U.S. Sentencing Guidelines Updates

6/4/13 - Make your voice heard at the U.S. Sentencing Commission!

Every year, the U.S. Sentencing Commission, which writes the federal Sentencing Guidelines, suggests changes to the guidelines. These are known as guideline amendments. The process starts when the Commission publishes a list of priorities – issues it wants to tackle – and asks the public for feedback on whether that list is right. The Commission published its 2014 list of priorities on May 30. You have until July 15, 2013, to comment on that list.
FAMM always responds to the Commission’s priorities, and you should, too. It’s important that the Commissioners know the public is paying attention to what they do and that their actions matter to thousands. Read more

4/17/13 - Summary of the 2013 Proposed Federal Sentencing Guideline Amendments

Every year, the U.S. Sentencing Commission amends some of the federal sentencing guidelines after reviewing how courts are applying them, examining new criminal laws and directives from Congress and seeking input from the public. This year, the Commission -- which is reduced from its full capacity of seven to four members (three members were term-limited out at the end of 2012 and no one has been chosen to fill their seats) -- took up a less than ambitious slate of amendments. We are disappointed to report that none of the proposed amendments would reduce sentences. In fact, sadly, most of them were designed to encourage longer punishments under the guidelines. Here are some of the highlights or lowlights, depending on your perspective. Read more

1/15/13 - USSC starts the year off
On Friday, January 11, the United States Sentencing Commission published its first set of proposed amendments to the 2013 federal Sentencing Guidelines. They are a diverse set, covering topics such as concurrent and consecutive sentencing rules, penalties for counterfeit drugs and whether judges can deny a defendant a reduction for acceptance of responsibility recommended by the prosecution. Read more

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