Judge Cathy Bissoon — Federal Sentencing Patterns

U.S. District Judge Cathy Bissoon sits in the Western District of Pennsylvania (WDPA) and granted a downward variance in 93 of 254 federal sentencings (36.6%) from FY2012–FY2025. This page shows aggregate sentencing patterns for Judge Cathy Bissoon, including the most common reasons cited on the Statement of Reasons (SOR) for granting a downward variance.

Top reasons Judge Cathy Bissoon grants downward variances

Reasons included across all guideline chapters (93 below-guideline cases out of 254 cases identified)

ReasonCasesAvg % Below Min
  1. 1.Acceptance of responsibility29-48.7%
  2. 2.Pursuant to a NONbinding (or unknown type) plea agreement28-39.2%
  3. 3.Criminal History Issues (aggregated reason)11-67.9%
  4. 4.(5H1.4) Physical condition6-80.2%
  5. 5.Mental and Emotional Conditions (aggregated reason)6-59.5%
  6. 6.Rehabilitation6-49.3%
  7. 7.(5H1.4) Drug dependence and alcohol abuse5-56.4%
  8. 8.(5K2.20) Aberrant Behavior4-100.0%
  9. 9.Remorse4-59.6%
  10. 10.Lack of Youthful Guidance4-59.1%

Zone D sentencing variance — Judge Cathy Bissoon

Imprisonment-only recommended sentencing zone (offense level 14+ at any criminal history). Of Judge Cathy Bissoon's 194 Zone D sentencings, 64 (33.0%) fell below range.

Zone D · imprisonment recommended194 cases
  • Within range
    118(60.8%)
  • Below range
    64(33.0%)
    avg −39.4% below min
  • Above range
    12(6.2%)
    avg +42.9% above max

Need case-level analysis for Judge Cathy Bissoon?

Want to see what those 93 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 Cathy Bissoon's trial tax (sentences after trial vs. plea) and the average §5K1.1 cooperation discount.

EXPLORE JUST METRICS →