What is the federal sentencing commission?

The Federal Sentencing Commission is a federal government agency responsible for establishing the guidelines used by federal judges to determine sentences for federal crimes. The Commission was created by Congress in 1984, and its purpose is to ensure fair and consistent sentencing across the United States. The Commission develops its sentencing guidelines by collecting data on federal sentences, researching sentencing practices, and consulting with experts in the criminal justice field. The Commission then reviews the data and develops a set of guidelines to recommend to federal judges. These guidelines are intended to ensure similar sentences for similarly situated offenders and to prevent disparate sentences based on gender, race, or other factors. The Commission has eleven members, including seven lawyers, one former prosecutor, and one former defense attorney. The remaining three members typically have experience in the fields of criminal justice, psychology, sociology, or economics. The Commission meets several times a year to review sentencing data and to develop any necessary changes to its guidelines. Once the Commission’s proposed guidelines are submitted to Congress, Congress can accept or reject the proposed changes, or they can modify them to fit its own criteria. Once the guidelines are accepted, they become the law in the United States. The Federal Sentencing Commission’s guidelines are applied in all federal criminal cases, including cases in North Dakota.

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What is the federal sentencing commission?

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