Judge Nancy Ellen Brasel — Federal Sentencing Patterns

U.S. District Judge Nancy Ellen Brasel sits in the District of Minnesota (DMN) and granted a downward variance in 41 of 79 federal sentencings (51.9%) from FY2020–FY2025. This page shows aggregate sentencing patterns for Judge Nancy Ellen Brasel, including the most common reasons cited on the Statement of Reasons (SOR) for granting a downward variance.

Top reasons Judge Nancy Ellen Brasel grants downward variances

Reasons included across all guideline chapters (41 below-guideline cases out of 79 cases identified)

ReasonCasesAvg % Below Min
  1. 1.Reduce Disparity (aggregated reason)37-41.4%
  2. 2.Acceptance of responsibility35-43.4%
  3. 3.Remorse28-45.0%
  4. 4.(5H1.6) Family ties and responsibilities26-43.6%
  5. 5.Mental and Emotional Conditions (aggregated reason)26-36.9%
  6. 6.(5H1.4) Drug dependence and alcohol abuse22-32.5%
  7. 7.Lack of Youthful Guidance21-29.1%
  8. 8.(5H1.1) Age (Defendant's youth or old age)18-52.8%
  9. 9.Provide Restitution to any victims of the offense17-51.3%
  10. 10.(5H1.5) Previous employment record16-59.6%

Zone D sentencing variance — Judge Nancy Ellen Brasel

Imprisonment-only recommended sentencing zone (offense level 14+ at any criminal history). Of Judge Nancy Ellen Brasel's 70 Zone D sentencings, 34 (48.6%) fell below range.

Zone D · imprisonment recommended70 cases
  • Within range
    32(45.7%)
  • Below range
    34(48.6%)
    avg −32.5% below min
  • Above range
    4(5.7%)
    avg +40.9% above max

Need case-level analysis for Judge Nancy Ellen Brasel?

Want to see what those 41 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 Nancy Ellen Brasel's trial tax (sentences after trial vs. plea) and the average §5K1.1 cooperation discount.

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