Sentencing Commission releases amended guidelines
WASHINGTON – Federal judges may consider a wider range of factors in determining criminal sentences under amended guidelines released by the U.S. Sentencing Commission. The amended guidelines, which go...
View ArticleJudges say mandatory minimums too high
WASHINGTON – Most federal trial judges believe mandatory sentences are too long, according to survey results released by the U.S. Sentencing Commission. The study, the first ever poll of federal judges...
View ArticleBill to cut crack-powder cocaine sentencing gap passes
WASHINGTON – Congress has sent a bill to the desk of President Barack Obama that would cut the disparity between federal sentences for crack cocaine and powder cocaine offenses. The measure is expected...
View ArticleMassachusetts federal judge named to head U.S. sentencing panel
U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris has been unanimously confirmed as chair of the federal Sentencing Commission. Saris, 59, has a reputation for being a smart and thoughtful judge who generally...
View ArticleCan plea-bargained crack sentences be reduced?
WASHINGTON – In a case that could impact thousands of defendants seeking modifications of sentences under the federal crack cocaine sentencing guidelines, the Supreme Court heard arguments on whether...
View ArticleSentencing commission amends crack, other guidelines
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Sentencing Commission has voted to amend federal sentencing guidelines covering sentences for crack cocaine offenses and certain other offenses involving firearms. The amended...
View ArticleDOJ backs retroactive reduction of crack sentences
WASHINGTON – The Obama administration is urging the U.S. Sentencing Commission to revise its guidelines to retroactively apply a 2010 law cutting the disparity between sentences for crack cocaine and...
View ArticleCommission makes crack sentence cuts retroactive
WASHINGTON – In a unanimous vote, the U.S. Sentencing Commission voted Thursday to apply a proposed amendment lowering the sentencing guidelines for some crack cocaine offenders retroactively. The...
View ArticleCrack sentencing retroactivity vote spurs controversy
The recent vote by the U.S. Sentencing Commission to apply its newly reduced sentencing guidelines for crack offenses retroactively has spurred debate among defense attorneys, prosecutors and law...
View ArticleSentencing Commission seeks bill to cut sentencing variances
WASHINGTON – In testimony before Congress, the chair of the U.S. Sentencing Commission urged lawmakers to pass legislation that would cut down on sentencing disparities and add more teeth to sentencing...
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