Understanding the United States Sentencing Guidelines, which match a total offense level with a criminal history category for a defendant to reach an advisory guideline sentencing range, can empower you with the knowledge to navigate the legal system effectively.   

This calculation, the starting point for sentencing a defendant in a federal criminal case, is guided by the United States Sentencing Guidelines.  These guidelines have several provisions that allow for “downward departures” from the advisory guidelines range, a concept that is crucial to understand in the sentencing process.

In 1987, The United States Congress passed sentencing guidelines that created the minimum and maximum punishments convicted defendants should receive. They consider the severity of the federal crime and the defendant's prior criminal history to calculate and come up with a suggested sentence.

However, certain factors allow a federal judge to " downward depart” from the suggested minimum sentence, which is lower than the minimum sentence indicated by the sentencing guidelines.

The judge, as the ultimate authority in the sentencing process, can grant a motion for a downward departure submitted by either the federal prosecutor or criminal defense attorney if they determine that justice demands the lower sentence.

There are numerous reasons why a federal judge might give a defendant a downward departure. Still, one of the most common reasons is a scenario where they provided substantial assistance to the government in the criminal investigation of a crime.

The guidelines manual provides an extensive list of possible departures, both to the defendant's benefit and detriment.

Even if a judge is convinced a particular departure should apply under the guidelines, they still have significant discretion to vary from the guidelines based on equitable considerations outlined in Title 18 of the United States Code, Section 3553(a). This flexibility in the system ensures that each case is considered on its unique merits.

What is a 5k Departure in a Drug Case?

Many people are looking for answers regarding their federal case—whether for themselves or a loved one who has been arrested and is facing criminal charges. I usually see this 5K departure really being relevant when someone faces a mandatory minimum sentence.

For example, someone gets arrested for a drug charge, and they have enough drugs or were involved with enough drugs to trigger a five or 10-year minimum sentence. Now they're trying to figure out how to avoid getting hit with that sentence by the judge, and of course, a 5K departure is one way to do it. 

There are other ways, but the 5K is very effective, and that's why we discuss what a 5K departure means in a federal criminal case here.

What is a Proffer Session?

What you're talking about is that the person attempting to seek a 5K departure cooperates with the government.  That means they have to sit down for a proffer session where they talk to the government. 

The government asks many questions about a person's involvement in a crime, and it may also want to know about other crimes or people who were involved in the crime that the person is being charged with.

For example, in our drug case, if somebody were caught with 10 kilos of methamphetamine and were cooperating with the government, they would want to know where they went to get the methamphetamine so they could try to go after what they call the supplier. That's one example of how someone could cooperate with the government by giving information.

What is a Plea Agreement?

What ends up happening if you successfully talk to the government and they believe you're trying to help them and they either want to give you credit for the information you provided, in your plea agreement, they're going to put language in there that talks about the 5K departure that talks about the cooperation.

Sometimes, the language will go directly into your plea agreement. Other times, if cooperating is dangerous, they will usually give you a separate agreement filed under seal. 

That means you'll have a separate agreement that is sealed and that only the judge, the prosecutor, and your attorney will be able to see.

That cooperation agreement says that if you provide substantial assistance to the government, then the government will, in turn, give you cooperation points. 

This means that they will allow you to go below any mandatory minimum – whether it's a five or ten-year mandatory minimum, and on top of that, and you give them excellent information, and they catch people, get drugs, get guns – whatever the case may be – then they will knock levels off your sentence depending on how fruitful your cooperation is. 

Of course, they say in the language that it is in their sole discretion, which means they get to decide whether or not your cooperation was good enough.  If it was, how much benefit they're going to give you?

Contact a Federal Criminal Defense Professional

That's just the way it is.  Across the nation, that's how the prosecutors do it.  Many defendants don't like that because if it's their decision, then I'm in a position of what if they don't like what I say, then I'll get no benefit for the cooperation.

That's just the nature of cooperation.  That's just how it works.  Sometimes, you can even get the judge involved because, ultimately, they have to decide whether or not you're going to get the 5K departure.

They also decide whether or not you're going to get to go below the mandatory minimum and whether or not you're going to get any levels shaved off your sentence.

So, that's a thumbnail sketch of what a 5K departure entails. The best thing to do is to sit down with an attorney like me, who's got almost 30 years of experience in federal criminal defense, and give me the facts and details of your situation.

Afterward, we can discuss specifically in the context of your case what you might be able to do and what benefits you might be able to get.

So, pick up the phone if you need the best and have a federal criminal case.  Ask for a meeting with Ron Hedding. At the Hedding Law Firm, we offer a free case evaluation via phone or contact form. Having a skilled attorney by your side can provide the support and guidance you need during this challenging time.