Judge David O. Carter — Federal Sentencing Patterns

U.S. District Judge David O. Carter sits in the Central District of California (CDCA) and granted a downward variance in 171 of 274 federal sentencings (62.4%) from FY2012–FY2025. This page shows aggregate sentencing patterns for Judge David O. Carter, including the most common reasons cited on the Statement of Reasons (SOR) for granting a downward variance.

Top reasons Judge David O. Carter grants downward variances

Reasons included across all guideline chapters (171 below-guideline cases out of 274 cases identified)

ReasonCasesAvg % Below Min
  1. 1.Acceptance of responsibility75-41.2%
  2. 2.(5H1.6) Family ties and responsibilities54-44.0%
  3. 3.Criminal History Issues (aggregated reason)45-38.1%
  4. 4.Lack of Youthful Guidance37-35.9%
  5. 5.Remorse36-36.8%
  6. 6.(5H1.4) Drug dependence and alcohol abuse33-35.7%
  7. 7.Mental and Emotional Conditions (aggregated reason)26-40.2%
  8. 8.(5H1.1) Age (Defendant's youth or old age)25-51.2%
  9. 9.(5H1.4) Physical condition17-53.5%
  10. 10.(5H1.5) Previous employment record15-59.3%

Zone D sentencing variance — Judge David O. Carter

Imprisonment-only recommended sentencing zone (offense level 14+ at any criminal history). Of Judge David O. Carter's 243 Zone D sentencings, 153 (63.0%) fell below range.

Zone D · imprisonment recommended243 cases
  • Within range
    86(35.4%)
  • Below range
    153(63.0%)
    avg −36.3% below min
  • Above range
    4(1.6%)
    avg +73.2% above max

Need case-level analysis for Judge David O. Carter?

Want to see what those 171 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 David O. Carter's trial tax (sentences after trial vs. plea) and the average §5K1.1 cooperation discount.

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