Judge Donovan W. Frank — Federal Sentencing Patterns

U.S. District Judge Donovan W. Frank sits in the District of Minnesota (DMN) and granted a downward variance in 197 of 275 federal sentencings (71.6%) from FY2012–FY2025. This page shows aggregate sentencing patterns for Judge Donovan W. Frank, including the most common reasons cited on the Statement of Reasons (SOR) for granting a downward variance.

Top reasons Judge Donovan W. Frank grants downward variances

Reasons included across all guideline chapters (197 below-guideline cases out of 275 cases identified)

ReasonCasesAvg % Below Min
  1. 1.Reduce Disparity (aggregated reason)104-36.7%
  2. 2.Avoid unwarranted sentencing disparities among defendants60-44.9%
  3. 3.(5H1.6) Family ties and responsibilities55-41.6%
  4. 4.Provide Restitution to any victims of the offense52-50.7%
  5. 5.(5H1.4) Drug dependence and alcohol abuse44-36.3%
  6. 6.Acceptance of responsibility41-40.8%
  7. 7.Mental and Emotional Conditions (aggregated reason)28-42.2%
  8. 8.Remorse27-51.6%
  9. 9.Rehabilitation22-41.0%
  10. 10.Conduct on Release/Bond/Supervision20-43.9%

Zone D sentencing variance — Judge Donovan W. Frank

Imprisonment-only recommended sentencing zone (offense level 14+ at any criminal history). Of Judge Donovan W. Frank's 244 Zone D sentencings, 175 (71.7%) fell below range.

Zone D · imprisonment recommended244 cases
  • Within range
    58(23.8%)
  • Below range
    175(71.7%)
    avg −36.3% below min
  • Above range
    11(4.5%)
    avg +18.5% above max

Need case-level analysis for Judge Donovan W. Frank?

Want to see what those 197 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 Donovan W. Frank's trial tax (sentences after trial vs. plea) and the average §5K1.1 cooperation discount.

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