Judge Robert Stewart Ballou — Federal Sentencing Patterns

U.S. District Judge Robert Stewart Ballou sits in the Western District of Virginia (WDVA) and granted a downward variance in 24 of 38 federal sentencings (63.2%) from FY2023–FY2025. This page shows aggregate sentencing patterns for Judge Robert Stewart Ballou, including the most common reasons cited on the Statement of Reasons (SOR) for granting a downward variance.

Top reasons Judge Robert Stewart Ballou grants downward variances

Reasons included across all guideline chapters (24 below-guideline cases out of 38 cases identified)

ReasonCasesAvg % Below Min
  1. 1.Mental and Emotional Conditions (aggregated reason)10-54.2%
  2. 2.Acceptance of responsibility10-45.1%
  3. 3.(5H1.4) Drug dependence and alcohol abuse10-27.8%
  4. 4.Reduce Disparity (aggregated reason)8-32.7%
  5. 5.Criminal History Issues (aggregated reason)7-63.7%
  6. 6.Early Plea6-46.7%
  7. 7.Remorse6-38.8%
  8. 8.(5H1.1) Age (Defendant's youth or old age)5-74.0%
  9. 9.Lack of Youthful Guidance5-28.8%
  10. 10.Conduct on Release/Bond/Supervision4-70.3%

Zone D sentencing variance — Judge Robert Stewart Ballou

Imprisonment-only recommended sentencing zone (offense level 14+ at any criminal history). Of Judge Robert Stewart Ballou's 31 Zone D sentencings, 20 (64.5%) fell below range.

Zone D · imprisonment recommended31 cases
  • Within range
    8(25.8%)
  • Below range
    20(64.5%)
    avg −33.9% below min
  • Above range
    3(9.7%)
    avg +23.8% above max

Need case-level analysis for Judge Robert Stewart Ballou?

Want to see what those 24 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 Stewart Ballou's trial tax (sentences after trial vs. plea) and the average §5K1.1 cooperation discount.

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