	Introduction

The federal Sentencing Guidelines greatly influence the sentences imposed for federal crimes. The Guidelines process involves:
I. Identification of the most appropriate Guidelines section for the crime(s) of conviction, based on the nature of the offense (the most commonly applicable are noted in the Guidelines Index)
II. Identification of the applicable base offense level indicated by the section
III. Addition/subtraction of offense levels per section instructions for the circumstances in the case at hand
IV. Addition/subtraction of offense levels per instructions in those chapters of the Guidelines relating to 
A. Victim related matters
B. Role in the offense
C. Obstruction
D. Multiple counts
E. Acceptance of responsibility
V. Calculation of the criminal history score
VI. Application Guidelines instructions relating to
A. Imprisonment (Sentencing Table)
B. Probation
C. Supervised release
D. Special assessments
E. Fines
F. Restitution
G. Forfeiture
VII. Consideration of departures (more/less severe treatment) which the Guidelines permit 
VIII. 3553(a). The court, in determining the particular sentence to be imposed, shall consider - 
(1) the nature and circumstances of the offense and the history and characteristics of the defendant;
(2) the need for the sentence imposed - 
(A) to reflect the seriousness of the offense, to promote respect for the law, and to provide just punishment for the offense;
(B) to afford adequate deterrence to criminal conduct;
(C) to protect the public from further crimes of the defendant; and
(D) to provide the defendant with needed educational or vocational training, medical care, or other correctional treatment in the most effective manner;
(3) the kinds of sentences available;
(4) the kinds of sentence and the sentencing range established for - 
(A) the applicable category of offense committed by the applicable category of defendant as set forth in the guidelines - 
(i) issued by the Sentencing Commission ... ; and
(ii) that ... are in effect on the date the defendant is sentenced; or
(B) in the case of a violation of probation or supervised release, the applicable guidelines or policy statements issued by the Sentencing Commission ... ;
(5) any pertinent policy statement - 
(A) issued by the Sentencing Commission ... ; and
(B) that ... is in effect on the date the defendant is sentenced. "Under 18 U.S.C.
Sentencing for all serious federal noncapital crimes begins with the federal Sentencing Guidelines. Congress establishes the maximum penalty and sometimes the minimum penalty for every federal crime by statute. In between, the Guidelines establish a series of escalating sentencing ranges based on the circumstances of the offense and the criminal record of the offender. The Guidelines do so using a score-keeping procedure. The Guidelines process involves:
I. Identification of the most appropriate Guidelines section for the crime(s) of conviction, based on the nature of the offense (the most commonly applicable are noted in the Guidelines Index)
II. Identification of the applicable base offense level indicated by the section
III. Addition/subtraction of offense levels per section instructions for the circumstances in the case at hand
IV. Addition/subtraction of offense levels per instructions in those chapters of the Guidelines relating to
A. Victim related matters
B. Role in the offense
C. Obstruction
D. Multiple counts
E. Acceptance of responsibility
V. Calculation of the criminal history score
VI. Consideration of departures (more/less severe treatment) which the Guidelines permit
VII. Application Guidelines instructions relating to
A. Imprisonment (Sentencing Table)
B. Probation
C. Supervised release
D. Special assessments
E. Fines
F. Restitution
G. Forfeiture
VIII. Sentencing of Organizations
IX. Deviation based on the sentencing principles in 18 U.S.C. 3553(a).
This report is available in an abridged version entitled CRS Report R41697, How the Federal Sentencing Guidelines Work: An Abridged Overview.