Specific Characteristics in Clearwater Federal Offenses

Specific characteristics in Clearwater federal offense cases are defined as the person’s role in the offense. There are different levels of categorizing the individual involved in a federal offense depending on their role in the charge. There is a four-level increase if the person is a leader or organizer. If the person is not a lead organizer and they played a minor role, perhaps it could be a four-level decrease in their Sentencing Guidelines score. A distinguished federal criminal attorney can help you gain perspective on the possible outcomes of your case and speak on your behalf when they can.

What Role Does Money Play in Federal Characterizations?

Another example of specific characteristics in Clearwater federal offense cases is the amount of dollars involved in the crime. The more money involved, the higher the score. The less money involved in the crime, the lower the score. Whether someone was injured will also be taken into account when determining score. The Federal Guidelines have many categories that can increase or decrease the person’s score.

Most of the categories increase the score. Another category which can affect the score would be substantial assistance. The Government can move to reduce that person’s sentence based on the person’s cooperation with the Government. In fact, the Government can even move to reduce that sentence below any minimum mandatory sentence if the person cooperates and helps them.

Penalties Associated in Federal Offense Cases

There is substantial assistance if the person helped the government such as a sentence reduction. If the person pleads guilty, thus avoiding the expense of trial preparation and trial, that person can receive a reduced sentence. If it is an economic crime case, the amount the person intended to steal can increase the person’s sentence; as well as the person’s role in the offense which could increase or decrease the person’s sentence.

Common specific characteristics in Clearwater federal offense cases often include:

The amount of money the person allegedly wanted to steal
The individual’s role in the offense
Whether or not they cooperated with the Government
Whether they hindered the Government investigation
Increased sentencing for those who have obstructed justice

If someone has prior convictions and whether they were based on violence are likely considered in associated federal crime penalties.

Related Federal Offenses

There are different crimes; some merely attempts. As an example, if a person did not complete the crime, but just attempted the crime, that would have a lower score than someone who actually completed the crime. If the person was the leader of the operation, their sentencing could increase.

In contrast, if the person was just some low-level player in the crime, that could decrease the person’s sentence. Violence and potentially putting an institution at risk are factors which would have a tremendous impact on the person’s sentence.

Relevance of a Criminal History

The two main factors on the Federal Sentencing Guidelines grid are the offense itself and the prior record. The offense number, whatever the level is that the person gets on the offense with same severity is in the left-hand column. Across the top, are the person’s number of prior convictions. The person will get their score. Each column increases the amount of counts that are recommended to a judge for the person’s sentence.

If it was a crime of violence, that can increase a person’s sentence. If the person’s criminal history shows a past record of violence; maybe recently released from prison; these factors would increase the person’s sentence. If the person was on probation when he committed the offense would increase their sentence.

If someone has six prior convictions, their sentence could be 120 months to 130 months as opposed to a person who has no prior convictions in the same offense, who would be subject to 30 months to 50 months. The person’s prior convictions and criminal record will increase the recommended score along the grid for that particular sentencing offense.