Interactive federal sentencing resource

Understand how a federal guideline estimate is built.

Choose the charge, identify possible adjustments, add criminal history, and see a transparent line-by-line estimate under the selected Guidelines Manual.

Step 1 of 5

What federal charge are you reviewing?

Search by statute number or everyday name. Add every count you want included.

Manual year

Start with what you know

You do not need to understand the Guidelines to use this tool.

You can omit periods, spaces, the § symbol, and parentheses. Try “18 usc,” “922g,” or the everyday charge name.

Drugs

Drug trafficking or conspiracy

21 U.S.C. §§ 841, 846

The actual base level is normally controlled by drug type and converted drug weight. Start at 12 only when quantity is not yet known.

Guideline §2D1.1 · Detailed calculation profile available

Firearms

Prohibited person in possession of firearm or ammunition

18 U.S.C. § 922(g)

The starting level is not always 14. Select the greatest §2K2.1(a) base-level rule that applies, then answer the charge-specific questions below.

Guideline §2K2.1 · Detailed calculation profile available

Firearms

Firearm during crime of violence or drug trafficking

18 U.S.C. § 924(c)

The guideline sentence is generally the statutory mandatory consecutive term, not an offense-level calculation.

Guideline §2K2.4 · Detailed calculation profile available

Fraud

Mail, wire, or bank fraud

18 U.S.C. §§ 1341, 1343, 1344

Loss, victims, sophistication, and conduct-specific features commonly drive the calculation.

Guideline §2B1.1 · Detailed calculation profile available

Fraud

False statements — fraud or financial-loss conduct

18 U.S.C. § 1001

Use this pathway when the false-statement conduct is treated as fraud or deceit rather than obstruction of justice. Appendix A also identifies §2J1.2, so choose the obstruction pathway instead when that better describes the offense conduct.

Guideline §2B1.1 · Detailed calculation profile available

Justice

False statements — obstruction-related conduct

18 U.S.C. § 1001

Use this pathway when the false statement was made to obstruct an investigation, prosecution, or administration of justice. Appendix A also identifies §2B1.1 for § 1001.

Guideline §2J1.2 · Detailed calculation profile available

Fraud

Aggravated identity theft

18 U.S.C. § 1028A

Ordinarily carries a mandatory 24-month term consecutive to the underlying felony.

Guideline §2B1.6 · Detailed calculation profile available

Financial

Money laundering

18 U.S.C. §§ 1956, 1957

The base may derive from the underlying offense or from the value of laundered funds.

Guideline §2S1.1 · Detailed calculation profile available

Violence

Bank robbery

18 U.S.C. § 2113

Weapon use, injury, amount taken, and victim restraint commonly affect the score.

Guideline §2B3.1 · Detailed calculation profile available

Violence

Aggravated assault

18 U.S.C. § 113

Weapon conduct, injury, intent, and victim status may alter the result.

Guideline §2A2.2 · Detailed calculation profile available

Violence

Homicide

18 U.S.C. §§ 1111, 1112

The correct homicide guideline and cross-references are critical. Level 43 represents first-degree murder only.

Guideline §§2A1.1–2A1.4 · Detailed calculation profile available

Violence

Kidnapping

18 U.S.C. § 1201

Ransom, injury, weapon use, duration, exploitation, and cross-references may apply.

Guideline §2A4.1 · Detailed calculation profile available

Sex Offenses

Sexual exploitation / production involving a minor

18 U.S.C. § 2251

Age, sexual conduct, distribution, custody/control, and technology can produce significant increases.

Guideline §2G2.1 · Detailed calculation profile available

Sex Offenses

Receipt or distribution of child sexual abuse material

18 U.S.C. § 2252(a)(2), § 2252A(a)(2)

The guideline contains cumulative offense characteristics; mandatory minimums may apply.

Guideline §2G2.2 · Detailed calculation profile available

Sex Offenses

Possession of child sexual abuse material

18 U.S.C. § 2252(a)(4), § 2252A(a)(5)

Similar offense characteristics apply, but receipt and possession carry different bases and statutory exposure.

Guideline §2G2.2 · Detailed calculation profile available

Sex Offenses

Coercion or enticement of a minor

18 U.S.C. § 2422(b)

Custody, undue influence, sexual acts, commercial conduct, and computer use may affect the calculation.

Guideline §2G1.3 · Detailed calculation profile available

Immigration

Illegal reentry

8 U.S.C. § 1326

Prior removal timing and prior convictions drive many increases.

Guideline §2L1.2 · Detailed calculation profile available

Justice

Obstruction, witness tampering, or evidence interference

18 U.S.C. §§ 1503, 1512

Injury, substantial interference, extensive scope, and cross-references may apply.

Guideline §2J1.2 · Detailed calculation profile available

Read the estimate responsibly

A useful starting point—not a prediction of the sentence.

Facts control

The PSR, plea agreement, trial record, relevant conduct, objections, and judicial findings can change the score.

Rules interact

Cross-references, grouping, career-offender rules, mandatory terms, departures, and variances require separate analysis.

Manual year matters

The court generally applies the manual in effect at sentencing unless doing so creates an ex post facto concern.