One-Book Rule Law and Legal Definition
One book rule refers to a requirement or practice that only one version of the sentencing guidelines should be used to calculate all aspects of a defendant's sentence. The rule is codified at 18 USCS Appx § 1B1.11 which reads as follows:
Use of Guidelines Manual in Effect on Date of Sentencing (Policy Statement)
(a) The court shall use the Guidelines Manual in effect on the date that the defendant is sentenced.
(b) (1) If the court determines that use of the Guidelines Manual in effect on the date that the defendant is sentenced would violate the ex post facto clause of the United States Constitution, the court shall use the Guidelines Manual in effect on the date that the offense of conviction was committed.
(2) The Guidelines Manual in effect on a particular date shall be applied in its entirety. The court shall not apply, for example, one guideline section from one edition of the Guidelines Manual and another guideline section from a different edition of the Guidelines Manual. However, if a court applies an earlier edition of the Guidelines Manual, the court shall consider subsequent amendments, to the extent that such amendments are clarifying rather than substantive changes.
(3) If the defendant is convicted of two offenses, the first committed before, and the second after, a revised edition of the Guidelines Manual became effective, the revised edition of the Guidelines Manual is to be applied to both offenses.
