WASHINGTON, D.C. ― Equipped with a quorum of Commissioners for the first time since 2018, the bipartisan United States Sentencing Commission voted today to promulgate amendments to the federal sentencing guidelines. “The Sentencing Commission is back in business,” said Chair Carlton W. Reeves. “Today, we are listening to Congress and the public by increasing first steps toward second chances, taking targeted action on gun trafficking and fentanyl, and expanding alternatives to incarceration. The policies issued today are common-sense ideas that will increase public safety while strengthening our communities.” Watch the public meeting.
During the pandemic, federal judges saved lives using their authority in 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A) to reduce sentences for incarcerated people facing “extraordinary and compelling” circumstances like certain risks posed by COVID-19. Responding to the First Step Act’s directive to increase the use and transparency of this tool, the Commission updated its guidelines to reflect lessons learned since the pandemic, ensure judges can continue to take first steps toward second chances for those who deserve them, and reunite families through appropriate reentry. “Judges are in the best position to decide if someone deserves to have the length of their sentence revisited,” said Chair Reeves. “This policy trusts courts to continue doing what is right.”
Since the Commission last had a quorum, communities across the country have struggled with the ills of gun trafficking and fentanyl. Congress directed the Commission to act on gun trafficking through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022, while the Drug Enforcement Administration asked the Commission to evaluate possible action on fentanyl. In response, the Commission voted to take targeted action on both issues. “The problems of gun trafficking and drug overdoses demand a comprehensive response,” said Vice Chair Claire Murray. “I am proud to say the Commission is doing its part by ensuring we have proportional sentences for serious offenses.”
The Commission is also revising guidance to courts regarding people facing their first federal conviction. Relying on data and extensive analysis about recidivism, the Commission is acting to maximize public safety and encourage consideration of alternatives to incarceration. “Our new policies revise the sentencing guidelines based on empirical research and experience,” said Vice Chair Laura Mate. “This careful, evidence-based approach will increase fairness in sentencing and keep our communities safe.”
Among the many other policies issued by the Commission are those that seek to address ghost guns, sexual abuse of incarcerated people by correctional employees, clarify acceptance of responsibility points for defendants, and implement criminal justice legislation passed by Congress. “The policies issued today reflect the wide spectrum of views we received through public hearing testimony and tens of thousands of letters,” said Chair Reeves. “The policies issued today prove, beyond a doubt, that when you speak to the Commission, you will be heard.”
While the newly reconstituted Commission concludes its first policymaking cycle, there is more work to do. In the year to come, the Commissioners will continue to study a number of proposed policies, including those regarding how the guidelines treat acquitted conduct and the “categorical approach” to the career offender guideline. In the meantime, the Commission will send final amendments to Congress by May 1, 2023. If Congress does not act to disapprove the amendments, they will take effect on November 1, 2023. Visit the Commission’s website for more information about the amendment process and the changes approved today.
More Posts
![Judge dismissed felony charge against medical marijuana patient Max Lorincz](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Fox-17-Michigan_Michael_Komorn_Law.png)
Judge dismissed felony charge against medical marijuana patient Max Lorincz
OTTAWA COUNTY, Mich. – After 16 months of a criminal and family court battle, an Ottawa County Circuit Court Judge dismissed wrongful felony charges against a Spring Lake father and card-carrying medical marijuana patient for having “synthetic THC.” Friday Max...
![Southfield attorneys accuse MSP Crime Lab of negligence and incompetence](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Oakland-Press.jpg)
Southfield attorneys accuse MSP Crime Lab of negligence and incompetence
Two local attorneys have filed a formal complaint against the Michigan State Police Crime Lab, suggesting the agency should be made into an independent entity, but state officials have refuted the accusations of negligence and incompetence. Southfield-based...
![Forensic scientists blast State Police crime lab THC policy as man fights to get son back](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/michigan-radio_komorn-law.png)
Forensic scientists blast State Police crime lab THC policy as man fights to get son back
Maxwell Lorincz lives in Spring Lake near Lake Michigan with his wife and their six-year-old son. At least, they did live with their son, until a year and a half ago. They lost custody of him after Lorincz was charged with a felony for possessing synthetic THC....
![People v Redden & Clark – MI Medical Marijuana hearing – February 20 2013](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Michael-Komorn1.jpg)
![People v Redden & Clark – MI Medical Marijuana hearing – February 20 2013](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Michael-Komorn1.jpg)
People v Redden & Clark – MI Medical Marijuana hearing – February 20 2013
During this February 20, 2013 hearing, Assistant Oakland County Prosecutor Beth Hand notified the court that her office is contemplating filing criminal charges against a medical doctor for his involvement in certifying two medical marijuana patients, Robert Redden...
![Forensic scientists blast State Police crime lab THC policy as man fights to get son back](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/michigan-radio_komorn-law.png)
![Forensic scientists blast State Police crime lab THC policy as man fights to get son back](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/michigan-radio_komorn-law.png)
![Forensic scientists blast State Police crime lab THC policy as man fights to get son back](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/michigan-radio_komorn-law.png)
Medical marijuana lawyers want state crime lab moved out of Michigan State Police
"The attorneys claim the policy change is leading to unfair felony charges for patients who would otherwise face misdemeanors." Posted on MichiganRadio.org A group of criminal defense attorneys says the Michigan State Police (MSP) should no longer...
![Defense attorneys seek fed inquiry of MSP crime labs](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Detroit_News_logo.png)
![Defense attorneys seek fed inquiry of MSP crime labs](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Detroit_News_logo.png)
Defense attorneys seek fed inquiry of MSP crime labs
Southfield — Three defense attorneys are asking the federal government to investigate the Michigan State Police crime laboratories, alleging misconduct in their testing for pending drug cases. Southfield defense attorneys Neil Rockind and Michael Komorn, along...
![MI Cops Change Policy So They Can Falsely Imprison Legal Pot Smokers](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/addictinginfomasthead.jpg)
![MI Cops Change Policy So They Can Falsely Imprison Legal Pot Smokers](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/addictinginfomasthead.jpg)
MI Cops Change Policy So They Can Falsely Imprison Legal Pot Smokers
In 2008, an overwhelming majority of Michigan voters approved legislation to legalize marijuana for medical use in the state. With nearly 50,000 Michigan residents arrested and incarcerated each year for controlled substance violations, the state’s prison industrial...
![Attorney Alleges Authorities `Bend The Science’ To Elevate Marijuana Cases](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/mirs_logo.png)
![Attorney Alleges Authorities `Bend The Science’ To Elevate Marijuana Cases](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/mirs_logo.png)
Attorney Alleges Authorities `Bend The Science’ To Elevate Marijuana Cases
MIRS-Michigan Independent Source Of News and Information Friday Nov 6, 2015 Maxwell LORINCZ, of Spring Lake, says a fingerprint of oil on an empty plastic container led to his arrest on a drug charge on Sept. 24, 2014. Now, a year later, the case that might have...
![Drug felonies without credible proof? — Allegations of politicking in state police crime labs](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Fox-17-MSP-Crime-Lab-Falsifying-Reports_KomornLaw-01.jpg)
![Drug felonies without credible proof? — Allegations of politicking in state police crime labs](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Fox-17-MSP-Crime-Lab-Falsifying-Reports_KomornLaw-01.jpg)
Drug felonies without credible proof? — Allegations of politicking in state police crime labs
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – First on FOX 17, we broke serious allegations that state police crime labs are being told to falsely report marijuana test results. This is resulting in misleading lab reports that an attorney claims creates felonies without real proof. ...
![Attorney: Crime labs ‘falsified’ marijuana reports](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Livingston-Daily-logo.png)
![Attorney: Crime labs ‘falsified’ marijuana reports](https://komornlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Livingston-Daily-logo.png)
Attorney: Crime labs ‘falsified’ marijuana reports
A Southfield lawyer alleges the Michigan State Police crime labs have “falsified lab reports on marijuana statewide” and he’s asking a judge to dismisses charges lodged against a client. Michael Komorn, who also represents defendants in Livingston County, said...