Introduction to Federal Sentencing

This course provides an introductory overview to sentencing in federal criminal cases. It will discuss relevant case law, statutes, and Sentencing Guidelines that determine how sentences are calculated and imposed in federal court. It also will discuss the pre-sentencing process leading up to the sentencing court proceeding, and issues to be raised after a sentence is imposed.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the sentencing process in federal court, including the steps leading up to the imposition of sentence

2. Become familiar with the key statutes that govern how sentences are determined

3. Learn about the Sentencing Guidelines and the role they play in calculating a defendant's potential sentence

4. Learn about the various components of the Guidelines that determine a defendant's recommended punishment

5. Identify issues that should be raised after a sentence is imposed