Assignment Details
As an investigator with the Federal Public Defender’s Office, you are assisting Assistant Federal Defender Lilly Jones with gathering background information on offender Ben Smith, who pled guilty to distribution of a controlled substance (5 kilograms of cocaine). Mr. Smith is being sentenced next month.
In a 2–3-page paper, provide an overview of the following:
- What are the sentencing guidelines, and how would they impact sentencing in this matter?
- Why were sentencing guidelines developed, and what is their purpose?
- How would sentencing guidelines impact the sentencing of this case? Do they allow judges enough discretion when imposing a sentence?
- Should judges have more or less discretion when it comes to sentencing?
- What are the 3 most important things Ms. Jones should tell the judge at sentencing about Mr. Smith to aid in sentencing?
