Judge Linda Lopez — Federal Sentencing Patterns

U.S. District Judge Linda Lopez sits in the Southern District of California (SDCA) and granted a downward variance in 127 of 142 federal sentencings (89.4%) from FY2021–FY2025. This page shows aggregate sentencing patterns for Judge Linda Lopez, including the most common reasons cited on the Statement of Reasons (SOR) for granting a downward variance.

Top reasons Judge Linda Lopez grants downward variances

Reasons included across all guideline chapters (127 below-guideline cases out of 142 cases identified)

ReasonCasesAvg % Below Min
  1. 1.Waiver of appeal88-61.1%
  2. 2.(5K3.1) Early Disposition. Fast Track program78-55.0%
  3. 3.Acceptance of responsibility75-64.3%
  4. 4.Remorse66-67.0%
  5. 5.Waiver of indictment66-63.4%
  6. 6.(5H1.6) Family ties and responsibilities57-63.9%
  7. 7.(5K2.0) General aggravating or mitigating circumstance35-62.8%
  8. 8.(5H1.4) Drug dependence and alcohol abuse32-65.2%
  9. 9.Mule/Role in the offense29-73.3%
  10. 10.(5H1.5) Previous employment record29-70.6%

Zone D sentencing variance — Judge Linda Lopez

Imprisonment-only recommended sentencing zone (offense level 14+ at any criminal history). Of Judge Linda Lopez's 119 Zone D sentencings, 113 (95.0%) fell below range.

Zone D · imprisonment recommended119 cases
  • Within range
    3(2.5%)
  • Below range
    113(95.0%)
    avg −55.8% below min
  • Above range
    3(2.5%)
    avg +14.6% above max

Need case-level analysis for Judge Linda Lopez?

Want to see what those 127 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 Linda Lopez's trial tax (sentences after trial vs. plea) and the average §5K1.1 cooperation discount.

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