10/3/08
Congress passes bill to restore judicial majority on the U.S. Sentencing Commission
On September 27, Congress passed S.3659, the “Judicial Administration and Technical Amendments Act of 2008,” which restored a minimum judicial presence on the U.S. Sentencing Commission. The bill was sent to the President for his signature on October 2.
When it was first created in 1984, the Commission was made up of seven voting members, of which at least three were required to be federal judges (28 U.S.C. § 991(a)). In 2003, Congress amended the statute through the PROTECT Act, requiring that “not more than three” commissioners could be members of the judiciary. This meant that the Commission, the agency that monitors and amends the guidelines that federal judges consult at sentencing, could potentially include no judges at all.
FAMM commends passage of S.3659. Judges bring to the Commission an enormous wealth of experience and knowledge necessary to determine appropriate sentencing guidelines.
9/8/08
FAMM comments on 2009 sentencing guideline policy priorities
The U.S. Sentencing Commission published its list of policy priorities for the upcoming amendment cycle. To see the Commission’s priorities, please visit http://www.ussc.gov/FEDREG/20080908_Finalpriorities.pdf
In the month before announcing their final priorities, the Commission published a notice of possible policy priorities for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2009 and solicited public comment. Read FAMM’s comment on the proposed priorities.
7/25/08
USSC publishes 2009 priorities
The United States Sentencing Commission (USSC) posted its 2009 priorities, including continuation of work in support of crack cocaine sentencing reform; consideration of alternatives to incarceration; and, potentially, a study of statutory mandatory minimum penalties. The USSC is soliciting public comment on proposed priorities through September 8. To see the USSC’s stated priorities, please click here.
7/25/08
FAMM sends 2009 sentencing priorities to U.S. Sentencing Commission
Each year, Families Against Mandatory Minimums submits a letter to the U.S. Sentencing Commission urging the commission to prioritize key sentencing issues in 2009 amendment cycle. The USSC will likely announce its priorities in August 2008. Read priorities letter
4/18/08
New updates to FAMM's frequently asked questions on crack guideline
FAMM has updated our resource on the crack cocaine guideline amendment and its retroactive application. To download FAMM's guide, click here.
4/18/08
Clarification of FAMMGram article on crack resources
FAMM was asked to clarify a section about crack retroactivity resources on p. 10 of our Spring FAMMGram newsletter. As the article notes, FAMM cannot provide its members with legal advice or representation. The best course is always to consult with your lawyer on any legal matter. Read more
3/3/08
Now is the time for crack offenders to talk to lawyers
On Monday March 3, the retroactive amendment to the crack guidelines went into effect across the country. Data from the U.S. Sentencing Commission shows that thousands of federal crack offenders could be eligible for sentence reductions. Read more
2/08/08
Public defenders letter on application of retroactive crack guideline
Click here to read the sentencing guideline committee's letter to lawyers
1/29/08
New links to crack retroactivity resources are available
Are you or your lawyer having difficulty understanding what the new retroactive crack amendment means, or how it might be used by the courts? For informative new resources, click here.