U. S. Sentencing Commission
1999 Annual Report


Table of Contents

U.S. Sentencing Commission - Year In Review
Chapter One - Commission Overview
Introduction
A Brief History of Federal Sentencing Reform
Agency Overview
Commissioners
Organization
Staffing
Budget and Expenditures
Chapter Two - The Sentencing Guidelines
Guideline Amendments
Policy Teams
Economic Crimes Policy Teams
Cellular Telephone Cloning
Identity Theft
Definition of Loss and Loss Tables
Counterfeiting
No Electronic Theft Act Policy Develoment Team
The Firearms Policy Team
Methamphetamine Policy Team
Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Weapons Policy Team
Telemarketing Fraud Policy Team
Assistance to Congress
Chapter Three - Legal Issues
Introduction
U.S. Supreme Court Decisions on Sentencing Issues
Privilege Against Self-Incrimination Applies at Sentencing Hearing
Carjacking Statute Penalty Provisions Constitute Elements of Offense
Commencement of Supervised Release
Decisions of the United States Courts of Appeals
The "Safety Valve"
Criminal History
Possession of a Firearm
Truthfully Provide Information to the Government
Acceptance of Responsibility and Safety Value
Post-Koon Appellate Departure Decisions
Chapter Four - Guideline Training and Education
Internet Web Site
Public Information
Publications and Training Materials
Training
Training New Appointees
Defense Attorney Training Initiative
District-Based Guideline Education
"High-Tech" Approaches to Training
HelpLine
Calls Received in 1999
Temporary Assignment Programs
Chapter Five - Research
Statutory Requirements
Data Collection
Data Collection Issues
Summary of 1999 Findings
Sentencing Individual Offenders
Offender Characteristics
Guideline Cases
Guideline Application
Departures and Sentences Within the Guideline Range
Drug Cases
Immigration Cases
Summary
Organizational Sentencing Practices
Offense Characteristics
Offender Characteristics
Sanctions Imposed
Appeals Data
Summary of Information Received
Issues and Guidelines Appealed
Offense and Offender Characteristics
Staff Papers and Presentations
Data Analyses for the Courts