatesFor further information, contact the Office of Legislative and Public Affairs, U.S. Sentencing Commission, Suite 2–500, One Columbus Circle NE., Washington, DC 20002-8002. Phone, 202-502-4500.