On January 30, 2026, the United States Sentencing Commission voted to publish additional proposed amendments to the United States Sentencing Guidelines. The Sentencing Guidelines provide judges with recommended sentencing ranges for defendants convicted of crimes in federal court. After considering the Guidelines, courts calculate offense levels and criminal history scores based on the offense conduct, criminal history of the defendant, and various adjustments. The resulting offense level and criminal history score correspond to a sentencing range in the Sentencing Table matrix.
What are Zones in the Sentencing Table?
The zones in the Sentencing Table provide the courts with different types of sentencing options.
Zone A allows for:
- Fine only
- Probation (with or without community confinement/home detention)
- Imprisonment
Zone B allows for:
- Probation with community confinement/home detention
- A split sentence
- Imprisonment
Zone C allows for:
- A split sentence
- Imprisonment
Zone D allows for:
- Imprisonment only
Proposed Chances to the Sentencing Table’s Zones
If promulgated, the proposed amendment to the Zones would expand Zone B and Zone C, while shrinking the reach of Zone D, particularly or defendants in Criminal History Category I. This means that courts will have more options in sentencing defendants with either no criminal history or those that score one criminal history point to penalties other than imprisonment. Criminal history events that result in one point are events where the sentences were less than 60 days or a non-imprisonment sentence like probation or a fine were imposed.
How Does the USSC Amendment Cycle Work?
After publishing priorities, researching issues, working with stakeholders, and receiving public comment, the United States Sentencing Commission publishes its proposed amendments in January. The Commission continues to hold public hearings and review public comment on the proposals throughout February and March, before the Commissioners vote to promulgate the final amendments. Once the Commission promulgates its final amendments, it delivers them to Congress in May. The amendments go into effect on November 1 unless Congress affirmatively disapproves the amendments. This means that the potential changes to the sentencing table, if promulgated by the Commission and not disapproved by Congress, would go into effect on November 1, 2026.
Contact Moore, Christoff & Siddiqui’s Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys
Our federal criminal defense attorneys are experienced in defending clients against federal felony and misdemeanor charges. From initial negotiations to trial, it is important that your attorney is familiar with the federal sentencing guidelines. We assist clients in the US District Court for the District of Columbia and the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation regarding your federal charges.
