Advisory Groups

Advisory Groups

Practitioners Advisory Group

The Practitioners Advisory Group (PAG) is a standing advisory group to the United States Sentencing Commission (Commission) under 28 U.S.C. § 995 and Rule 5.4 of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure.

The purpose of the PAG is to (1) assist the Commission in carrying out its statutory responsibilities under 28 U.S.C. § 994(o); (2) provide to the Commission its views on the Commission’s activities and work, including proposed priorities and amendments; (3) disseminate to defense attorneys, and to other professionals in the defense community, information regarding federal sentencing issues; and (4) perform other related functions as the Commission requests.

Probation Officers Advisory Group

The U.S. Probation Officer Advisory Group (POAG) is established by the United States Sentencing Commission (Commission) to assist the Commission in carrying out its statutory responsibilities under the Sentencing Reform Act, 28 U.S.C. § 994(o), and to represent U.S. Probation Officers (USPOs) in the area of sentencing.

POAG reports its observations on the operation of the sentencing guidelines, any proposed amendments, and other sentencing issues as well as provides feedback and disseminates information regarding sentencing issues to United States probation officers.

Victims Advisory Group

The Victims Advisory Group (VAG) is established by the United States Sentencing Commission (Commission) as a standing advisory group to the Commission pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 995 and Rule 5.4 of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure.

The purpose of the VAG is to (1) assist the Commission in carrying out its statutory responsibilities under 28 U.S.C. § 994(o); (2) provide to the Commission its views on the Commission’s activities and work, including proposed priorities and amendments, as they relate to victims of crime; (3) disseminate information regarding sentencing issues to organizations represented on the VAG and to other victims of crime and victims advocacy groups, as appropriate; and (4) perform any other functions related to victims of crime as the Commission requests.