Understanding Sentencing Practices and Primary Custody in Legal System

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Determining the Sentence
May 12, 2022
U.S. Sentencing Commission
Office of Education and Sentencing Practice
This presentation is produced and disseminated at U.S. taxpayer expense.
Learning Objectives
 
Your active engagement in this section will empower you to:
Apply
 the rules for undischarged, anticipated, and
discharged sentences;
Describe
 the three-step sentencing process; and
Evaluate 
the applicability of departures and variances.
Multiple Sentence Problem
Loren Baker is currently serving a state sentence for sale of
methamphetamine. After being sentenced in state court, the federal
government charges her with conspiracy to distribute
methamphetamine. The charged conspiracy is broader than, but
includes, the sale of methamphetamine in state court.
Your goal is to have her entire state sentence count toward the federal
sentence.
Essential Concepts
 
Primary Custody
 
The 
first sovereign
 to arrest the defendant has 
primary custody
.
 
Sovereign
 may relinquish through:
bail
dismissal
granting parole
sentence completion
 
A 
writ
 is 
NOT
 a relinquishment of primary custody.
Loren Baker is currently serving a state
sentence for sale of methamphetamine. After
being sentenced in state court, the federal
government charges her with conspiracy to
distribute methamphetamine. The charged
conspiracy is broader than, but includes, the
sale of methamphetamine in state court.
Who has primary custody?
A.
The State
B.
The Feds
Primary Custody Matters
 
The sentence in the jurisdiction
with primary custody 
must be
served first
.
 
The sentencing judge in the other
jurisdiction determines when the
other sentence begins
.
 
Concurrent?
 
Partially Concurrent?
 
Consecutive?
In our case, does the federal judge or state judge
determine whether the sentences run concurrently or
consecutively?
A.
Federal judge
B.
State judge
Calculation of Imprisonment Term
18 U.S.C. 
§ 3585(a)
 
A s
entence begins when the defendant:
 
 
 
is in custody awaiting transportation 
to serve the sentence
; or
 
 
 
arrives voluntarily 
to commence service of sentence.
BOP Custody Credit
18 U.S.C. 
§ 3585(b)
 
Official Detention:
for the instant offense
for any other charge not
credited to another
sentence
 
or
Loren Baker is currently serving a state sentence
for sale of methamphetamine. After being
sentenced in state court, the federal government
charges her with conspiracy to distribute
methamphetamine. The charged conspiracy is
broader than, but includes, the sale of
methamphetamine in state court.
Will the BOP credit Ms. Baker the time that she
spent incarcerated before the date of her federal
sentencing?
A.
Yes
B.
No
Undischarged Sentence §5G1.3(b)
 
 
Multiple Sentence Problem
 
63 Months
 
Loren Baker
 
51 Months
 
Concurrent to State Sentence
Discharged Terms of Imprisonment
§5K2.23 (p. 485)
 
Downward departure if:
 
1.
Defendant completed sentence of imprisonment; 
AND
 
2.
§5G1.3(b) would have applied otherwise.
Undischarged and Anticipated §5G1.3
Catch-All Provision
Departures and Variances
3-Step Approach to Federal Sentencing
 
 
Variances
Statement of Reasons
Departures
§1B1.1, App. Note 1(F) (p. 18)
 
A sentence 
outside of, or different
from,
 the Guidelines range; or
 
An 
assignment of a different
criminal history category
 under
§4A1.3.
In FY 2020, what is the most cited basis for a
downward departure?
A.
Criminal History
B.
Substantial Assistance
C.
Early Disposition
D.
Family Ties
Top 10 Reasons for Departure
Fiscal Year 2021
Downward Departure
1.
Early disposition program
2.
Substantial assistance with government motion
3.
The history and characteristics of the defendant
4.
Criminal history
5.
General mitigating circumstances
6.
Family ties responsibilities
7.
Reflect seriousness of offense/promotes respect for law just punishment
8.
Afford adequate deterrence to criminal conduct
9.
COVID-19/pandemic
10.
The nature and circumstance of the offense
Variance
§1B1.1, Background (p. 20)
 
A sentence imposed outside of the guidelines framework.
 
Guidelines Framework
18 U.S.C.
 §
 3553(a)
The court shall impose a
sentence 
sufficient, but
not greater than
necessary
, to comply with
the purposes of
sentencing.
History and
Characteristics
§ 3553(a)(1)-(7)
What else
must a court
consider?
Top 10 Reasons for Variance
Fiscal Year 2021
1.
The history and characteristics of the defendant
2.
Reflect seriousness of offense/promotes respect for law just punishment
3.
Afford adequate deterrence to criminal conduct
4.
The nature and circumstance of the offense
5.
Protect public from further crimes
6.
Criminal history issues
7.
Family ties responsibilities
8.
Avoid unwarranted sentencing disparity
9.
Drug dependence/alcohol abuse
10.
Age
Downward Variance
Defendant and Family Interviews
Medical Records/Evaluations
Mental Health Treatment
Substance 
Abuse Treatment
Educational
 Records
Military Service Records
Employment Records
Financial Records
Supporting
Departures
and
Variances
Commission Reports
Learning Outcomes
You should now be able to:
Apply
 the rules for undischarged, anticipated, and
discharged sentences;
Describe
 the three-step sentencing process; and
Evaluate 
the applicability of departures and variances.
Questions or Comments?
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This educational presentation by the U.S. Sentencing Commission Office covers essential concepts such as primary custody, concurrent vs. consecutive sentences, and determining the applicability of departures and variances in sentencing. It also discusses a scenario involving multiple sentences for a defendant and the significance of primary custody in determining which jurisdiction's sentence takes precedence.


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Presentation Transcript


  1. Determining the Sentence May 12, 2022 U.S. Sentencing Commission Office of Education and Sentencing Practice This presentation is produced and disseminated at U.S. taxpayer expense.

  2. Learning Objectives Your active engagement in this section will empower you to: Apply the rules for undischarged, anticipated, and discharged sentences; Describe the three-step sentencing process; and Evaluate the applicability of departures and variances.

  3. Multiple Sentence Problem Loren Baker is currently serving a state sentence for sale of methamphetamine. After being sentenced in state court, the federal government charges her with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. The charged conspiracy is broader than, but includes, the sale of methamphetamine in state court. Your goal is to have her entire state sentence count toward the federal sentence.

  4. Essential Concepts Primary Custody Concurrent/Consecutive BOP Sentence Computation Undischarged, Discharged, and Anticipated Sentences

  5. Primary Custody The first sovereign to arrest the defendant has primary custody. Sovereign may relinquish through: bail dismissal granting parole sentence completion A writ is NOT a relinquishment of primary custody.

  6. Loren Baker is currently serving a state sentence for sale of methamphetamine. After being sentenced in state court, the federal government charges her with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. The charged conspiracy is broader than, but includes, the sale of methamphetamine in state court. Who has primary custody? A. The State B. The Feds

  7. Primary Custody Matters The sentence in the jurisdiction with primary custody must be served first. Concurrent? The sentencing judge in the other jurisdiction determines when the other sentence begins. Partially Concurrent? Consecutive?

  8. In our case, does the federal judge or state judge determine whether the sentences run concurrently or consecutively? A. Federal judge B. State judge

  9. Calculation of Imprisonment Term 18 U.S.C. 3585(a) A sentence begins when the defendant: is in custody awaiting transportation to serve the sentence; or arrives voluntarily to commence service of sentence.

  10. BOP Custody Credit 18 U.S.C. 3585(b) Official Detention: for any other charge not credited to another sentence or for the instant offense

  11. Loren Baker is currently serving a state sentence for sale of methamphetamine. After being sentenced in state court, the federal government charges her with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. The charged conspiracy is broader than, but includes, the sale of methamphetamine in state court. Will the BOP credit Ms. Baker the time that she spent incarcerated before the date of her federal sentencing? A. Yes B. No

  12. Undischarged Sentence 5G1.3(b) a b R U L E R U L E Defendant Committed Offense in Prison Undischarged Sentence / Relevant Conduct c d R U L E R U L E Anticipated State Sentence / Relevant Conduct Catch-all Provision

  13. 5G1.3(b) Concepts Must be relevant conduct under 1B1.3(a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3). This mechanism should be noted clearly on the judgment. Must order remaining period to be served concurrently. Must be an undischarged term. Must adjust sentence by time not credited by BOP. May adjust below mandatory minimum.

  14. Multiple Sentence Problem Loren Baker Term already served Time Remaining to Serve 12 Months 12 Months State Sentence Concurrent to State Sentence 63 Months 51 Months Federal Sentence

  15. Discharged Terms of Imprisonment 5K2.23 (p. 485) Downward departure if: 1. Defendant completed sentence of imprisonment; AND 2. 5G1.3(b) would have applied otherwise.

  16. Undischarged and Anticipated 5G1.3 a b R U L E R U L E Defendant Committed Offense in Prison Undischarged Sentence / Relevant Conduct c d R U L E R U L E Anticipated State Sentence / Relevant Conduct Catch-all Provision

  17. Catch-All Provision a b R U L E R U L E Defendant Committed Offense in Prison Undischarged Sentence / Relevant Conduct c d R U L E R U L E Anticipated State Sentence / Relevant Conduct Catch-all Provision

  18. Departures and Variances

  19. 3-Step Approach to Federal Sentencing Guidelines Departures Variances

  20. 20 Statement of Reasons

  21. Departures 1B1.1, App. Note 1(F) (p. 18) Downward Departure GL Range A sentence outside of, or different from, the Guidelines range; or 24mo 12mo 21mo 15mo Upward Departure An assignment of a different criminal history category under 4A1.3. III III

  22. In FY 2020, what is the most cited basis for a downward departure? A. Criminal History B. Substantial Assistance C. Early Disposition D. Family Ties

  23. 23 Top 10 Reasons for Departure Fiscal Year 2021 1. Early disposition program 2. Substantial assistance with government motion Downward Departure 3. The history and characteristics of the defendant 4. Criminal history 5. General mitigating circumstances 6. Family ties responsibilities 7. Reflect seriousness of offense/promotes respect for law just punishment 8. Afford adequate deterrence to criminal conduct 9. COVID-19/pandemic 10. The nature and circumstance of the offense

  24. Variance 1B1.1, Background (p. 20) A sentence imposed outside of the guidelines framework. Guidelines Framework Downward Departure 30mo GL Range Downward Variance 24mo Upward Variance 12mo 21mo 15mo Upward Departure 6mo

  25. 18 U.S.C. 3553(a) The court shall impose a sentence sufficient, but not greater than necessary, to comply with the purposes of Punishment Deterrence Purposes Incapacitation Rehabilitation sentencing.

  26. History and Characteristics Nature and Circumstances of the Offense Restitution What else must a court consider? Unwarranted Sentencing Disparities Purposes of Sentencing 3553(a)(1)-(7) Policy Statements Kinds of Sentences Guidelines

  27. 27 Top 10 Reasons for Variance Fiscal Year 2021 1. The history and characteristics of the defendant 2. Reflect seriousness of offense/promotes respect for law just punishment 3. Afford adequate deterrence to criminal conduct Downward Variance 4. The nature and circumstance of the offense 5. Protect public from further crimes 6. Criminal history issues 7. Family ties responsibilities 8. Avoid unwarranted sentencing disparity 9. Drug dependence/alcohol abuse 10. Age

  28. Defendant and Family Interviews Medical Records/Evaluations Mental Health Treatment Supporting Departures Substance Abuse Treatment and Educational Records Variances Military Service Records Employment Records Financial Records

  29. Commission Reports

  30. Learning Outcomes You should now be able to: Apply the rules for undischarged, anticipated, and discharged sentences; Describe the three-step sentencing process; and Evaluate the applicability of departures and variances.

  31. Questions or Comments? WWW www.ussc.gov @theusscgov HelpLine |(202) 502-4545 training@ussc.gov

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