Base offense level

The raw number or point score assigned by the sentencing guidelines to each offense. The base offense level may be modified if specific offense characteristics exist. For example, the base offense level for guideline Section 2B1.1 (Larceny, Embezzlement, and Other Forms of Theft) is 4. But if the object stolen was a firearm, the base offense is increased (adjusted upward) by one level, to 5.