Legal Definitions - USSG

USSG

USSG stands for United States Sentencing Guidelines. These are rules that judges use to determine the appropriate sentence for someone who has been convicted of a federal crime.

• If someone is convicted of fraud, the USSG will provide guidance to the judge on what the appropriate sentence should be based on the severity of the crime and the defendant's criminal history.
• The USSG may recommend a longer sentence for someone who committed a violent crime compared to someone who committed a non-violent crime.

The examples illustrate how the USSG provides guidance to judges on how to determine the appropriate sentence for someone who has been convicted of a federal crime. The guidelines take into account the severity of the crime and the defendant's criminal history to ensure that the punishment fits the crime.