Judge Robert E. Payne — Federal Sentencing Patterns

U.S. District Judge Robert E. Payne sits in the Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA) and granted a downward variance in 69 of 316 federal sentencings (21.8%) from FY2012–FY2025. This page shows aggregate sentencing patterns for Judge Robert E. Payne, including the most common reasons cited on the Statement of Reasons (SOR) for granting a downward variance.

Top reasons Judge Robert E. Payne grants downward variances

Reasons included across all guideline chapters (69 below-guideline cases out of 316 cases identified)

ReasonCasesAvg % Below Min
  1. 1.Criminal History Issues (aggregated reason)15-51.7%
  2. 2.Avoid unwarranted sentencing disparities among defendants10-58.7%
  3. 3.Acceptance of responsibility9-82.1%
  4. 4.(5H1.6) Family ties and responsibilities9-71.8%
  5. 5.Provide Restitution to any victims of the offense8-79.9%
  6. 6.Mental and Emotional Conditions (aggregated reason)8-46.9%
  7. 7.Mule/Role in the offense7-54.4%
  8. 8.(5H1.4) Physical condition6-78.5%
  9. 9.Remorse5-55.1%
  10. 10.Reduce Disparity (aggregated reason)5-45.8%

Zone D sentencing variance — Judge Robert E. Payne

Imprisonment-only recommended sentencing zone (offense level 14+ at any criminal history). Of Judge Robert E. Payne's 244 Zone D sentencings, 55 (22.5%) fell below range.

Zone D · imprisonment recommended244 cases
  • Within range
    162(66.4%)
  • Below range
    55(22.5%)
    avg −50.4% below min
  • Above range
    27(11.1%)
    avg +55.5% above max

Need case-level analysis for Judge Robert E. Payne?

Want to see what those 69 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 Robert E. Payne's trial tax (sentences after trial vs. plea) and the average §5K1.1 cooperation discount.

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