As an investigator with the Federal Public Defender’s Office, you are assisting Assistant Federal Defender Lilly Jones with gathering background information on offender Ben Smith, who pled guilty to distribution of a controlled substance (5 kilograms of cocaine). Mr. Smith is being sentenced next month.

In a 2–3-page paper, provide an overview of the following:

• Why were the federal sentencing guidelines developed, and what is their purpose?
• Who created the Federal Sentencing Guidelines?
• What factors will a court take into consideration when sentencing Mr. Smith?
• In your opinion, do the federal sentencing guidelines allow judges enough discretion when imposing a sentence in this type of case?
• Should judges have more or less discretion when it comes to sentencing?
• What are the 3 most important things that Ms. Jones should tell the judge at sentencing about Mr. Smith to aid in sentencing?