Published on: Friday, December 20, 2024

Yesterday, the United States Sentencing Commission issued a press release announcing proposed amendments to the federal sentencing guidelines for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2025.  Among the proposals are those that would:

  • create an alternative to the “categorical approach” used in the career offender guideline to determine whether a conviction qualifies a defendant for enhanced penalties; 
  • simplify the “three-step” approach that courts currently use when applying the guidelines; 
  • address the guidelines’ treatment of devices designed to convert firearms into fully automatic weapons; 
  • add a mens rea requirement to the sentencing enhancement for use of stolen firearms; and 
  • resolve certain circuit conflicts regarding guideline application.