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In May 2026, the Federal Public & Community Defenders' Guidelines Committee sent our annual letter to the Sentencing Commission requesting that the Commission prioritize various guidelines and other sentencing issues during the upcoming amendment cycle.

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.

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).

Defender witnesses submitted written testimony on additional proposed guideline amendments:  l

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.

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!

Federal Public and Community Defenders, by Federal Defender Sentencing Guidelines Committee Chair Michael Caruso, commented on the Sentencing Commission's proposed policy priorities.