United States Sentencing Commission Proposes 2025 Amendments to the Guidelines

On May 1, 2025 the United States Sentencing Commission promulgated its 2025 Amendments that will take effect November 1, 2025. One of the most important 2025 amendments is to eliminate policy statements under U.S.S.G. §5H1and departures U.S.S.G. §5K2.0. Although, at first blush this may seem a step back from individualized sentences, but in fact it is likely to provide sentencing courts with a greater ability to individualize sentences and grant variances to the adjusted guideline level when appropriate. We here at National Prison & Sentencing Consultants (NPSC) believe that the new focus will be on variances and allowing courts to but more focus on the individual that is being sentenced. For 25 years, NPSC has always focused on the individual and investigate and present every fact that would allow a court to focus on a sentence based on offense and offender characteristics, rather than a strict application of the Guidelines. Although these Amendments go into effect on November 1, 2025 it is very likely courts will begin applying them between now and November 1, 2025. Sentence mitigation work well prior to the imposition of a federal sentence is more important than ever. Feel free to email us with any questions or call at 615-696-6153