---
title: "List the federal sentencing factors the memorandum must address"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/practice/criminal-law/list-the-statutory-matters-to-be-taken-into-account-on-sentence-for-a-fe/united-states"
type: "task_jurisdiction_version"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "A20-SB20261022-4-US"
practice_area: "Criminal Law"
tier: "yellow"
lawyer_review: "required"
jurisdictions: ["US"]
last_reviewed: "2026-10-22"
---

# List the federal sentencing factors the memorandum must address

> List the factor headings in § 3553(a)(1) through (a)(4) as headings only. Do not recommend a sentence and do not state a guidelines number.

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/practice/criminal-law/list-the-statutory-matters-to-be-taken-into-account-on-sentence-for-a-fe/united-states  
Last reviewed: 2026-10-22

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Practice area | [Criminal Law](https://ailawframework.com/practice/criminal-law.md) |
| Human involvement | Yellow: Lawyer and AI draft together |
| How AI is used | List the factor headings in § 3553(a)(1) through (a)(4) as headings only. Do not recommend a sentence and do not state a guidelines number. |
| What the lawyer must review | You write the memorandum and you recommend the sentence. Section 3553(a) says the court shall impose a sentence sufficient, but not greater than necessary, to comply with the purposes in paragraph (2). The court considers the nature and circumstances of the offense and the history and characteristics of the defendant; the need for the sentence to reflect seriousness, promote respect, and provide just punishment, to afford adequate deterrence, to protect the public, and to provide needed educational or vocational training, medical care, or other correctional treatment; the kinds of sentences available; and the kinds of sentence and the sentencing range established for the applicable category in the guidelines issued under 28 U.S.C. § 994(a)(1), subject to amendments. The Guidelines Manual was not opened. No range, no offense level, and no percentage is stated. Model Rule 3.3(a)(1) forbids a knowing false statement of law about those factors. This list is the headings. It is not the argument. |
| Written for | United States |
| Applies to | [List the statutory matters to be taken into account on sentence for a federal offence](https://ailawframework.com/practice/criminal-law/list-the-statutory-matters-to-be-taken-into-account-on-sentence-for-a-fe.md) |

## Checking plan

- What the AI does: List the factor headings in § 3553(a)(1) through (a)(4) as headings only. Do not recommend a sentence and do not state a guidelines number.
- Basis: Checked against the linked sources on 22 October 2026. Confirm the current instrument before reliance.

## Notes

- Do not state a months figure. The manual was not opened.
- Paragraph (a)(2) is four needs. Do not collapse them into one.

## Sources

- [18 U.S.C. § 3553 (imposition of a sentence)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/3553) (checked 2026-10-22)
- [ABA Model Rule 3.3, Candor toward the Tribunal](https://www.americanbar.org/groups/professional_responsibility/publications/model_rules_of_professional_conduct/rule_3_3_candor_toward_the_tribunal/) (checked 2026-10-22)
- [ABA Formal Opinion 512, Generative Artificial Intelligence Tools (29 July 2024)](https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/professional_responsibility/ethics-opinions/aba-formal-opinion-512.pdf) (checked 2026-10-22)

*Practice guidance for planning and review. Confirm current primary sources and the requirements of the actual matter. This is general information, not legal advice.*