Sentencing guidelines were adopted by the federal government and various states as part of the sentencing reform movement. "How do
Judges Decide?" examined various data from
Pennsylvania, Washington, Minnesota, and Federal Court and concluded:
A. Sentences are less severe in the post-guideline era on the state level and the federal level.
B. Sentences are more severe in the post-guideline era on the state level but not the federal level.
C. Sentences are more severe in the post-guideline era on the federal level but not the state level.
D. Sentences are neither more severe nor less severe in the post-guideline era on the state level or the federal level.
E. Sentences are more severe in the post-guideline era on both a state and a federal level.