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vels for each of the
underlying offenses (with each underlying offense treated as if contained in a separate count of
conviction). Then apply subsection (b) to the alternative base offense level, or to the Chapter
Two offense levels for each of the underlying offenses, as appropriate.
2. "Participant" is defined in the Commentary to §3B1.1 (Aggravating Role).
3. The burning or defacement of a religious symbol with an intent to intimidate shall be deemed
to involve the threat of force against a person for the purposes of subsection (a)(3)(A).
4. If the finder of fact at trial or, in the case of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, the court at
sentencing determines beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant intentionally selected any
victim or any property as the object of the offense because of the actual or perceived race, color,
religion, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability, or sexual orientation of any person, an
additional 3-level enhancement from §3A1.1(a) will apply. An adjustment from §3A1.1(a) will
not apply, however, if a 6-level adjustment from §2H1.1(b) applies. See §3A1.1(c).
5. If subsection (b)(1) applies, do not apply §3B1.3 (Abuse of Position of Trust or Use of Special
Skill).
Historical Note: Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective November 1, 1989 (see Appendix C, amendment 303); November 1, 1990
(see Appendix C, amendments 313 and 327); November 1, 1991 (see Appendix C, amendment 430); November 1, 1995 (see Appendix C,
amendment 521); November 1, 2000 (see Appendix C, amendment 591).
§2H1.2. [Deleted]
Historical Note: Section 2H1.2 (Conspiracy to Interfere with Civil Rights), effective November 1, 1987, amended effective November 1,
1989 (see Appendix C, amendment 303), was deleted by consolidation with §2H1.1 effective November 1, 1990 (see Appendix C,
amendment 327).
§2H1.3. [Deleted]
Historical Note: Section 2H1.3 (Use of Force or Threat of Force to Deny Benefits or Rights in Furtherance of Discrimination; Damage to
Religious Real Property), effective November 1, 1987, amended effective November 1, 1989 (see Appendix C, amendment 165), was deleted
by consolidation with §2H1.1 effective November 1, 1995 (see Appendix C, amendment 521).
§2H1.4. [Deleted]
Historical Note: Section 2H1.4 (Interference with Civil Rights Under Color of Law), effective November 1, 1987, amended effective
November 1, 1989 (see Appendix C, amendment 166), was deleted by consolidation with §2H1.1 effective November 1, 1995 (see
Appendix C, amendment 521).
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§2H1.5. [Deleted]
Historical Note: Section 2H1.5 (Other Deprivations of Rights or Benefits in Furtherance of Discrimination), effective November 1, 1987,
amended effective November 1, 1989 (see Appendix C, amendment 167) and November 1, 1990 (see Appendix C, amendment 328), was
deleted by consolidation with §2H1.1 effective November 1, 1995 (see Appendix C, amendment 521).
* * * * *
2. POLITICAL RIGHTS
§2H2.1. Obstructing an Election or Registration
(a) Base Offense Level (Apply the greatest):
(1) 18, if the obstruction occurred by use of force or threat of force against
person(s) or property; or
(2) 12, if the obstruction occurred by forgery, fraud, theft, bribery, deceit, or
other means, except as provided in (3) below; or
(3) 6, if the defendant (A) solicited, demanded, accepted, or agreed to accept
anything of value to vote, refrain from voting, vote for or against a
particular candidate, or register to vote, (B) gave false information to
establish eligibility to vote, or (C) voted more than once in a federal
election.
Commentary
Statutory Provisions: 18 U.S.C. §§ 241, 242, 245(b)(1)(A), 592, 593, 594, 597, 1015(f); 42 U.S.C.
§§ 1973i, 1973j(a), (b). For additional statutory provision(s), see Appendix A (Statutory Index).
Application Note:
1. If the offense resulted in bodily injury or significant property damage, or involved corrupting
a public official, an upward departure may be warranted. See Chapter Five, Part K
(Departures).
Background: Alternative base offense levels cover three major ways of obstructing an election: by
force, by deceptive or dishonest conduct, or by bribery. A defendant who is a public official or who
directs others to engage in criminal conduct is subject to an enhancement from Chapter Three, Part
B (Role in the Offense).
Historical Note: Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective November 1, 1989 (see Appendix C, amendment 168); November 1, 1995
(see Appendix C, amendment 534); November 1, 2003 (see Appendix C, amendment 661).
* * * * *
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3. PRIVACY AND EAVESDROPPING
§2H3.1. Interception of Communications; Eavesdropping; Disclosure of Tax Return
Information
(a) Base Offense Level (Apply the greater):
(1) 9; or
(2) 6, if the defendant was convicted of 26 U.S.C. § 7213A or 26 U.S.C.
§ 7216.
(b) Specific Offense Characteristic
(1) If the purpose of the offense was to obtain direct or indirect commercial
advantage or economic gain, increase by 3 levels.
(c) Cross Reference
(1) If the purpose of the offense was to facilitate another offense, apply the
guideline applicable to an attempt to commit that other offense, if the
resulting offense level is greater than that determined above.
Commentary
Statutory Provisions: 18 U.S.C. § 2511; 26 U.S.C. §§ 7213(a)(1)-(3), (a)(5), (d), 7213A, 7216; 47
U.S.C. § 605. For additional statutory provision(s), see Appendix A (Statutory Index).
Application Notes:
1. Definitions.—For purposes of this guideline, "tax return" and "tax return information" have the
meaning given the terms "return" and "return information" in 26 U.S.C. § 6103(b)(1) and (2),
respectively.
2. Satellite Cable Transmissions.—If the offense involved interception of satellite cable
transmissions for purposes of commercial advantage or private financial gain (including
avoiding payment of fees), apply §2B5.3 (Criminal Infringement of Copyright) rather than this
guideline.
Background: This section refers to conduct proscribed by 47 U.S.C. § 605 and the Electronic
Communications Privacy Act of 1986, which amends 18 U.S.C. § 2511 and other sections of Title 18
dealing with unlawful interception and disclosure of communications. These statutes proscribe the
interception and divulging of wire, oral, radio, and electronic communications. The Electronic
Communications Privacy Act of 1986 provides for a maximum term of imprisonment of five years for
violations involving most types of communication.
This section also refers to conduct relating to the disclosure and inspection of tax returns and
tax return information, which is proscribed by 26 U.S.C. §§ 7213(a)(1)-(3), (5), (d), 7213A, and 7216.
§2H3.1 GUIDELINES MANUAL November 1, 2005
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These statutes provide for a maximum term of imprisonment of five years for most types of disclosure
of tax return information, but provide a maximum term of imprisonment of one year for violations of
26 U.S.C. §§ 7213A and 7216.
Historical Note: Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective November 1, 1989 (see Appendix C, amendment 169); November 1, 2001
(see Appendix C, amendment 628).
§2H3.2. Manufacturing, Distributing, Advertising, or Possessing an Eavesdropping Device
(a) Base Offense Level: 6
(b) Specific Offense Characteristic
(1) If the offense was committed for pecuniary gain, increase by 3 levels.
Commentary
Statutory Provision: 18 U.S.C. § 2512.
Historical Note: Effective November 1, 1987.
§2H3.3. Obstructing Correspondence
(a) Base Offense Level:
(1) 6; or
(2) if the conduct was theft or destruction of mail, apply §2B1.1 (Theft,
Property Destruction, and Fraud).
Commentary
Statutory Provision: 18 U.S.C. § 1702. For additional statutory provision(s), see Appendix A
(Statutory Index).
Background: The statutory provision covered by this guideline is sometimes used to prosecute
offenses more accurately described as theft or destruction of mail. In such cases, §2B1.1 (Theft,
Property Destruction, and Fraud) is to be applied.
Historical Note: Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective November 1, 1990 (see Appendix C, amendment 313); November 1, 2001
(see Appendix C, amendment 617).
November 1, 2005 GUIDELINES MANUAL §2H4.1
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* * * * *
4. PEONAGE, INVOLUNTARY SERVITUDE, AND SLAVE TRADE
§2H4.1. Peonage, Involuntary Servitude, and Slave Trade
(a) Base Offense Level (Apply the greater):
(1) 22; or
(2) 18, if the defendant was convicted of an offense under 18 U.S.C. § 1592.
(b) Specific Offense Characteristics
(1) (A) If any victim sustained permanent or life-threatening bodily injury,
increase by 4 levels; or (B) if any victim sustained serious bodily injury,
increase by 2 levels.
(2) If (A) a dangerous weapon was used, increase by 4 levels; or (B) a
dangerous weapon was brandished, or the use of a dangerous weapon was
threatened, increase by 2 levels.
(3) If any victim was held in a condition of peonage or involuntary servitude
for (A) more than one year, increase by 3 levels; (B) between 180 days
and one year, increase by 2 levels; or (C) more than 30 days but less than
180 days, increase by 1 level.
(4) If any other felony offense was committed during the commission of, or
in connection with, the peonage or involuntary servitude offense, increase
to the greater of:
(A) 2 plus the offense level as determined above, or
(B) 2 plus the offense level from the offense guideline applicable to
that other offense, but in no event greater than level 43.
Commentary
Statutory Provisions: 18 U.S.C. §§ 241, 1581-1590, 1592.
Application Notes:
1. For purposes of this guideline—
"A dangerous weapon was used" means that a firearm was discharged, or that a firearm or
other dangerous weapon was otherwise used. "The use of a dangerous weapon was threatened"
means that the use of a dangerous weapon was threatened regardless of whether a dangerous
weapon was present.
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Definitions of "firearm," "dangerous weapon," "otherwise used," "serious bodily injury," and
"permanent or life-threatening bodily injury" are found in the Commentary to §1B1.1
(Application Instructions).
2. Under subsection (b)(4), "any other felony offense" means any conduct that constitutes a felony
offense under federal, state, or local law (other than an offense that is itself covered by this
subpart). When there is more than one such other offense, the most serious such offense (or
group of closely related offenses in the case of offenses that would be grouped together under
§3D1.2(d)) is to be used. See Application Note 3 of §1B1.5 (Interpretation of References to
other Offense Guidelines).
3. If the offense involved the holding of more than ten victims in a condition of peonage or
involuntary servitude, an upward departure may be warranted.
Historical Note: Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective November 1, 1995 (see Appendix C, amendment 521); May 1, 1997 (see
Appendix C, amendment 542); November 1, 1997 (see Appendix C, amendment 559); May 1, 2001 (see Appendix C, amendment 612);
November 1, 2001 (see Appendix C, amendment 627).
§2H4.2. Willful Violations of the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act
(a) Base Offense Level: 6
(b) Specific Offense Characteristics
(1) If the offense involved (i) serious bodily injury, increase by 4 levels; or (ii)
bodily injury, increase by 2 levels.
(2) If the defendant committed any part of the instant offense subsequent to
sustaining a civil or administrative adjudication for similar misconduct,
increase by 2 levels.
Commentary
Statutory Provision: 29 U.S.C. § 1851.
Application Notes:
1. Definitions.—For purposes of subsection (b)(1), "bodily injury" and "serious bodily injury" have
the meaning given those terms in Application Note 1 of the Commentary to §1B1.1 (Application
Instructions).
2. Application of Subsection (b)(2).—Section 1851 of title 29, United States Code, covers a wide
range of conduct. Accordingly, the enhancement in subsection (b)(2) applies only if the instant
offense is similar to previous misconduct that resulted in a civil or administrative adjudication
under the provisions of the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (29
U.S.C. § 1801 et. seq.).
Historical Note: Effective May 1, 2001 (see Appendix C, amendment 612). Amended effective November 1, 2001 (see Appendix C,
amendment 627).
November 1, 2005 GUIDELINES MANUAL §2H4.2
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§2J1.1 GUIDELINES MANUAL November 1, 2005
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PART J - OFFENSES INVOLVING THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE
§2J1.1. Contempt
Apply §2X5.1 (Other Offenses).
Commentary
Statutory Provisions: 18 U.S.C. §§ 401, 228. For additional statutory provision(s), see Appendix A
(Statutory Index).
Application Notes:
1. In General.—Because misconduct constituting contempt varies significantly and the nature of
the contemptuous conduct, the circumstances under which the contempt was committed, the
effect the misconduct had on the administration of justice, and the need to vindicate the
authority of the court are highly context-dependent, the Commission has not provided a specific
guideline for this offense. In certain cases, the offense conduct will be sufficiently analogous
to §2J1.2 (Obstruction of Justice) for that guideline to apply.
2. Willful Failure to Pay Court-Ordered Child Support.—For offenses involving the willful failure
to pay court-ordered child support (violations of 18 U.S.C. § 228), the most analogous guideline
is §2B1.1 (Theft, Property Destruction, and Fraud). The amount of the loss is the amount of
child support that the defendant willfully failed to pay. Note: This guideline applies to second
and subsequent offenses under 18 U.S.C. § 228(a)(1) and to any offense under 18 U.S.C. §
228(a)(2) and (3). A first offense under 18 U.S.C. § 228(a)(1) is not covered by this guideline
because it is a Class B misdemeanor.
3. Violation of Judicial Order Enjoining Fraudulent Behavior.—In a case involving a violation of
a judicial order enjoining fraudulent behavior, the most analogous guideline is §2B1.1. In such
a case, §2B1.1(b)(7)(C) (pertaining to a violation of a prior, specific judicial order) ordinarily
would apply.
Historical Note: Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective November 1, 1989 (see Appendix C, amendments 170 and 171);
November 1, 1993 (see Appendix C, amendment 496); November 1, 1998 (see Appendix C, amendment 588); November 1, 2001 (see
Appendix C, amendment 617); November 1, 2003 (see Appendix C, amendment 653).
§2J1.2. Obstruction of Justice
(a) Base Offense Level: 14
(b) Specific Offense Characteristics
(1) (Apply the greater):
(A) If the offense involved causing or threatening to cause physical
November 1, 2005 GUIDELINES MANUAL §2J1.3
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injury to a person, or property damage, in order to obstruct the
administration of justice, increase by 8 levels.
(B) If (i) defendant was convicted under 18 U.S.C. § 1001 or § 1505;
and (ii) the statutory maximum term of imprisonment relating to
international terrorism or domestic terrorism is applicable,
increase by 12 levels.
(2) If the offense resulted in substantial interference with the administration
of justice, increase by 3 levels.
(3) If the offense (A) involved the destruction, alteration, or fabrication of a
substantial number of records, documents, or tangible objects; (B)
involved the selection of any essential or especially probative record,
document, or tangible object, to destroy or alter; or (C) was otherwise
extensive in scope, planning, or preparation, increase by 2 levels.
(c) Cross Reference
(1) If the offense involved obstructing the investigation or prosecution of a
criminal offense, apply §2X3.1 (Accessory After the Fact) in respect to
that criminal offense, if the resulting offense level is greater than that
determined above.
Commentary
Statutory Provisions: 18 U.S.C. §§ 1001 when the statutory maximum term of imprisonment relating
to international terrorism or domestic terrorism is applicable, 1503, 1505-1513, 1516, 1519. For
additional statutory provision(s), see Appendix A (Statutory Index).
Application Notes:
1. Definitions.—For purposes of this guideline:
"Domestic terrorism" has the meaning given that term in 18 U.S.C. § 2331(5).
"International terrorism" has the meaning given that term in 18 U.S.C. § 2331(1).
"Records, documents, or tangible objects" includes (A) records, documents, or tangible objects
that are stored on, or that are, magnetic, optical, digital, other electronic, or other storage
mediums or devices; and (B) wire or electronic communications.
"Substantial interference with the administration of justice" includes a premature or improper
termination of a felony investigation; an indictment, verdict, or any judicial determination based
upon perjury, false testimony, or other false evidence; or the unnecessary expenditure of
substantial governmental or court resources.
2. Chapter Three Adjustments.—
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(A) Inapplicability of Chapter Three, Part C.—For offenses covered under this section,
Chapter Three, Part C (Obstruction) does not apply, unless the defendant obstructed the
investigation, pr
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