# U.S.S.G. § 1B1.4: Information to be Used in Imposing Sentence

> Federal · Guidelines · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USSG_S1B1.4

## Section

- **Citation:** U.S.S.G. § 1B1.4
- **Heading:** Information to be Used in Imposing Sentence
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Guidelines
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** U.S. Sentencing Guidelines / Information to be Used in Imposing Sentence

## Text

In determining the sentence to impose, the court may consider, without limitation, any information concerning the background, character and conduct of the defendant, unless otherwise prohibited by law. See 18 U.S.C. § 3661. Commentary Background: This section distinguishes between factors that determine the applicable guideline sentencing range (§1B1.3) and information that a court may consider in imposing a sentence. The section is based on 18 U.S.C. § 3661, which recodifies 18 U.S.C. § 3577. The recodification of this 1970 statute in 1984 with an effective date of 1987 (99 Stat. 1728), makes it clear that Congress intended that no limitation would be placed on the information that a court may consider in imposing an appropriate sentence under the future guideline sentencing system. A court is not precluded from considering information that the guidelines do not take into account. For example, if the defendant committed two robberies, but as part of a plea negotiation entered a guilty plea to only one, the robbery that was not taken into account by the guidelines may provide a reason for sentencing at the top of, or above, the guideline range. Historical Note Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective January 15, 1988 (amendment 4); November 1, 1989 (amendment 303); November 1, 2000 (amendment 604); November 1, 2004 (amendment 674); November 1, 2023 (amendment 824); November 1, 2025 (amendment 836).

## Nearby sections

- [U.S.S.G. § 1A1.1 Commission’s Authority](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USSG_S1A1.1.md)
- [U.S.S.G. § 1B1.1 Application Instructions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USSG_S1B1.1.md)
- [U.S.S.G. § 1B1.2 Applicable Guidelines](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USSG_S1B1.2.md)
- [U.S.S.G. § 1B1.3 Relevant Conduct (Factors that Determine the Guideline Range)](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USSG_S1B1.3.md)
- [U.S.S.G. § 1B1.4 Information to be Used in Imposing Sentence](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USSG_S1B1.4.md)
- [U.S.S.G. § 1B1.5 Interpretation of References to Other Offense Guidelines](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USSG_S1B1.5.md)
- [U.S.S.G. § 1B1.6 Structure of the Guidelines](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USSG_S1B1.6.md)
- [U.S.S.G. § 1B1.7 Significance of Commentary](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USSG_S1B1.7.md)
- [U.S.S.G. § 1B1.8 Use of Certain Information](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USSG_S1B1.8.md)
- [U.S.S.G. § 1B1.9 Class B or C Misdemeanors and Infractions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USSG_S1B1.9.md)
- [U.S.S.G. § 1B1.10 Reduction in Term of Imprisonment as a Result of Amended Guideline Range](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USSG_S1B1.10.md)
- [U.S.S.G. § 1B1.11 Use of Guidelines Manual in Effect on Date of Sentencing (Policy Statement)](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USSG_S1B1.11.md)
- [U.S.S.G. § 1B1.12 Persons Sentenced Under the Federal Juvenile Delinquency Act (Policy Statement)](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USSG_S1B1.12.md)
- [U.S.S.G. § 1B1.13 Reduction in Term of Imprisonment Under 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A) (Policy Statement)](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USSG_S1B1.13.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USSG_S1B1.4. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.