Race

In June 2026, the Federal Public & Community Defenders' Guidelines Committee submitted our comment on the Sentencing Commission's 2026 "Unmanned Aircraft" proposed amendment. The amendment responds to a directive to the Sentencing Commission contained in the SAFER SKIES Act.

The Federal Public & Community Defenders submitted to the Sentencing Commission our comments and supplemental comments regarding the Commission's proposed January 2026 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 Federal Defenders' Legislative Committee sent a letter to Congress' House Judiciary Committee in opposition to H.R. 3486, the Stop Illegal Entry Act of 2025. H.R. 3486 would impose new, unprecedented mandatory minimum sentences on individuals whose criminal conduct includes the mere act of coming to the United States to make a better life for their families.

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.

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).