Obscene Phone Services and Broadcasts Sentence Calculator

Starting level and typical ranges

These ranges use the starting level alone, before any of the facts listed below, for someone with no criminal record unless the column says otherwise. Most real cases add levels.

Starting point	Level	Trial	Guilty plea	Plea + zero-point	Category IV, plea
Commercial obscene phone service or obscene broadcast, the starting point	12	10–16 months	6–12 months	0–6 months	15–21 months

What changes the sentence

Each of these facts moves the offense level under §2G3.2. Adjustments that apply to every offense, such as role in the offense, obstruction, a guilty plea and criminal history, come after these.

Fact	Effect	Rule
Did a person under 18 receive the phone communication, or was the broadcast made between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m.: Yes, a person under 18 received the phone communication	+4	§2G3.2(b)(1)
Did a person under 18 receive the phone communication, or was the broadcast made between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m.: Yes, the broadcast was made between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m.	+4	§2G3.2(b)(1)
What volume of commerce is attributable to the person: More than $95,000	at least level 14	§2G3.2(b)(2)
What volume of commerce is attributable to the person: More than $150,000	at least level 16	§2G3.2(b)(2)
What volume of commerce is attributable to the person: More than $250,000	at least level 18	§2G3.2(b)(2)
What volume of commerce is attributable to the person: More than $550,000	at least level 20	§2G3.2(b)(2)
What volume of commerce is attributable to the person: More than $1,500,000	at least level 22	§2G3.2(b)(2)
What volume of commerce is attributable to the person: More than $3,500,000	at least level 24	§2G3.2(b)(2)
What volume of commerce is attributable to the person: More than $9,500,000	at least level 26	§2G3.2(b)(2)
What volume of commerce is attributable to the person: More than $25,000,000	at least level 28	§2G3.2(b)(2)
What volume of commerce is attributable to the person: More than $65,000,000	at least level 30	§2G3.2(b)(2)
What volume of commerce is attributable to the person: More than $150,000,000	at least level 32	§2G3.2(b)(2)
What volume of commerce is attributable to the person: More than $250,000,000	at least level 34	§2G3.2(b)(2)
What volume of commerce is attributable to the person: More than $550,000,000	at least level 36	§2G3.2(b)(2)

Important details

The calculator does not apply mandatory minimum sentences set by statute for this offense. If the statute of conviction requires one and it is higher than the range shown, the minimum controls; check the statute or ask a lawyer.

Frequently asked questions

What is the base offense level for obscene phone services and broadcasts?

The guideline for obscene phone services and broadcasts is §2G3.2 of the federal Sentencing Guidelines. Its starting level is 12, before any adjustments.

What is the guideline range for obscene phone services and broadcasts with no criminal history points and a guilty plea?

Using the starting level alone, a person with no criminal history points who pleads guilty scores 0–6 months, including the 2-level zero-point reduction. The facts listed under “What changes the sentence” can add levels, and the judge can sentence outside the range.

Is probation possible for obscene phone services and broadcasts?

The guidelines allow it at the starting level: with a guilty plea and the zero-point reduction the range begins at 0 months (Zone A), so prison is not required, unless the offense is a Class A or B felony or the statute rules probation out (§5B1.1(b)). Added facts can raise the range out of Zone A.

Is the calculator accurate for obscene phone services and broadcasts?

It follows §2G3.2 of the Guidelines Manual effective November 1, 2025. It passed 5 review rounds, each comparing every number, rule and label with the manual text, and its last round found nothing to correct. Those reviews were done with AI tools, not by lawyers, and it has not yet been reviewed by an attorney, so mistakes are possible. The guidelines are advisory, and a lawyer who knows the case can tell you what actually applies.