[EEGator]

Why does it take four months to sentence someone?
Why is he getting more time than an actual rapist?
Or, does 10 years really mean 3 and out?

[Dilbert San Diego]

From what I hear, judges get new cases all the time, and this judge may find he’s back in court tomorrow presiding over a brand new case. Which will take up his time.

And sometimes judges need to spend time researching sentencing guidelines, and see what sentences have been in other similar cases.

Four months from now does seem long though, even allowing for items I just mentioned.

[colorado tanker]

Someone will do a presentencing report that will have a lot of information that probably didn't come out in the trial. Plus, the lawyers need to take a formal position on what the sentence should be and make legal arguments for that. So, it's a process.

According to this article, though, he goes into custody immediately.

[Lurking Libertarian]

Why does it take four months to sentence someone?

The Probation Department has to do a presentence investigation. Plus, there's no rush here-- he will be getting a long sentence, and whatever time he spends locked up before sentencing will be credited against the sentence.

Why is he getting more time than an actual rapist?

(a) I doubt an actual rapist would get less time, but (b) this was a federal trial and Congress imposed very tough sentences on kiddie porn.

Or, does 10 years really mean 3 and out?

Not in federal court. There is no parole in federal cases, so ten years means ten years, subject only to a maximum reduction of 15% for good behavior. So ten years means a minimum of eight and a half years, assuming a perfect disciplinary record in prison.