Judge James Ray Knepp — Federal Sentencing Patterns

U.S. District Judge James Ray Knepp sits in the Northern District of Ohio (NDOH) and granted a downward variance in 43 of 71 federal sentencings (60.6%) from FY2021–FY2025. This page shows aggregate sentencing patterns for Judge James Ray Knepp, including the most common reasons cited on the Statement of Reasons (SOR) for granting a downward variance.

Top reasons Judge James Ray Knepp grants downward variances

Reasons included across all guideline chapters (43 below-guideline cases out of 71 cases identified)

ReasonCasesAvg % Below Min
  1. 1.Acceptance of responsibility21-48.6%
  2. 2.Mental and Emotional Conditions (aggregated reason)17-52.1%
  3. 3.Lack of Youthful Guidance16-56.9%
  4. 4.(5H1.1) Age (Defendant's youth or old age)14-48.8%
  5. 5.(5H1.6) Family ties and responsibilities14-48.6%
  6. 6.Remorse13-52.1%
  7. 7.(5H1.4) Drug dependence and alcohol abuse8-50.2%
  8. 8.Reduce Disparity (aggregated reason)7-44.6%
  9. 9.(5H1.4) Physical condition7-40.9%
  10. 10.Totality of Circumstances/Combination of Factors (Cook/Koon)6-32.3%

Zone D sentencing variance — Judge James Ray Knepp

Imprisonment-only recommended sentencing zone (offense level 14+ at any criminal history). Of Judge James Ray Knepp's 57 Zone D sentencings, 35 (61.4%) fell below range.

Zone D · imprisonment recommended57 cases
  • Within range
    19(33.3%)
  • Below range
    35(61.4%)
    avg −31.9% below min
  • Above range
    3(5.3%)
    avg +46.5% above max

Need case-level analysis for Judge James Ray Knepp?

Want to see what those 43 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 Ray Knepp's trial tax (sentences after trial vs. plea) and the average §5K1.1 cooperation discount.

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