Judge Rya W. Zobel — Federal Sentencing Patterns

U.S. District Judge Rya W. Zobel sits in the District of Massachusetts (DMA) and granted a downward variance in 142 of 190 federal sentencings (74.7%) from FY2012–FY2023. This page shows aggregate sentencing patterns for Judge Rya W. Zobel, including the most common reasons cited on the Statement of Reasons (SOR) for granting a downward variance.

Top reasons Judge Rya W. Zobel grants downward variances

Reasons included across all guideline chapters (142 below-guideline cases out of 190 cases identified)

ReasonCasesAvg % Below Min
  1. 1.Acceptance of responsibility41-52.0%
  2. 2.Criminal History Issues (aggregated reason)31-64.1%
  3. 3.Remorse30-60.8%
  4. 4.(5H1.6) Family ties and responsibilities30-56.2%
  5. 5.(5H1.4) Drug dependence and alcohol abuse24-48.5%
  6. 6.(5H1.1) Age (Defendant's youth or old age)23-58.2%
  7. 7.Nonviolent Offense22-58.5%
  8. 8.Mental and Emotional Conditions (aggregated reason)22-54.1%
  9. 9.Lack of Youthful Guidance19-47.4%
  10. 10.(5H1.4) Physical condition16-75.1%

Zone D sentencing variance — Judge Rya W. Zobel

Imprisonment-only recommended sentencing zone (offense level 14+ at any criminal history). Of Judge Rya W. Zobel's 156 Zone D sentencings, 123 (78.8%) fell below range.

Zone D · imprisonment recommended156 cases
  • Within range
    30(19.2%)
  • Below range
    123(78.8%)
    avg −52.2% below min
  • Above range
    3(1.9%)
    avg +11.9% above max

Need case-level analysis for Judge Rya W. Zobel?

Want to see what those 142 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 Rya W. Zobel's trial tax (sentences after trial vs. plea) and the average §5K1.1 cooperation discount.

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