Judge Robert J. Shelby — Federal Sentencing Patterns

U.S. District Judge Robert J. Shelby sits in the District of Utah (DUT) and granted a downward variance in 313 of 421 federal sentencings (74.3%) from FY2012–FY2025. This page shows aggregate sentencing patterns for Judge Robert J. Shelby, including the most common reasons cited on the Statement of Reasons (SOR) for granting a downward variance.

Top reasons Judge Robert J. Shelby grants downward variances

Reasons included across all guideline chapters (313 below-guideline cases out of 421 cases identified)

ReasonCasesAvg % Below Min
  1. 1.(5K3.1) Early Disposition. Fast Track program94-49.4%
  2. 2.Criminal History Issues (aggregated reason)63-45.7%
  3. 3.Pursuant to a NONbinding (or unknown type) plea agreement59-46.2%
  4. 4.Reduce Disparity (aggregated reason)37-42.7%
  5. 5.(5H1.6) Family ties and responsibilities35-55.9%
  6. 6.(5H1.1) Age (Defendant's youth or old age)34-51.2%
  7. 7.Acceptance of responsibility22-40.3%
  8. 8.(5K2.0) General aggravating or mitigating circumstance20-45.0%
  9. 9.Mule/Role in the offense17-58.9%
  10. 10.(5H1.4) Drug dependence and alcohol abuse17-42.5%

Zone D sentencing variance — Judge Robert J. Shelby

Imprisonment-only recommended sentencing zone (offense level 14+ at any criminal history). Of Judge Robert J. Shelby's 335 Zone D sentencings, 262 (78.2%) fell below range.

Zone D · imprisonment recommended335 cases
  • Within range
    60(17.9%)
  • Below range
    262(78.2%)
    avg −42.4% below min
  • Above range
    13(3.9%)
    avg +36.5% above max

Need case-level analysis for Judge Robert J. Shelby?

Want to see what those 313 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 J. Shelby's trial tax (sentences after trial vs. plea) and the average §5K1.1 cooperation discount.

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