FEDERAL DRUG SENTENCING GUIDELINES

The United States Sentencing Commission releases the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines each year on November 1st. Federal drug sentences are of the largest imposed in the federal court system in criminal matters.

Federal drug crimes have risen in the tougher economic times leading to more and more defendants being convicted and incarcerated in the Bureau of Prisons. This has resulted in a widespread problem of prison overcrowding issues and a huge chunk of our tax dollars being spent to house the significant number of inmates. The impact has led to Congress making changes in guidelines.

With the recent developments in crack-cocaine cases in particular, there has been much debate concerning the application of new federal drug sentencing guidelines to a defendant depending on when the crime was committed.

NLPA has an extensive background in providing top quality research assistance concerning the sentencing guidelines - especially in federal drug cases.

Don’t be fooled into thinking that just because a certain guideline range is listed in the PSI means that this is the sentence that will be imposed. Through our preparation of objections to Pre-Sentence Investigation Reports (PSI’s) and thoroughly researched and prepared sentencing memoranda, NLPA assists counsel in presenting arguments to address downward departures, mitigating factors, alternative sentencing programs and research in support of receiving a sentence lower than that which the PSI is calling for.

We have enjoyed a tremendous success in helping our clients receive lower sentences than that which their PSI Reports called for. For a more extensive listing of our victories at sentencing, click here.