University of Minnesota Research Team

The University of Minnesota (UMN) supported the Sentencing Guidelines Commission's comprehensive review by providing augmented research capabilities from the UMN Research Team.

Research Activities:

The UMN team undertook specific qualitative and quantitative research tasks to assist MSGC in comprehending the current impacts and potential modifications to the guidelines and performed comparative legal and policy research that furnished insights into addressing current guideline related issues. The collaboration commenced in January 2024, continuing through the end of 2025. The UMN team provided research assistance, policy briefs, research-to-policy presentations, and comprehensive project reports.

Additional Research Support from the UMN Team:

1. Enhanced the MSGC's research capabilities, allowing a deeper dive into questions that will shape the recommendations.

2. Advanced statistical analysis, vital for teasing out the effects of multiple factors that can influence sentencing decisions and outcomes.

3. Accelerated the review's pace, ensuring the MSGC finalizes its recommendations within the current membership's tenure.

Research Topics:

While the specific research questions were determined by the commission during the review process, UMN research team examined the causes of racial/ethnic disparities in sentencing outcomes, the role of the criminal history score in sentencing outcomes – particularly changes in the score over time, and the causes of high departure rates for specific offenses.

Expected Outcomes:

1. Informed Policy Decisions: Empirical research and comprehensive data guide changes to the guidelines.

2. Enhanced Stakeholder Engagement: A transparent research process increases trust and engagement from stakeholders, confirming that recommendations are evidence-based.

3. Strengthened University-Commission Partnership, fostering continued collaboration.

4. Identify Future Data Needs: Identification of areas requiring enhanced data collection and suggestions for changes to administrative record-keeping and reporting.

5. Set National Precedence: MSGC sets a significant precedent for other states to undertake empirically based comprehensive reviews.

A special thanks to............

Project Leads:

Kevin Reitz, James Annenberg La Vea Land Grant Chair in Criminal Procedure Law, University of Minnesota Law School

Christopher Uggen, PhD, Regents Professor and Matindale Chair in Sociology, Law, and Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota

Key Staff:

Julia Laskorunsky, PhD, Senior Research Scholar, Comprehensive Review Research Manager and Co-Investigator.

Christine Boisjoli, M.A., Communications and Project Manager, providing smooth dissemination of research and effective collaboration between UMN and MSGC.

UMN Materials Provided to the Commission

2023

Resolution in Support of U of M's Research Support to Commission – Prof. Keving Reitz, Prof. Christopher Uggen, and Dr. Julia Laskorunsky, U of M

2024

Model Penal Code: Sentencing – Prof. Kevin Reitz, James Annenberg La Vea Land Grant Chair in Criminal Procedure Law, University of Minnesota; Reporter, Model Penal Code: Sentencin

University of Minnesota Research Team Introduction – Dr. Julia Laskorunsky, Research Director, Robina Institute of Criminal Law and Criminal Justice, University of Minnesota Law School

University of Minnesota Research Team Update – Dr. Julia Laskorunsky, Research Director, Robina Institute of Criminal Law and Criminal Justice, University of Minnesota Law School

University of Minnesota Research Team Update: Topics Being Pursued – Dr. Julia Laskorunsky, Research Director, Robina Institute of Criminal Law and Criminal Justice, University of Minnesota Law School

Sentencing Guidelines' Purposes and Principles in Other States – Prof. Kevin Reitz, James Annenberg La Vea Land Grant Chair in Criminal Procedure Law, University of Minnesota; Reporter, Model Penal Code: Sentencing

Overview of Prominent Criminal History Issues and Solutions – Prof. Richard S. Frase, Benjamin N. Berger, Professor of Criminal Law Emeritus, University of Minnesota

Overview of Prominent Criminal History Issues and Solutions – Prof. Richard S. Frase, Benjamin N. Berger, Professor of Criminal Law Emeritus, University of Minnesota

University of Minnesota Research Team Presentation – Dr. Julia Laskorunsky, Research Director, Robina Institute of Criminal Law and Criminal Justice, University of Minnesota Law School

University of Minnesota Research Team Update – Prof. Christopher Uggen, University of Minnesota

2025

Guidelines' Purpose and Principles [A] [B] – Prof. Kevin Reitz, James Annenberg La Vea Land Grant Chair in Criminal Procedure Law, University of Minnesota, Model Penal Code: Sentencing

Comprehensive Review Practitioner Interviews – Dr. Julia Laskorunsky from the University of Minnesota

Proposals on Sentencing Purposes [1] [2] Prof. Kevin Reitz, James Annenberg, La Vea Land Grant Chair in Criminal Procedure Law, University of Minnesota, Model Penal Code: Sentencing