Judge Sheri Polster Chappell — Federal Sentencing Patterns

U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell sits in the Middle District of Florida (MDFL) and granted a downward variance in 85 of 278 federal sentencings (30.6%) from FY2013–FY2025. This page shows aggregate sentencing patterns for Judge Sheri Polster Chappell, including the most common reasons cited on the Statement of Reasons (SOR) for granting a downward variance.

Top reasons Judge Sheri Polster Chappell grants downward variances

Reasons included across all guideline chapters (85 below-guideline cases out of 278 cases identified)

ReasonCasesAvg % Below Min
  1. 1.Criminal History Issues (aggregated reason)34-41.0%
  2. 2.(5H1.6) Family ties and responsibilities23-30.8%
  3. 3.Remorse19-49.6%
  4. 4.(5H1.5) Previous employment record18-48.4%
  5. 5.(5H1.1) Age (Defendant's youth or old age)14-44.1%
  6. 6.Conduct on Release/Bond/Supervision10-63.3%
  7. 7.Acceptance of responsibility9-54.7%
  8. 8.Mental and Emotional Conditions (aggregated reason)9-42.9%
  9. 9.(5H1.4) Drug dependence and alcohol abuse9-29.2%
  10. 10.Reduce Disparity (aggregated reason)8-67.8%

Zone D sentencing variance — Judge Sheri Polster Chappell

Imprisonment-only recommended sentencing zone (offense level 14+ at any criminal history). Of Judge Sheri Polster Chappell's 177 Zone D sentencings, 54 (30.5%) fell below range.

Zone D · imprisonment recommended177 cases
  • Within range
    110(62.1%)
  • Below range
    54(30.5%)
    avg −30.0% below min
  • Above range
    13(7.3%)
    avg +52.0% above max

Need case-level analysis for Judge Sheri Polster Chappell?

Want to see what those 85 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 Sheri Polster Chappell's trial tax (sentences after trial vs. plea) and the average §5K1.1 cooperation discount.

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