Judge Benjamin Hale Settle — Federal Sentencing Patterns

U.S. District Judge Benjamin Hale Settle sits in the Western District of Washington (WDWA) and granted a downward variance in 253 of 315 federal sentencings (80.3%) from FY2012–FY2025. This page shows aggregate sentencing patterns for Judge Benjamin Hale Settle, including the most common reasons cited on the Statement of Reasons (SOR) for granting a downward variance.

Top reasons Judge Benjamin Hale Settle grants downward variances

Reasons included across all guideline chapters (253 below-guideline cases out of 315 cases identified)

ReasonCasesAvg % Below Min
  1. 1.Avoid unwarranted sentencing disparities among defendants69-49.1%
  2. 2.Reduce Disparity (aggregated reason)57-55.2%
  3. 3.Criminal History Issues (aggregated reason)50-50.1%
  4. 4.(5H1.4) Drug dependence and alcohol abuse39-47.9%
  5. 5.(5K2.0) General aggravating or mitigating circumstance31-57.6%
  6. 6.Lack of Youthful Guidance31-42.0%
  7. 7.Mental and Emotional Conditions (aggregated reason)28-44.6%
  8. 8.Acceptance of responsibility25-56.8%
  9. 9.(5K3.1) Early Disposition. Fast Track program23-59.2%
  10. 10.Mule/Role in the offense19-50.7%

Zone D sentencing variance — Judge Benjamin Hale Settle

Imprisonment-only recommended sentencing zone (offense level 14+ at any criminal history). Of Judge Benjamin Hale Settle's 268 Zone D sentencings, 219 (81.7%) fell below range.

Zone D · imprisonment recommended268 cases
  • Within range
    46(17.2%)
  • Below range
    219(81.7%)
    avg −48.2% below min
  • Above range
    3(1.1%)
    avg +56.6% above max

Need case-level analysis for Judge Benjamin Hale Settle?

Want to see what those 253 below-guideline cases actually looked like? Just Metrics shows you the actual matched cases — same judge, same guideline chapter, same guideline range — and tells you what they did.

Just Metrics also surfaces Judge Benjamin Hale Settle's trial tax (sentences after trial vs. plea) and the average §5K1.1 cooperation discount.

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