Federal Sentencing Guidelines Manuals

Effective November 1, 2004

"Reader-friendly" version of the 2004 Guideline Amendments Sent to Congress (.PDF format) This compilation contains unofficial text of amendments to the sentencing guidelines submitted to Congress on April 30, 2004, and is provided only for the convenience of the user. Official text of these amendments is available on the Commission’s web site and will be published in a future edition of the Federal Register.

Amendments to the Sentencing Guidelines, Policy Statements, and Official Commentary. (May 1, 2004). Pursuant to section 994(p) of title 28, United States Code, the United States Sentencing Commission submitted to the Congress these amendments to the sentencing guidelines and the reasons for the amendments. (PDF)

"Reader-friendly" version of the Proposed 2004 Guideline Amendments (.PDF format) This compilation contains unofficial text of proposed amendments to the sentencing guidelines and is provided only for the convenience of the user in the preparation of public comment. Official text of the proposed amendments can be found in the December 30, 2003 Federal Register (68 Fed. Reg. 75339) and in the edition of the Federal Register that will be published on January 14, 2004.

Effective November 1, 2003

Federal Sentencing Guidelines Manual and Appendices (2003). This manual contains the federal sentencing guidelines and policy statements effective November 1, 2003. (It is currently available only in .PDF format.)

"Reader-friendly" version of the 2003 Guideline Amendments Sent to Congress (.PDF format) Prepared by the Office of Special Counsel, United States Sentencing Commission. This compilation contains unofficial text of (A) amendments (1) made directly by the PROTECT Act, Pub. L. 108-21, effective April 30, 2003, and (2) promulgated pursuant to the PROTECT Act, effective May 30, 2003; and (B) amendments submitted to Congress on May 1, 2003, effective November 1, 2003 (unless modified or rejected by Congress). Official text of the amendments can be found on the Commission's web site and will appear in a future edition of the Federal Register.

Amendments to the Sentencing Guidelines, Policy Statements, and Official Commentary. (May 1, 2003). Pursuant to section 994(p) of title 28, United States Code, the United States Sentencing Commission submitted to the Congress these amendments to the sentencing guidelines and the reasons for the amendments. (PDF)

Effective October 27, 2003

Emergency amendment to the 2002 Guidelines Manual (Effective October 27, 2003): Promulgated by the United States Sentencing Commission in response to the Congressional directive in section 401(m) of the “Prosecutorial Remedies and Other Tools to End the Exploitation of Children Today Act of 2003” or “PROTECT Act,” Pub. L. 108-21.

Letter to Guidelines Manual Recipients from Judge Diana E. Murphy, Commission chair

Effective April 30, 2003

Supplement to the 2002 Guidelines Manual. This supplement incorporates the following: (1) emergency guideline amendments to §§2B1.1, 2E5.3, 2J1.2, 2T4.1, 3D1.2, 5E1.2, and Appendix A (Statutory Index), effective January 25, 2003; (2) the emergency promulgation of §2C1.8, effective January 25, 2003; (3) guideline amendments to §§2G2.2, 2G2.4, 3E1.1, 4B1.5, 5H1.6, 5K2.0, 5K2.13, and 5K2.20, and the promulgation of §5K2.22, made directly by Public Law 108-21 and effective April 30, 2003; and (4) guideline amendments to §2A4.1 made directly by Public Law 108-21 and effective May 30, 2003. This document supercedes the January 25, 2003 Supplement, and, when used in conjunction with the 2002 Guidelines Manual (dark teal cover), constitutes the operative Guidelines Manual effective April 30, 2003.

Effective January 25, 2003

Supplement to the 2002 Guidelines Manual. Amendments to the sentencing guidelines have been promulgated by the United States Sentencing Commission under emergency amendment authority granted by Congress. These new guidelines implement provisions under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the Campaign Finance Reform Act of 2002. The effective date is January 25, 2003.

Effective November 1, 2002

Federal Sentencing Guidelines Manual and Appendices (2002). This manual contains the federal sentencing guidelines and policy statements effective November 1, 2002.

"Reader-friendly" version of the 2002 Guideline Amendments Sent to Congress (May 1, 2002) (.PDF format) This compilation contains unofficial text of amendments submitted to Congress on May 1, 2001. It is presented in context to facilitate its reading. Absent congressional action, these amendments will take effect November 1, 2001. Official text of the amendments can be found on the Commission's web site and will appear in a future edition of the Federal Register.

Amendments to the Sentencing Guidelines, Policy Statements, and Official Commentary. (May 1, 2002). Pursuant to section 994(p) of title 28, United States Code, the United States Sentencing Commission submitted to the Congress these amendments to the sentencing guidelines and the reasons for the amendments. (PDF)

Highlights of Key Points: Amendments to the Federal Sentencing Guidelines (Effective November 1, 2002 unless modified or rejected by Congress). (PDF) Prepared by the Office of Education and Sentencing Practice.

Letter from Judge Murphy to the Senate Judiciary Committee (Senators Hatch and Leahy) on the cultural heritage penalties. (April 3, 2002)

Effective November 1, 2001

Federal Sentencing Guidelines Manual and Appendices (2001). This manual contains the federal sentencing guidelines and policy statements effective November 1, 2001.

2001_Guidelines_Manual electronic version. An electronic version of the 2001 Guidelines Manual is available for use on Palm™ PDAs. (August 2002)

"Reader-friendly" version of the 2001 Guideline Amendments Sent to Congress (May 1, 2001) (.PDF format) This compilation contains unofficial text of amendments submitted to Congress on May 1, 2001. It is presented in context to facilitate its reading. Absent congressional action, these amendments will take effect November 1, 2001. Official text of the amendments can be found on the Commission's web site and will appear in a future edition of the Federal Register.

Amendments to the Sentencing Guidelines, Policy Statements, and Official Commentary. (May 1, 2001). Pursuant to section 994(p) of title 28, United States Code, the United States Sentencing Commission submitted to the Congress these amendments to the sentencing guidelines and the reasons for the amendments. (PDF)

Effective May 1, 2001

Letter to Guidelines Manual Recipients from Chair Diana E. Murphy (April 20, 2001), Regarding Emergency amendments to §§2D1.1, 2D1.10, 2D1.11, 2G1.1, 2G2.1, 2H4.1, and 5E1.1, and Appendix A (Statutory Index); Emergency promulgation of new guideline, §2H4.2; Issuance of supplement that supercedes the Supplement to the 2000 Guidelines Manual that became effective on December 16, 2000 (.PDF)

United States Sentencing Commission Supplement to the 2000 Guidelines Manual (May 1, 2001). This supplement incorporates the emergency guideline amendments to §§2D1.1, 2D1.10, 2D1.11, 2G1.1, 2G2.1, 2H4.1, and 5E1.1, and Appendix A (Statutory Index) and the emergency promulgation of §2H4.2. This document, used in conjunction with the 2000 Guidelines Manual (dark blue cover), constitutes the operative Manual effective May 1, 2001.

Effective November 1, 2000

Federal Sentencing Guidelines Manual and Appendices (2000). This manual contains the federal sentencing guidelines and policy statements effective November 1, 2000.

Letter from the Chair Regarding Emergency Amendment to §§2D1.1, 2D1.10 Effective December 16, 2000 and Correction of Typographical Error in the Drug Quantity Table in §2D1.1 (.PDF)
Supplement to the 2000 Guidelines Manual: Promulgation of temporary, emergency amendment that implements the directive in section 102 of the Methamphetamine and Club Drug Anti-Proliferation Act of 2000 regarding increased penalties for certain amphetamine and methamphetamine offenses. (Effective December 16,2000.) (.PDF)

Effective May 1, 2000

Supplement to the 1998 Guideline Manual (May 1, 2000). This supplement incorporates the emergency guideline amendment to §2B5.3 (Criminal Infringement of Copyright or Trademark), effective May 1, 2000. This document, used in conjunction with the 1998 Guidelines Manual (rust cover), constitutes the operative Manual effective May 1, 2000. (.PDF)

Effective November 1, 1998

Federal Sentencing Guidelines Manual (1998) This manual contains the federal sentencing guidelines and policy statements effective November 1, 1998.

Notification of Clerical Error in 1997 and 1998 Editions of the Guidelines Manual (Chemical Quantity Table - Section 2D1.11).

Effective November 1, 1997

Federal Sentencing Guidelines Manual (1997) This manual contains the federal sentencing guidelines and policy statements effective November 1, 1997.

Effective November 1, 1996

Interim Publication Amendments to the Sentencing Guidelines. Incorporating guideline amendments effective November 1, 1996. To be used in conjunction with the 1995 Guidelines Manual.

Memo from Richard Conaboy, Chairman, regarding the Interim Publication.

Effective November 1, 1995

Federal Sentencing Guidelines Manual (1995) This manual contains the federal sentencing guidelines and policy statements effective November 1, 1995.Amendments to the Sentencing Guidelines.(May 1, 1997) This revised supplement incorporates regular and emergency guideline amendments effective November 1,1996, and emergency amendments effective May 1, 1997. This document supersedes the Commission's October 1, 1996, "Interim Publication" and, used in conjunction with the 1995 edition of the Guidelines Manual (burgundy cover), constitutes the operative Manual effective May 1, 1997. (.PDF Format)

Effective November 1, 1994

Federal Sentencing Guidelines Manual (1994) This manual contains the federal sentencing guidelines and policy statements effective November 1, 1994.

Amendments to the Federal Sentencing Guidelines

2002

"Reader-friendly" version of 2002 Proposed Amendments to the Sentencing Guidelines, Policy Statements, and Official Commentary (December 20, 2002) (.PDF format) This compilation contains unofficial text of proposed amendments to the sentencing guidelines and is provided only for the convenience of the user in the preparation of public comment. Official text of the proposed amendments can be found in the November 27, 2002 Federal Register (67 Fed. Reg. 70999) and the December 18, 2002 Federal Register (67 Fed. Reg. 77532).

"Reader-friendly" version of 2002 Proposed Amendments to the Sentencing Guidelines, Policy Statements, and Official Commentary (November 27, 2001 and January 17, 2002) (.PDF format) This compilation contains unofficial text of proposed amendments to the sentencing guidelines and is provided only for the convenience of the user in the preparation of public comment. Official text of the proposed amendments can be found in the Federal Register, November 27, 2001(66 Fed. Reg. 59330-59340) and January 17, 2002 (67 Fed. Reg. 2456-2475).

"Reader-friendly" version of the Proposed Amendments to the Sentencing Guidelines (November 27, 2001). (.PDF) This compilation contains unofficial text of proposed amendments to the sentencing guidelines and is provided only for the convenience of the user in the preparation of public comment. Official text of the proposed amendments can be found in the Federal Register, November 27, 2001(66 Fed. Reg. 59330-59340).

2001

Highlights of Key Points - Amendments to the Federal Sentencing Guidelines (Effective November 1, 2001, unless modified or rejected by Congress). Prepared by the Office of Education and Sentencing Practice. (PDF)

"Reader-friendly" version of 2001 Proposed Amendments to the Sentencing Guidelines (January 24, 2001) (.PDF format) This document is presented in two volumes:

Volume I: Proposed Amendments to the Sentencing Guidelines (January 24, 2001). This compilation contains unofficial text of proposed amendments to the sentencing guidelines and is provided only for the convenience of the user in the preparation of public comment. Official text of the proposed amendments was published in the Federal Register, November 7, 2000.

Volume II: Proposed Amendments to the Sentencing Guidelines (January 24, 2001). This compilation contains unofficial text of proposed amendments to the sentencing guidelines and is provided only for the convenience of the user in the preparation of public comment. Official text of the proposed amendments was published in the Federal Register, January 26, 2001.

View Important Dates

2000

"Reader-friendly" version of the 2000 Guideline Amendments Sent to Congress (May 1, 2000) (.PDF format) This version of the 2000 amendments sent to Congress is presented in context to facilitate its reading. Absent congressional action, these amendments will take effect November 1, 2000.

Amendments to the Sentencing Guidelines, Policy Statements, and Official Commentary (April 2000). Pursuant to section 994(p) of title 28, United States Code, the United States Sentencing Commission submitted to the Congress these amendments to the sentencing guidelines. The Commission specifies an effective date of November 1, 2000, for these amendments. (.PDF)

Highlights of the Amendments to the Federal Sentencing Guidelines — Effective November 1, 2000. Prepared by the Office of Education and Sentencing Practice (April 2000)

1999

"Reader-friendly" version of proposed amendments and issues for comment for 1999. (January 28, 1999) Proposed amendments and issues for comment as published in the Federal Register on November 30, 1998, in a reader-friendly format. (.PDF)

1998

1998 Amendment Highlights - This document briefly summarizes the substantive and clarifying amendments to the Guidelines Manual effective November 1, 1998. (.PDF)

"Reader-friendly" version of the 1998 Guideline Amendments Sent to Congress (May 1, 1998) (.PDF format) This version of the 1998 amendments sent to Congress is presented in context to facilitate its reading. Absent congressional action, these amendments will take effect November 1, 1998.

"Reader-friendly" version of 1998 Proposed Amendments to the Sentencing Guidelines (January 14, 1998) (.PDF format) This document presents for public comment proposed amendments to the guidelines, for the 1997-98 amendment cycle. Official text of the proposed amendments can be found in the January 6, 1998, edition of the Federal Register (Vol.63, No.3, Part II).

Amendments to the Sentencing Guidelines, Policy Statements, and Official Commentary (April 1998). Pursuant to section 994(p) of title 28, United States Code, the United States Sentencing Commission submitted to the Congress these amendments to the sentencing guidelines. The Commission specifies an effective date of November 1, 1998, for these amendments.

Commission Letters Concerning the Sentencing Guidelines

Letter Advising Continued Use of 1998 Guidelines Manual and Accompanying Letter Regarding Typographical Error in Chemical Quantity Table (§2D1.11). (October 12 &13, 1999).

Letter from the Chair Regarding Changes to the Guideline Covering the Criminal Infringement of Copyrights and Trademarks, §2B5.3. (April 17, 1999) (.PDF)

Federal Register Notices

Sentencing Commission Federal Register Notices This page contains official notices and announcements that pertain to the Commission for calendar years 1996 through 2002 (e.g., notices of proposed amendments, requests for public comment).