News

In April 2025, the Federal Defenders commented on the USSC's request for comment on its retroactivity criteria.

The Federal Public & Community Defenders submitted to the Sentencing Commission our comments regarding the Commission's January 2025 proposed amendments.

The Federal Public & Community Defenders submitted to the Sentencing Commission our comments regarding the Commission's proposed December 2024 Amendments.

The Federal Public and Community Defenders commented on the Bureau of Prisons’ (BOP) latest proposed rule regarding the Inmate Financial Responsibility Program (IFRP).

In response to a call for comments, Federal Public and Community Defenders submitted the attached letter to the DEA re the pending proposal to move marijuana to Schedule III.

In response to the Sentencing Commission's call for proposals on potential priorities, Federal Public and Community Defenders submitted the attached letter calling for reforms: recalibrating guideline ranges downward; revising the relevant-conduct guideline so it does not sweep in dismissed and uncharged conduct; and substantially narrowing the reach of the career-offender guideline.

On June 21, 2024, the Federal Public and Community Defenders submitted its comment to the USSG Commission advocating in favor of the retroactive application of 2024 Amendment 1 (Acquitted Conduct), Part A of Amendment 3 (§2K2.1(b)(4)(B) enhancement), Part B of Amendment 3 (Grouping: §2K2.4, application note 4), and Part D of Amendment 5 (§2D1.1(a)(1)–(4) enhanced base offense levels).

Read the May 15, 2024 Federal Public and Community Defenders' Annual Letter to the U.S. Sent. Commission, which identifies the sentencing policy issues the Defenders believe the Commission should prioritize during the 2024-25 amendment cycle.

Defender witnesses submitted written testimony on additional proposed guideline amendments:  loss definition for purposes of §2B1.1; circuit conflicts regarding §2K2.1's reference to "altered or obliterated serial number" and grouping rules in certain cases involving §2K2.4; and several miscellaneous issues: the STOP Act of 2021, Evasion of Export Controls under §2M5.1, Offenses involving monetary instruments transactions under §2S1.3, enhanced base offense levels for certain drug offenses under §2D1.1(a), and the definition of "sex offense" in §4C1.1.

The Federal Public and Community Defenders submitted comments on proposed amendments regarding acquitted conduct sentencing, youthful individuals, simplification of the three-step process (elimination of departures).

The Federal Public & Community Defenders submitted to the Sentencing Commission our comment regarding the Commission's proposed priorities for the 2023-2024 amendment cycle. 

The Federal Public & Community Defenders submitted to the Sentencing Commission their comment regarding the retroactivity of Parts A and B of the Criminal History Amendment.

The Federal Public and Community Defenders have submitted our annual letter to the Sentencing Commission on what we hope will be on the Commission's priority list for 2023-24.

Federal Public and Community Defenders submitted to the Bureau of Prisons a comment on the Bureau's proposed rule regarding the Inmate Financial Responsibility Program (IFRP).

The Federal Public and Community Defenders have submitted our comments on all of the Sentencing Commission's proposed amendments for this amendment cycle. It turns out that we have a lot to say!