Judge Susan P. Watters — Federal Sentencing Patterns

U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters sits in the District of Montana (DMT) and granted a downward variance in 242 of 639 federal sentencings (37.9%) from FY2012–FY2025. This page shows aggregate sentencing patterns for Judge Susan P. Watters, including the most common reasons cited on the Statement of Reasons (SOR) for granting a downward variance.

Top reasons Judge Susan P. Watters grants downward variances

Reasons included across all guideline chapters (242 below-guideline cases out of 639 cases identified)

ReasonCasesAvg % Below Min
  1. 1.(5H1.4) Drug dependence and alcohol abuse120-44.2%
  2. 2.Criminal History Issues (aggregated reason)70-59.3%
  3. 3.(5H1.6) Family ties and responsibilities66-66.7%
  4. 4.(5H1.5) Previous employment record64-63.2%
  5. 5.(5H1.1) Age (Defendant's youth or old age)56-48.9%
  6. 6.Mental and Emotional Conditions (aggregated reason)43-45.9%
  7. 7.Lack of Youthful Guidance33-33.7%
  8. 8.Nonviolent Offense31-57.0%
  9. 9.(5K2.20) Aberrant Behavior30-78.5%
  10. 10.Rehabilitation29-68.9%

Zone D sentencing variance — Judge Susan P. Watters

Imprisonment-only recommended sentencing zone (offense level 14+ at any criminal history). Of Judge Susan P. Watters's 546 Zone D sentencings, 210 (38.5%) fell below range.

Zone D · imprisonment recommended546 cases
  • Within range
    309(56.6%)
  • Below range
    210(38.5%)
    avg −42.9% below min
  • Above range
    27(4.9%)
    avg +79.4% above max

Need case-level analysis for Judge Susan P. Watters?

Want to see what those 242 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 Susan P. Watters's trial tax (sentences after trial vs. plea) and the average §5K1.1 cooperation discount.

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