Washington, D.C. – In a major victory for sentencing reform advocates, the U.S. Sentencing Commission has amended the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines to preclude the consideration of acquitted conduct at sentencing. This amendment, which goes into effect on August 1, 2024, marks a significant step towards a more constitutional and equitable sentencing system.
The Supreme Court made a decision in Pulsifer v. United States that significantly narrowed the reach of the “safety valve” provision, which allows for reduced sentences in federal drug offenses, undermining recent efforts by Congress to mitigate the harshness of mandatory minimum sentences. The majority’s interpretation, as described by Justice Elena Kagan, restricts the eligibility
Earlier today, the U.S. Sentencing Commission published an updated report on mandatory minimum penalties for drug offenders. The comprehensive report surveys recent sentencing trends for drug offenders subject to mandatory minimum penalties, as well as the impact such penalties have had on the Bureau of Prisons’ inmate population. Among the key findings was the impact