SentenceCalc

Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering (VICAR) Sentence Calculator

This page covers cases where a person committed or threatened violence for a gang or criminal organization. Federal sentences for violent crimes in aid of racketeering (VICAR) are calculated under §2E1.3 of the Sentencing Guidelines. Answer the questions below to see the range for a specific case.

Verified Checked against the manual text in at least five AI-assisted review rounds. Not yet reviewed by an attorney. Guidelines Manual effective November 1, 2025Updated October 4, 2026

Calculate it

Change any answer and the sentence updates. Nothing you enter leaves this page.

 See the math

Starting level and typical ranges

The starting level for this offense depends on another offense: offense level of the underlying crime or racketeering activity. Work out the level for the underlying crime (for example murder, assault or kidnapping). For attempted murder use §2A2.1 and for conspiracy to murder use §2A1.5; those guidelines already account for the crime not being completed. The level here is never lower than 12. Use the calculator above and enter that level when asked.

Important details

  • The level is the greater of 12 or the level for the underlying crime or racketeering activity (§2E1.3(a)).
  • If the underlying crime was a state crime, the level for the most similar federal crime is used (§2E1.3, note 1).
  • The conduct ranges from threats to murder. The legal maximum ranges from three years to life depending on the crime (§2E1.3, background).
  • 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

Is the calculator accurate for violent crimes in aid of racketeering (VICAR)?

It follows §2E1.3 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.