Judge Michael Ponsor — Federal Sentencing Patterns

U.S. District Judge Michael Ponsor sits in the District of Massachusetts (DMA) and granted a downward variance in 31 of 47 federal sentencings (66.0%) from FY2012–FY2015. This page shows aggregate sentencing patterns for Judge Michael Ponsor, including the most common reasons cited on the Statement of Reasons (SOR) for granting a downward variance.

Top reasons Judge Michael Ponsor grants downward variances

Reasons included across all guideline chapters (31 below-guideline cases out of 47 cases identified)

ReasonCasesAvg % Below Min
  1. 1.(5H1.6) Family ties and responsibilities16-77.4%
  2. 2.Low Likelihood of Recidivism10-65.4%
  3. 3.Lack of Youthful Guidance7-60.7%
  4. 4.(5H1.3) Mental and emotional conditions6-56.3%
  5. 5.Restitution5-93.2%
  6. 6.(5H1.4) Physical condition5-73.9%
  7. 7.(5K2.13) Diminished capacity5-62.3%
  8. 8.Rehabilitation5-59.3%
  9. 9.Criminal History Issues (aggregated reason)4-53.0%
  10. 10.Remorse3-88.9%

Zone D sentencing variance — Judge Michael Ponsor

Imprisonment-only recommended sentencing zone (offense level 14+ at any criminal history). Of Judge Michael Ponsor's 37 Zone D sentencings, 25 (67.6%) fell below range.

Zone D · imprisonment recommended37 cases
  • Within range
    12(32.4%)
  • Below range
    25(67.6%)
    avg −62.2% below min
  • Above range
    0(0.0%)

Need case-level analysis for Judge Michael Ponsor?

Want to see what those 31 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 Michael Ponsor's trial tax (sentences after trial vs. plea) and the average §5K1.1 cooperation discount.

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