USSG
Law & Legal abbreviation · Criminal Law
| Stands for | United States Sentencing Guidelines |
|---|---|
| Categories | Law & Legal |
USSG stands for United States Sentencing Guidelines, a criminal law abbreviation.
Rules issued by the US Sentencing Commission that calculate a recommended sentencing range for federal offenses from an offense level and the defendant's criminal history. Judges must calculate the range but may impose a different sentence after weighing statutory factors.
Example: With a total offense level of 23 and criminal history category II, the USSG range is 51 to 63 months.
Usage notes
Created under the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984, the guidelines took effect on November 1, 1987. The sentencing table has 43 offense levels and six criminal history categories. United States v. Booker (2005) made the guidelines advisory. Amendments take effect each November 1 unless Congress intervenes. Citation form: "U.S.S.G. § 2B1.1".
Related abbreviations
More criminal law abbreviations
- 5K – Substantial assistance departure (U.S.S.G. § 5K1.1)
- ACD – Adjournment in contemplation of dismissal
- ADW – Assault with a deadly weapon
- ARD – Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition
- B&E – Breaking and entering
- BOP – Federal Bureau of Prisons
- BW – Bench warrant
- CDS – Controlled dangerous substance
- CI – Confidential informant
- CO – Correctional officer
- COA – Certificate of appealability
- cr – Criminal (case-type code)
See all 46 criminal law abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not legal advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.