Reports
Welcome to the Research and Data section of the MSGC website. Here, you'll find comprehensive information and resources related to felony sentencing practices in Minnesota. The MSGC maintains a detailed data library, publishes reports on sentencing trends and related criminal justice issues, and utilizes research findings to inform the ongoing development and review of the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines. Our aim is to promote transparency, facilitate understanding, and support evidence-based policy decisions within the criminal justice system.
Minnesota was the first state to implement a sentencing guidelines structure, a landmark achievement that took effect in 1980. MSGC continues to uphold its mandate to develop and maintain these guidelines. This ensures that felony sentencing is rational, consistent, and promotes public safety while reducing disparities. The Research and Data section is a vital component of the MSGC's work, providing access to the data, analyses, and reports that underpin the guidelines' ongoing review and modification. Explore this page to learn more about the research that drives Minnesota's commitment to fair and effective sentencing practices.
MSGC monitoring data are person-based, meaning cases represent persons rather than individual charges. Persons sentenced within the same county in a one-month period are generally counted only once, based on their most serious offense.
Adobe® Acrobat® Reader is needed to view these reports. If you need any of these reports in alternate format, they can be obtained by contacting the Sentencing Guidelines Commission.