Judge Karen Spencer Marston — Federal Sentencing Patterns

U.S. District Judge Karen Spencer Marston sits in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania (EDPA) and granted a downward variance in 17 of 33 federal sentencings (51.5%) from FY2021–FY2025. This page shows aggregate sentencing patterns for Judge Karen Spencer Marston, including the most common reasons cited on the Statement of Reasons (SOR) for granting a downward variance.

Top reasons Judge Karen Spencer Marston grants downward variances

Reasons included across all guideline chapters (17 below-guideline cases out of 33 cases identified)

ReasonCasesAvg % Below Min
  1. 1.Criminal History Issues (aggregated reason)8-20.6%
  2. 2.Remorse6-63.8%
  3. 3.Mental and Emotional Conditions (aggregated reason)5-33.3%
  4. 4.(5H1.4) Drug dependence and alcohol abuse5-30.1%
  5. 5.(5H1.6) Family ties and responsibilities4-65.4%
  6. 6.(5H1.1) Age (Defendant's youth or old age)4-17.5%
  7. 7.Charitable Service/Good Works (aggregated reason)3-100.0%
  8. 8.Provide Restitution to any victims of the offense3-75.4%
  9. 9.Nonviolent Offense3-57.4%
  10. 10.Reduce Disparity (aggregated reason)3-47.8%

Zone D sentencing variance — Judge Karen Spencer Marston

Imprisonment-only recommended sentencing zone (offense level 14+ at any criminal history). Of Judge Karen Spencer Marston's 30 Zone D sentencings, 17 (56.7%) fell below range.

Zone D · imprisonment recommended30 cases
  • Within range
    12(40.0%)
  • Below range
    17(56.7%)
    avg −39.9% below min
  • Above range
    1(3.3%)
    avg +75.0% above max

Need case-level analysis for Judge Karen Spencer Marston?

Want to see what those 17 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 Karen Spencer Marston's trial tax (sentences after trial vs. plea) and the average §5K1.1 cooperation discount.

EXPLORE JUST METRICS →