What is the federal policy on career offenders?

The federal policy on career offenders is a policy meant to punish people who have committed certain serious offenses, usually felony offenses, more than once. It is based on the principle that individuals who do not respond to less severe punishments for such crimes should face harsher penalties. In Texas, the federal policy on career offenders can be found in the United States Code (USC). The USC states that anyone convicted of two separate felony offenses related to a crime of violence or to a controlled substance offense must receive a career offender sentence as a guideline range sentence. The sentence must be either the maximum term of imprisonment for the offense, or any sentence that is at least two years above the otherwise applicable guideline range. There are exceptions to this policy. For instance, if the two felony convictions involve the same type of criminal offense and the same victim, the crimes may not be considered to be separate felony offenses and thus the career offender designation may not apply. Furthermore, if the two felony convictions involve drug offenses, they may not be considered to be separate felony offenses if the convictions occurred within the same time period. It is important for Texans to be aware of the federal policy on career offenders, as they may be subject to harsher penalties if they have committed two or more serious felony offenses. If you have been convicted of a felony and are facing a possible career offender designation, you should contact an experienced criminal defense attorney to discuss your rights and your options.

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What is the federal policy on career offenders?

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