WASHINGTON, D.C. — FAMM Vice President and General Counsel Mary Price today saluted the House Appropriations Committee for including language in its fiscal year (FY) 2014 Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) Appropriations report that urges the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to make better use of its authority to grant compassionate release to more federal prisoners. FAMM has … Read More
Read MoreWASHINGTON, D.C. — A group of more than 50 former federal prosecutors and judges today sent a letter to Capitol Hill endorsing the Justice Safety Valve Act of 2013, legislation that authorizes judges to depart from a mandatory minimum sentence in cases where the minimum is not necessary to protect public safety and would be … Read More
Read MoreWASHINGTON, D.C. — FAMM President Julie Stewart today saluted Oregonian legislative leaders for approving a bipartisan criminal justice bill that will improve public safety and save taxpayers $326 million over the next ten years. The state senate passed the measure yesterday. Governor John Kizhaber, who strongly supported sentencing and prison reform, is expected to sign … Read More
Read MoreOn July 2, FAMM President Julie Stewart saluted Oregonian legislative leaders for approving a bipartisan criminal justice bill that will improve public safety and save taxpayers $326 million over the next ten years. The state senate passed the measure yesterday. Governor John Kizhaber, who strongly supported sentencing and prison reform, is expected to sign the … Read More
Read MoreFAMM President Julie Stewart sharply criticized provisions in an immigration reform bill that would create or expand mandatory minimum sentences. The bill, H.R. 2278, known as the Strengthen and Fortify Enhancement Act (or SAFE Act), was approved by the House Judiciary Committee today by a vote of 20 to 15 and now heads to the … Read More
Read MoreWASHINGTON, D.C. – On June 17, the U.S. Supreme Court shook up mandatory minimum sentencing, extending the protection of the Sixth Amendment’s right to trial by jury to all defendants facing enhanced mandatory minimum sentences. In Alleyne v. United States, a 5-4 majority held that any fact that triggers any mandatory minimum sentence is an “element” of the … Read More
Read MoreWASHINGTON, D.C. — FAMM President Julie Stewart released the following statement this morning as the new bipartisan Task Force on Overcriminalization in the U.S. House of Representatives kicked off its first hearing: “When I learned first learned that House Judiciary Committee leaders planned to create the new Overcriminalization Task Force, I was cautiously optimistic. I … Read More
Read MoreTwo weeks ago, we gave you the good news that two judges of a three-judge panel of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 (FSA) is retroactive. People sentenced to the old crack cocaine mandatory minimums before August 3, 2010, in the states the Sixth Circuit covers, could … Read More
Read MoreWASHINGTON, D.C. — On May 17, FAMM President Julie Stewart strongly urged the U.S. Department of Justice to let stand today’s decision of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, in which a majority ruled that the Fair Sentencing Act should be applied retroactively. The case is US v. Blewett, No. 12-5226 (6th Cir. May 17, 2013). … Read More
Read MoreWASHINGTON, D.C. — FAMM President Julie Stewart expressed hope and frustration following Attorney General Eric Holder’s appearance at the House Judiciary Committee hearing on May 15. Said Stewart: “Attorney General Holder’s comments at the Judiciary Committee hearing yesterday and in a recent speech sounded like a page from FAMM talking points playbook. They give me … Read More
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