Judge Joseph H. McKinley Jr. — Federal Sentencing Patterns

U.S. District Judge Joseph H. McKinley Jr. sits in the Western District of Kentucky (WDKY) and granted a downward variance in 155 of 275 federal sentencings (56.4%) from FY2012–FY2023. This page shows aggregate sentencing patterns for Judge Joseph H. McKinley Jr., including the most common reasons cited on the Statement of Reasons (SOR) for granting a downward variance.

Top reasons Judge Joseph H. McKinley Jr. grants downward variances

Reasons included across all guideline chapters (155 below-guideline cases out of 275 cases identified)

ReasonCasesAvg % Below Min
  1. 1.Criminal History Issues (aggregated reason)59-40.0%
  2. 2.Pursuant to a NONbinding (or unknown type) plea agreement35-50.7%
  3. 3.Avoid unwarranted sentencing disparities among defendants14-55.6%
  4. 4.Reduce Disparity (aggregated reason)13-45.9%
  5. 5.(5K3.1) Early Disposition. Fast Track program13-45.1%
  6. 6.(5H1.6) Family ties and responsibilities9-68.5%
  7. 7.(5H1.4) Drug dependence and alcohol abuse8-42.7%
  8. 8.(5H1.4) Physical condition7-55.1%
  9. 9.Proposed changes to the 2D1.1 drug quantity table6-41.2%
  10. 10.(5H1.5) Previous employment record5-50.7%

Zone D sentencing variance — Judge Joseph H. McKinley Jr.

Imprisonment-only recommended sentencing zone (offense level 14+ at any criminal history). Of Judge Joseph H. McKinley Jr.'s 236 Zone D sentencings, 127 (53.8%) fell below range.

Zone D · imprisonment recommended236 cases
  • Within range
    103(43.6%)
  • Below range
    127(53.8%)
    avg −41.1% below min
  • Above range
    6(2.5%)
    avg +19.9% above max

Need case-level analysis for Judge Joseph H. McKinley Jr.?

Want to see what those 155 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 Joseph H. McKinley Jr.'s trial tax (sentences after trial vs. plea) and the average §5K1.1 cooperation discount.

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