Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for decoding encoded information. For example, a decoder including a branch metric calculator that conditionally calculates a branch metric based on either an actual input or a saturated input. Such a branch metric calculator is operable to receive an actual input, and to compare the actual input with an expected range. At times, the aforementioned comparison yields a comparison result indicating that the actual input is outside of the expected range. A first branch metric associated with a first branch is calculated. Where the first branch has an expected value representing a boundary of the expected range, calculating the first branch metric is done using the saturated input. Further, a second branch metric associated with a second branch is calculated. Where the second branch has an expected value representing something other than a boundary of the expected range, calculating the second branch metric is done using the actual input.