Judge Cecilia Altonaga — Federal Sentencing Patterns

U.S. District Judge Cecilia Altonaga sits in the Southern District of Florida (SDFL) and granted a downward variance in 327 of 702 federal sentencings (46.6%) from FY2012–FY2025. This page shows aggregate sentencing patterns for Judge Cecilia Altonaga, including the most common reasons cited on the Statement of Reasons (SOR) for granting a downward variance.

Top reasons Judge Cecilia Altonaga grants downward variances

Reasons included across all guideline chapters (327 below-guideline cases out of 702 cases identified)

ReasonCasesAvg % Below Min
  1. 1.Reduce Disparity (aggregated reason)75-32.8%
  2. 2.Avoid unwarranted sentencing disparities among defendants48-39.2%
  3. 3.Criminal History Issues (aggregated reason)27-29.2%
  4. 4.(5H1.6) Family ties and responsibilities25-35.9%
  5. 5.Cooperation without motion (not §5K1.1) (aggregated reason)21-32.7%
  6. 6.Pursuant to a NONbinding (or unknown type) plea agreement14-47.6%
  7. 7.Acceptance of responsibility13-52.0%
  8. 8.Mental and Emotional Conditions (aggregated reason)13-49.9%
  9. 9.Remorse13-46.6%
  10. 10.(5H1.1) Age (Defendant's youth or old age)12-34.4%

Zone D sentencing variance — Judge Cecilia Altonaga

Imprisonment-only recommended sentencing zone (offense level 14+ at any criminal history). Of Judge Cecilia Altonaga's 575 Zone D sentencings, 270 (47.0%) fell below range.

Zone D · imprisonment recommended575 cases
  • Within range
    287(49.9%)
  • Below range
    270(47.0%)
    avg −33.1% below min
  • Above range
    18(3.1%)
    avg +29.2% above max

Need case-level analysis for Judge Cecilia Altonaga?

Want to see what those 327 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 Cecilia Altonaga's trial tax (sentences after trial vs. plea) and the average §5K1.1 cooperation discount.

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