Caption and motion
The district, the case number, United States of America v. the defendant, and boxes for a motion by the defendant or by the Director of the Bureau of Prisons.
AO 248
Order on Motion for Sentence Reduction Under 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A)
- Agency
- U.S. Courts
- Revision
- Rev. 08/20
- Fillable fields
- 32
- Pages
- 4
- Official source
- U.S. Courts form page
- Checked
- October 20, 2026
AO 248: Order on Motion for Sentence Reduction Under 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A)
AO 248, Order on Motion for Sentence Reduction Under 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A), is the order a United States District Court uses to rule on a motion for a reduction in sentence, which the form labels Compassionate Release. The U.S. Courts lists it under Criminal Forms, effective on September 9, 2020, and the edition printed on the form is Rev. 08/20.
The four-page order records who brought the motion, then one outcome: granted, with a reduced sentence or time served and release terms; deferred pending supplemental briefing or a hearing; denied after review on the merits; or denied without prejudice for lack of exhaustion. The form says the court considered the factors in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) and the applicable policy statements issued by the Sentencing Commission.
It is a court document signed by a United States District Judge. This page explains the form in plain words and is not legal advice. You can fill it out free in your browser on this page and download the result without an account.
What's on AO 248
Granted: the new sentence
The previous sentence of imprisonment reduced to a stated term, reduced to time served if that term is less than the time already served, or time served.
Granted: release timing
For time served, two choices that stay the order for up to fourteen days: one to verify a residence and set up a release plan, one when a verified residence and release plan are already in place.
Special term of supervision
A special term of probation or supervised release in months, not to exceed the unserved portion of the original term, with the earlier conditions, new conditions, or earlier conditions unchanged or modified.
Deferred or denied
DEFERRED pending supplemental briefing and/or a hearing, DENIED after complete review on the merits with optional factors considered, or DENIED WITHOUT PREJUDICE for lack of exhaustion.
Signature
IT IS SO ORDERED, the date, and the signature of the United States District Judge.
How AO 248 is filled out
- 1
Fill in the caption
Enter the district, the case number and the defendant's name.
- 2
Mark who brought the motion
Check the defendant or the Director of the Bureau of Prisons.
- 3
Check one outcome
GRANTED, DEFERRED, DENIED after review on the merits, or DENIED WITHOUT PREJUDICE. Each has its own box.
- 4
For a grant, fill in the terms
Enter the reduced sentence or time served, the release timing choice, any release address box, and any special term of probation or supervised release with its conditions.
- 5
For a deferral, set the response date
Enter the date by which the United States Attorney files a response with the Bureau of Prisons records.
- 6
Date and sign
The United States District Judge dates and signs below IT IS SO ORDERED.
Why fill Form AO 248 on indox
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Who issues it, timing and fees
Issued by the court
AO 248 is an order of a United States District Court, signed by a United States District Judge. It is the ruling on the motion, not the motion itself.
Fourteen-day stay
Both time served choices stay the order for up to fourteen days, and the form says there shall be no delay in ensuring travel arrangements are made.
30 days and exhaustion
The DENIED WITHOUT PREJUDICE box says the defendant has not exhausted all administrative remedies as required in 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A), nor have 30 days lapsed since the warden received the defendant's request.
Fees
The form and its U.S. Courts page do not print a fee.
Format
The U.S. Courts page offers AO 248 as a PDF, effective on September 9, 2020.
Related forms
AO 250
Motion for Sentence Reduction Under 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A)
131 fields, 16 pages
AO 247
Order Regarding Motion For Sentence Reduction Pursuant To 18 U.S.C. § 3582(C)(2)
30 fields, 2 pages
AO 245C
Amended Judgment in Criminal Case
638 fields, 22 pages
AO 245B
Judgment in a Criminal Case
767 fields, 25 pages
Who completes AO 248?
The court completes and signs the order. These are the people the form names.
Official sources and the blank
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Questions about Form AO 248
Is AO 248 the motion for compassionate release?
No. AO 248 is the court's order on the motion. The U.S. Courts forms list also has AO 250, Motion for Sentence Reduction Under 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A).
Who signs AO 248?
A United States District Judge, below IT IS SO ORDERED and the date.
What outcomes can the order record?
The form has boxes for GRANTED, DEFERRED pending supplemental briefing and/or a hearing, DENIED after complete review of the motion on the merits, and DENIED WITHOUT PREJUDICE for lack of exhaustion.
What is the fourteen-day stay?
When the sentence is reduced to time served, the form offers a stay of up to fourteen days to verify a residence or set up a release plan, make travel arrangements and ensure safe release. If more time is needed, the form says the parties shall notify the court and show cause why the stay should be extended.
What is the special term on the form?
The form says that under 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A), the defendant may be ordered to serve a special term of probation or supervised release, not to exceed the unserved portion of the original term of imprisonment.
Does AO 248 list a fee?
No. The form and its U.S. Courts page do not print a fee.