Drugs

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.

In March 2026, the Federal Defenders' Legislative Committee sent a letter to Congress' Senate Judiciary Committee in opposition to S. 545, the Combatting Illicit Xylazine Act. S. 545 would bypass the Controlled Substance Act's scheduling procedures by placing xylazine on Schedule III through legislation, without the FDA's medical and scientific analysis.

The Federal Public & Community Defenders submitted to the Sentencing Commission our initial and reply comments regarding the Commission's proposed December 2025 Amendments.

In July 2025, the Federal Defenders' Guidelines Committee submitted Defenders' 2025 Priority Le

In May 2025, the Federal Defenders' Guidelines Committee submitted Defenders' 2025 Annual Letter to the Sentencing Commission identifying guideline amendment and related topics Defenders' would like the Commission to address in the 2025-26 amendment cycle.

In May 2025, the Defenders submitted a comment to the Sentencing Commission on fentanyl-related substances, including whether to add enhancements requested by the DOJ.

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 a call for comments, Federal Public and Community Defenders submitted the attached l

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.