11/1/11 - U.S. Sentencing Commission's long-awaited report is critical of mandatory minimum sentences
In its report, the Commission said any new penalty schemes should (1) not be excessively severe, (2) be narrowly tailored to apply only to those offenders who warrant such punishment, and (3) be applied consistently. The Commission’s report also includes recommended reforms, many of which are sentencing reforms advocated for by FAMM. These include expanding the federal safety valve and reforming the 924 (c) gun stacking provisions.
FAMM president Julie Stewart comments, “I am encouraged that the Sentencing Commission report includes reforms that have been advocated by FAMM for many years, including allowing greater judicial discretion in sentencing low-level offenders. Each of these ideas is a step in the right direction and will result in better justice. Read FAMM's press release and the Commission's report.
8/29/11 - FAMM comments on Commission's 2012 priorities
Download our letter to the U.S. Sentencing Commission, commenting on their 2012 priorities for federal sentencing guideline changes. Click here to download the letter.
6/30/11 - Sentencing Commission makes federal crack guideline changes retroactive!
On June 30, 2011, the U.S. Sentencing Commission voted unanimously in favor of making its proposed permanent crack guideline amendment retroactive. The retroactive amendment does not go into effect until November 1, 2011. It will make 12,000 federal crack offenders eligible to receive sentence reductions. The average sentence reduction would be 37 months. The retroactive reform could save the federal government up to over $1 billion over the next 30 years.
To read more about this historic victory for justice, click here.
Also, make sure to read FAMM's answers to frequently asked questions about the 2011 Retroactive Crack Guideline Amendment.
5/2011 - Sentencing Commission mulls federal guideline changes
The U.S. Sentencing Commission is in the process of considering and implementing changes to the federal sentencing guidelines. FAMM is especially interested in:
- Making the temporary changes to crack cocaine sentences permanent. (This change was made on April 6, 2011.)
- Making reduced crack sentencing guidelines retroactive (likely to be voted on after May 1 and before Nov. 1)
- Reducing the current guidelines (and, as a result, sentences) for all drugs by two levels, also called ‘drugs minus two’ (may not be voted on this year)
More Information:
4/29/11 - Sentencing Commission calls for public comment on crack retroactivity
On April 28, the U.S. Sentencing Commission sent proposed changes to the federal sentencing guidelines to Congress and called for public comment on retroactivity of the crack guideline. Next week, FAMM will launch a new letter writing campaign to the commission. Read the background and get ready to act!
4/7/11 - Sentencing Commission makes crack guideline changes permanent
FAMM’s Mary Price and Julie Stewart attended the U.S. Sentencing Commission meeting on April 6, where the Commission voted to send a series of guideline amendments to Congress. Here is what happened.
3/23/11 - U.S. Sentencing Commission mulls possible changes
Read FAMM's summary of the Commission's March 17 hearing, testimony from witnesses and more on what happens next. Read more
3/3/11 - USSC resources on 2011 guideline reform effort
Check out FAMM's newest resources on proposed reforms to federal sentencing guidelines. Click here
2/1/11 - New data on retroactivity of the proposed crack amendment
The U.S. Sentencing Commission published data on how many people would be affected if they permanently implement changes to federal crack cocaine guidelines under the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010. FAMM is working on an analysis of the date and will publish it here when it's ready. You can also download the data from the USSC's website.
1/14/11 - Commission publishes proposed guidelines for comment
On Tuesday, January 11, the United States Sentencing Commission issued proposals to amend the federal sentencing guidelines and asked for public comment on them by March 21. It also published what it calls “issues for comment,” which are more general questions about specific guidelines and how they might be amended. FAMM is happy to see that the Commission is proposing some changes we have championed (some for years). Keep in mind that these proposals are in the very early stages and are only proposals at this time. FAMM will keep you updated here on our website. Read more about the proposals and download them.
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