FAMM's FAQs and factsheets answer commonly asked questions from our members about developments in federal sentencing policy. To view these documents, your computer needs the free Adobe Acrobat reader. FAMM cannot provide you or your loved one with legal advice, referrals to attorneys, legal research, or representation. *Please read our full legal disclaimer.
The Justice Safety Valve Act of 2013
FAMM FAQ on Paul-Leahy Justice Safety Valve Act of 2013
FAMM FAQ on "Snitching"
FAQ: FAMM fact sheet on "Snitching"
How to influence your lawmakers
FAMM's Citizen Action Kit
FAQ: Tips for an effective meeting with Congress
Factsheet: Attending a town hall meeting
Factsheet: How Congress can cut criminal justice spending without compromising public safety
Factsheet: Alternatives to incarceration in a nutshell
Sentencing Reform in the 112th Congress
The 112th Congress was in session from January 2011 to December 2012. Any federal legislation that did not become law before December 31, 2012, died and must be reintroduced in the next Congress (in other words, if it didn’t become a law by December 31, 2012, we have to start over again from scratch in January 2013). During the 112th Congress, we experienced some setbacks, but we also created a foundation for important federal sentencing reforms that we will continue supporting in the 113th Congress, which begins in January 2013.
Summary of the federal sentencing legislation from the 112th Congress.
State sentencing reforms
Factsheet: Recent state-level reforms to mandatory minimum sentencing laws
FAMM's state sentencing law map
Finding legal help
FAQ: Is this a state or federal case?
FAQ: How to find and work with a lawyer
Crack cocaine
Factsheet: A brief history of crack cocaine sentencing laws
FAQ: Crack pipeline cases and Dorsey v. United States (added 7/16/12)
FAQ: The 2011 retroactive crack guideline amendment
FAQ: The Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 (a/k/a the new crack law)
FAQ: The 2007 retroactive "crack minus two" guideline amendment
U.S. Sentencing Guideline amendments
Factsheet: U.S. Sentencing Guideline amendments in a nutshell (how the process works)
FAQ: The 2010 recency amendment to the federal sentencing guidelines
FAQ: The 2011 retroactive crack guideline amendment
FAQ: The 2007 retroactive "crack minus two" guideline amendment
Federal mandatory minimum laws
Factsheet: How federal sentencing works: Mandatory minimums, statutory maximums, and sentencing guidelines
Factsheet: Mandatory minimum sentencing laws in a nutshell
Factsheet: Safety valves in a nutshell
Chart: Complete list of federal mandatory minimum statutes
Chart: Federal mandatory minimums passed between 2002-2012
Graph: Federal mandatory minimums passed between 1987-2012
Chart: Mandatory minimum drug sentences, 21 USC § 841
Chart: Mandatory minimum drug sentences: Continuing criminal enterprise (CCE), 21 USC § 848
Chart: Mandatory minimum gun sentences: Use or carrying a gun, 18 USC § 924(c)
Chart: Mandatory minimum gun sentences: Armed Career Criminal Act (ACCA), 18 USC § 924(e)
Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), reentry, good time, and halfway houses
FAQ: Questions about the lack of parole for federal prisoners
Factsheet: Helping your loved one in federal prison
FAQ: The Second Chance Reauthorization Act
FAQ: The Second Chance Act
FAQ: BOP's Residential Drug Abuse Program (R-DAP)
FAQ: Federal halfway houses and home confinement
FAQ: Federal good time credit
Commutations and compassionate release
FAQ: Commutations and pardons
Factsheet: FAMM's suggestions for filing your federal commutation petition
FAQ: Compassionate release
Parole
FAQ: Federal parole
Understanding who is in prison
FAQ: Marijuana offenders
Factsheet: Women in prisons in a nutshell