Judge Lawrence L. Piersol — Federal Sentencing Patterns

U.S. District Judge Lawrence L. Piersol sits in the District of South Dakota (DSD) and granted a downward variance in 42 of 94 federal sentencings (44.7%) from FY2012–FY2025. This page shows aggregate sentencing patterns for Judge Lawrence L. Piersol, including the most common reasons cited on the Statement of Reasons (SOR) for granting a downward variance.

Top reasons Judge Lawrence L. Piersol grants downward variances

Reasons included across all guideline chapters (42 below-guideline cases out of 94 cases identified)

ReasonCasesAvg % Below Min
  1. 1.Criminal History Issues (aggregated reason)18-42.0%
  2. 2.Low Likelihood of Recidivism8-49.4%
  3. 3.(5K2.0) General aggravating or mitigating circumstance8-40.3%
  4. 4.(5H1.6) Family ties and responsibilities5-50.7%
  5. 5.(5H1.1) Age (Defendant's youth or old age)4-34.7%
  6. 6.Mule/Role in the offense4-25.8%
  7. 7.Provide Restitution to any victims of the offense3-99.8%
  8. 8.Nonviolent Offense3-51.6%
  9. 9.(5H1.4) Drug dependence and alcohol abuse3-28.7%

Zone D sentencing variance — Judge Lawrence L. Piersol

Imprisonment-only recommended sentencing zone (offense level 14+ at any criminal history). Of Judge Lawrence L. Piersol's 63 Zone D sentencings, 33 (52.4%) fell below range.

Zone D · imprisonment recommended63 cases
  • Within range
    30(47.6%)
  • Below range
    33(52.4%)
    avg −35.2% below min
  • Above range
    0(0.0%)

Need case-level analysis for Judge Lawrence L. Piersol?

Want to see what those 42 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 Lawrence L. Piersol's trial tax (sentences after trial vs. plea) and the average §5K1.1 cooperation discount.

EXPLORE JUST METRICS →