Since the United States Supreme Court decided United States v. Booker, 543 U.S. 220 (2005), judges in the federal trial courts have had discretion as to whether to impose the harsh sentences that are sometimes called for by the United States Sentencing Guidelines. Although Booker still requires District Court judges to consider the guidelines in imposing sentences, the judges are no longer bound by the guidelines. Put another way, the guidelines are now considered...
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