Federal Sentencing Data Expert

Jordan is available at a rate of $125.00 per hour. A typical case requires three to seven hours, including time preparing a detailed memorandum and a supporting declaration suitable for inclusion in court filings.

While no case is ever alike, Jordan can identify similar cases using a range of methods including combing through datafiles published by the U.S. Sentencing Commission paired with expert PACER/ECF research. Because of Jordan’s deep familiarity with both Sentencing Commission datafiles and PACER, Jordan provides systematic analyses made for attorneys to understand the relevant data in each case, and can find helpful cases on PACER that typical databases miss.

In previous cases, appointed attorneys have been able to pay Jordan at this rate using the paralegal funds designated to each case through the district’s CJA program, or through special authorization to employ a statistician.

Jordan will correct any mistakes free of charge.

Jordan approaches each case systematically while recognizing that no case is ever the same. Jordan “peels the onion” by preparing profiles of matching characteristics, starting broad and narrowing in. This approach allows attorneys to identify the most helpful information for client-centered advocacy, while Jordan remains focused on providing accurate and reliable data about people in similar situations.

When considering a case, Jordan looks at:

• Practically every single rule in the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, including:

  • • Offense types under Chapter 2

    • Special offense characteristics under Chapter 2

    • Adjustments for e.g., acceptance of responsibility, mitigating role, abuse of position, and substantial assistance

    • Criminal history calculations

    • Other information included in the Statement of Reasons prepared by the sentencing judge

• Specific statutes

• Mandatory minimums

• Exact loss and drug amounts (or ranges around these amounts)

• Demographic characteristics such as race, gender, and education level

• Whether the case was resolved by a plea agreement or a trial verdict