The Failure of the U.S. Sentencing Commission’s Guidelines

Michael Tonry

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

The U.S. Sentencing Commission’s guidelines have failed to win acceptance by federal judges and other practitioners and have not been shown to have reduced sentencing disparities in the federal courts. Many state guidelines systems by contrast have been accepted by affected practitioners and have reduced sentencing disparities. The federal guidelines were unpopular in 1987 when they were first implemented and are more unpopular today because of their rigidity, harshness, and complexity. The guidelines should be substantially revised or repealed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)131-149
Number of pages19
JournalCrime & Delinquency
Volume39
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1993

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