Judge Phyllis Jean Hamilton — Federal Sentencing Patterns

U.S. District Judge Phyllis Jean Hamilton sits in the Northern District of California (NDCA) and granted a downward variance in 80 of 175 federal sentencings (45.7%) from FY2012–FY2020. This page shows aggregate sentencing patterns for Judge Phyllis Jean Hamilton, including the most common reasons cited on the Statement of Reasons (SOR) for granting a downward variance.

Top reasons Judge Phyllis Jean Hamilton grants downward variances

Reasons included across all guideline chapters (80 below-guideline cases out of 175 cases identified)

ReasonCasesAvg % Below Min
  1. 1.Criminal History Issues (aggregated reason)15-46.0%
  2. 2.(5H1.6) Family ties and responsibilities11-47.0%
  3. 3.Avoid unwarranted sentencing disparities among defendants10-51.2%
  4. 4.(5H1.5) Previous employment record10-44.0%
  5. 5.Reduce Disparity (aggregated reason)8-29.3%
  6. 6.Pursuant to a NONbinding (or unknown type) plea agreement8-27.2%
  7. 7.(5K3.1) Early Disposition. Fast Track program6-35.1%
  8. 8.(5H1.1) Age (Defendant's youth or old age)5-46.0%
  9. 9.(5H1.4) Physical condition4-58.4%
  10. 10.Rehabilitation4-54.2%

Zone D sentencing variance — Judge Phyllis Jean Hamilton

Imprisonment-only recommended sentencing zone (offense level 14+ at any criminal history). Of Judge Phyllis Jean Hamilton's 151 Zone D sentencings, 73 (48.3%) fell below range.

Zone D · imprisonment recommended151 cases
  • Within range
    77(51.0%)
  • Below range
    73(48.3%)
    avg −37.6% below min
  • Above range
    1(0.7%)
    avg +18.3% above max

Need case-level analysis for Judge Phyllis Jean Hamilton?

Want to see what those 80 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 Phyllis Jean Hamilton's trial tax (sentences after trial vs. plea) and the average §5K1.1 cooperation discount.

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