Press Releases - FAMM

Press Releases

Florida Senate Passes the Threatened Use of Force Act

Thursday, April 3, 2014

TALLAHASSEE, FLA. – Today, the Florida Senate joined the House in passing the The Threatened Use of Force Act, a bill that provides a legal defense for Floridians who threaten to use force—such as warning shots—in situations where deadly force is already protected by law.  “The Senate should be commended for addressing this glaring omission … Read More

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FAMM Applauds Florida House Passage of Threatened Use of Force Act

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Contact: Greg Newburn, Florida director for Families Against Mandatory Minimums, gnewburn@famm.org The Threatened Use of Force Act passed the Florida House early Thursday evening. HB 89 provides legal protection for persons who threaten to use force—such as by firing warning shots—in situations in which deadly force is already protected by Florida law.  “HB 89 addresses a glaring hole in … Read More

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FAMM Welcomes Mike Riggs as Director of Communications

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Contact:  202-822-6700  Families Against Mandatory Minimums is excited to welcome Mike Riggs as the foundation’s new director of communications. Mike joins FAMM from The Atlantic Cities, where he was a staff writer covering criminal justice policy. “We’re thrilled to add Mike to our team,” said FAMM President Julie Stewart. “He’s passionate about our work and … Read More

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FAMM Calls For End To Over-Incarceration Binge; Joins Attorney General in Supporting Reduce Drug Sentencing Guidelines

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Contact:  202-822-6700  This morning, FAMM president, Julie Stewart, will testify at the U.S. Sentencing Commission in support of the Commission’s proposal to lower federal drug sentences by an average of 11 months.  Stewart points out that: FAMM strongly supports this amendment but it is a modest correction, not a major change in policy – people … Read More

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FAMM Hails Continued Bipartisan Support for Criminal Justice Reforms

Thursday, March 6, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:  202-822-6700  Today, FAMM applauds the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee’s passage of the Recidivism Reduction and Public Safety Act (S. 1675). The bipartisan bill, a compromise negotiated by Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and John Cornyn (R-TX), is anticipated to help alleviate overcrowding in federal prisons – now at 138 percent of their … Read More

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Senate Judiciary Committee Advances Sentencing Reform Overhaul

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Washington, DC – Today, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee passed the first major reconsideration of federal mandatory minimum drug sentencing laws since the Nixon Administration. The Committee voted, 13-5, in support of S. 1410, the Smarter Sentencing Act, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senators Mike Lee (R-UT) and Richard Durbin (D-IL). The Smarter Sentencing Act:  … Read More

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FAMM Cheers Justice Department Effort to Grant More Clemency

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Department of Justice Deputy Attorney General James Cole, in prepared remarks to the New York State Bar Association, asked lawyers and prison officials to assist federal prisoners serving lengthy sentences for low-level, nonviolent drug offenses with requesting commutations (sentence reductions) from President Barack Obama. In particular, Cole emphasized the administration’s … Read More

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Update: Burrage Supreme Court Case Decided

Monday, January 27, 2014

It’s unanimous: U.S. Supreme Court overturns federal conviction and the 20-year mandatory minimum that went with it. Federal law calls for harsh mandatory minimum sentences for distributing drugs. These five- and ten-year sentences are imposed when a person is convicted of selling specific drug quantities. In some case, federal law requires courts to dramatically enhance … Read More

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Update from the U.S. Sentencing Commission

Thursday, January 9, 2014

On January 9, the U.S. Sentencing Commission held a public meeting and voted to publish proposed changes (“amendments”) to the federal sentencing guidelines, which are used in all federal criminal cases. One of the proposed amendments would reduce the sentencing guidelines for federal drug trafficking offenses by two base offense levels, for all types of … Read More

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