The federal sentencing guidelines took effect on November 1, 1987.   As a former federal probation officer, I watched a judge languish over sending a 77-year-old woman to prison for 10 years who carried drugs in her girdle.  A 20-year sentence for a marijuana grower.  Time and time again, judges complained

We all agree that the fraud guidelines are out of touch with reality. U.S. district court judges no longer find credence in the fraud guidelines.  According to the most recent sentencing statistics released by the USSC, the average sentence imposed in fraud cases is 51.4% lower than the guideline minimum. The