Judge David Sam — Federal Sentencing Patterns

U.S. District Judge David Sam sits in the District of Utah (DUT) and granted a downward variance in 152 of 227 federal sentencings (67.0%) from FY2012–FY2025. This page shows aggregate sentencing patterns for Judge David Sam, including the most common reasons cited on the Statement of Reasons (SOR) for granting a downward variance.

Top reasons Judge David Sam grants downward variances

Reasons included across all guideline chapters (152 below-guideline cases out of 227 cases identified)

ReasonCasesAvg % Below Min
  1. 1.Pursuant to a NONbinding (or unknown type) plea agreement42-48.1%
  2. 2.(5K3.1) Early Disposition. Fast Track program36-44.4%
  3. 3.(5H1.1) Age (Defendant's youth or old age)20-51.0%
  4. 4.(5H1.6) Family ties and responsibilities20-48.2%
  5. 5.(5H1.4) Drug dependence and alcohol abuse18-30.3%
  6. 6.Reduce Disparity (aggregated reason)14-41.0%
  7. 7.Criminal History Issues (aggregated reason)12-45.8%
  8. 8.Acceptance of responsibility11-38.7%
  9. 9.(5H1.5) Previous employment record10-46.9%
  10. 10.Lack of Youthful Guidance10-35.5%

Zone D sentencing variance — Judge David Sam

Imprisonment-only recommended sentencing zone (offense level 14+ at any criminal history). Of Judge David Sam's 189 Zone D sentencings, 131 (69.3%) fell below range.

Zone D · imprisonment recommended189 cases
  • Within range
    50(26.5%)
  • Below range
    131(69.3%)
    avg −43.3% below min
  • Above range
    8(4.2%)
    avg +32.4% above max

Need case-level analysis for Judge David Sam?

Want to see what those 152 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 Sam's trial tax (sentences after trial vs. plea) and the average §5K1.1 cooperation discount.

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