Judge James E. Gritzner — Federal Sentencing Patterns

U.S. District Judge James E. Gritzner sits in the Southern District of Iowa (SDIA) and granted a downward variance in 149 of 341 federal sentencings (43.7%) from FY2012–FY2023. This page shows aggregate sentencing patterns for Judge James E. Gritzner, including the most common reasons cited on the Statement of Reasons (SOR) for granting a downward variance.

Top reasons Judge James E. Gritzner grants downward variances

Reasons included across all guideline chapters (149 below-guideline cases out of 341 cases identified)

ReasonCasesAvg % Below Min
  1. 1.Criminal History Issues (aggregated reason)35-31.9%
  2. 2.Avoid unwarranted sentencing disparities among defendants32-38.0%
  3. 3.(5H1.6) Family ties and responsibilities20-46.2%
  4. 4.General Guideline Adequacy Issues (aggregated reason)17-37.8%
  5. 5.(5H1.1) Age (Defendant's youth or old age)14-46.1%
  6. 6.Pursuant to a NONbinding (or unknown type) plea agreement13-55.8%
  7. 7.Rehabilitation12-44.1%
  8. 8.Provide Restitution to any victims of the offense11-96.1%
  9. 9.Mule/Role in the offense11-34.5%
  10. 10.Remorse10-46.2%

Zone D sentencing variance — Judge James E. Gritzner

Imprisonment-only recommended sentencing zone (offense level 14+ at any criminal history). Of Judge James E. Gritzner's 297 Zone D sentencings, 131 (44.1%) fell below range.

Zone D · imprisonment recommended297 cases
  • Within range
    160(53.9%)
  • Below range
    131(44.1%)
    avg −37.7% below min
  • Above range
    6(2.0%)
    avg +33.3% above max

Need case-level analysis for Judge James E. Gritzner?

Want to see what those 149 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 James E. Gritzner's trial tax (sentences after trial vs. plea) and the average §5K1.1 cooperation discount.

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