Judge Jesus G. Bernal — Federal Sentencing Patterns

U.S. District Judge Jesus G. Bernal sits in the Central District of California (CDCA) and granted a downward variance in 143 of 166 federal sentencings (86.1%) from FY2013–FY2025. This page shows aggregate sentencing patterns for Judge Jesus G. Bernal, including the most common reasons cited on the Statement of Reasons (SOR) for granting a downward variance.

Top reasons Judge Jesus G. Bernal grants downward variances

Reasons included across all guideline chapters (143 below-guideline cases out of 166 cases identified)

ReasonCasesAvg % Below Min
  1. 1.(5H1.6) Family ties and responsibilities84-50.2%
  2. 2.(5H1.6) Community ties59-44.9%
  3. 3.(5H1.4) Drug dependence and alcohol abuse47-39.9%
  4. 4.(5H1.5) Previous employment record40-57.5%
  5. 5.(5H1.1) Age (Defendant's youth or old age)37-50.9%
  6. 6.Lack of Youthful Guidance23-58.2%
  7. 7.(5K2.13) Diminished capacity21-45.7%
  8. 8.(5K3.1) Early Disposition. Fast Track program13-41.4%
  9. 9.Charitable Service/Good Works (aggregated reason)11-70.8%
  10. 10.Mental and Emotional Conditions (aggregated reason)10-48.6%

Zone D sentencing variance — Judge Jesus G. Bernal

Imprisonment-only recommended sentencing zone (offense level 14+ at any criminal history). Of Judge Jesus G. Bernal's 146 Zone D sentencings, 127 (87.0%) fell below range.

Zone D · imprisonment recommended146 cases
  • Within range
    17(11.6%)
  • Below range
    127(87.0%)
    avg −44.7% below min
  • Above range
    2(1.4%)
    avg +40.5% above max

Need case-level analysis for Judge Jesus G. Bernal?

Want to see what those 143 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 Jesus G. Bernal's trial tax (sentences after trial vs. plea) and the average §5K1.1 cooperation discount.

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