You are here

Feed aggregator

"Kennedy v. Louisiana and the Future of the Eighth Amendment"

Sentencing Law & Policy - Thu, 04/10/2025 - 14:51
The title of this post is the title of this article just posted to SSRN and authored by Alexandra L. Klein. Here is its abstract: In 2023, Florida passed a law permitting the imposition of the death penalty for the... Douglas A. Berman Death Penalty Reforms Sentences Reconsidered Who Sentences

Reviewing Louisiana's new (algorithmic) approach to parole

Sentencing Law & Policy - Thu, 04/10/2025 - 10:59
A helpdul colleague made sure I saw this new ProPublica piece looking at Louisiana's new parole law and practices. I would recommend the lengthy piece in full, with its themes previews by this headline: "An Algorithm Deemed This Nearly Blind... Douglas A. Berman Procedure and Proof at Sentencing Sentences Reconsidered Technocorrections Who Sentences

US Sentencing Commission creates two new and notable advisory groups

Sentencing Law & Policy - Wed, 04/09/2025 - 17:58
As detailed in this press release, the "United States Sentencing Commission announced this week the formation of a Sentence Impact Advisory Group (SIAG) and an ad hoc Research and Data Practices Advisory Group (RDPAG) with the objectives of strengthening, modernizing,... Douglas A. Berman Federal Sentencing Guidelines Who Sentences

"Race, the Academy, and The Constitution of the War on Drugs"

Sentencing Law & Policy - Wed, 04/09/2025 - 13:55
The title of this post is the title of this article/book review authored by Jeffrey Bellin and I. Bennett Capers and recently posted to SSRN. Here is its abstract: The war on drugs is widely viewed as a policy failure.... Douglas A. Berman Drug Offense Sentencing Who Sentences

Florida completes its third execution in 2025

Sentencing Law & Policy - Tue, 04/08/2025 - 20:51
As reported in this AP article, a "Florida man convicted of killing a Miami Herald employee who was abducted on her lunch break was executed Tuesday evening." Here is more: Michael Tanzi was pronounced dead at 6:12 p.m. following a... Douglas A. Berman Baze and Glossip lethal injection cases Death Penalty Reforms

Can and should BigLaw firms cutting deals with Prez Trump meet pro bono commitments through First Step Act work?

Sentencing Law & Policy - Tue, 04/08/2025 - 17:22
The question in the title of this post is prompted by this new Bloomberg Law podcast titled "Trump Gets Millions in Pro Bono Work, But Details Still Fuzzy." Here is the set up to the discussion: Law firms are striking... Douglas A. Berman FIRST STEP Act and its implementation Prisons and prisoners Who Sentences

Adelakun v. Adelakun

Maryland Judiciary - Tue, 04/08/2025 - 13:24

Adelakun v. Adelakun

Maryland Judiciary - Tue, 04/08/2025 - 13:24

Bureau of Justice Statistics releases "Jail Inmates in 2023 - Statistical Tables"

Sentencing Law & Policy - Tue, 04/08/2025 - 12:57
Via email, I learned this morning that the Bureau of Justice Statistics has now published new data about jail populations as of 2023 under the exciting title "Jail Inmates in 2023 - Statistical Tables." The new data is available now... Douglas A. Berman Data on sentencing Prisons and prisoners Scope of Imprisonment Who Sentences

"Pardoning Corporations"

Sentencing Law & Policy - Tue, 04/08/2025 - 09:10
The title of this post is the title of this new article now available via SSRN authored by Brandon Stras. Here is its abstract: Though the Pardon Clause could be interpreted to include or exclude corporate offenses, overlooked history suggests... Douglas A. Berman Clemency and Pardons Offender Characteristics Sentences Reconsidered White-collar sentencing Who Sentences

US Sentencing Commission has (possible) vote scheduled on (big?) proposed guideline amendments

Sentencing Law & Policy - Mon, 04/07/2025 - 17:35
As detailed on this webpage, federal sentencing fans need to mark their calendars for the afternoon of April 11, 2025. In addition to watching The Masters, I now expect to be multitasking because the US Sentencing Commission has noticed its... Douglas A. Berman Federal Sentencing Guidelines Who Sentences

"Rogue Prosecutor Panic"

Sentencing Law & Policy - Mon, 04/07/2025 - 11:11
The title of this post is the title of this new paper just posted to SSRN and authored by Michael L. Smith. Here is its abstract: Discussions of criminal law, enforcement, and reform are frequently messy and misleading. Anecdotes distract... Douglas A. Berman Procedure and Proof at Sentencing Who Sentences

Supreme Court grants cert on two constitutional criminal cases regarding restitituion and right to counsel

Sentencing Law & Policy - Mon, 04/07/2025 - 10:17
The Supreme Court this morning issued this short order list that still has some interesting elements for criminal justice fans. Specifically, the Court granted cert on two cases, both of which involve issues of constitutional criminal procedure. Here are the... Douglas A. Berman Fines, Restitution and Other Economic Sanctions Procedure and Proof at Sentencing Who Sentences

How many federal capital prosecutions would there be if AG really pursued the death penalty "whenever possible"?

Sentencing Law & Policy - Sun, 04/06/2025 - 15:55
The question in the title of this post is prompted by this new article discussing statements today by Attorney General Pam Bondi. The piece is headlined "AG Pam Bondi Says Trump Is Going to Seek the Death Penalty ‘Whenever Possible’... Douglas A. Berman Criminal justice in the Trump Administration Death Penalty Reforms Who Sentences

In sentencing memos, feds advocate for 7+ years in prison while George Santos' team urges statutory minimum of 2 years

Sentencing Law & Policy - Sat, 04/05/2025 - 17:00
In this post last August, I asked "what sentence for former US Rep George Santos after his plea to fraud and identity theft?". US District Judge Joanna Seybert is scheduled to provide the official answer to this question at George... Douglas A. Berman Celebrity sentencings Federal Sentencing Guidelines Offender Characteristics Offense Characteristics White-collar sentencing Who Sentences

Some more highlighting of more notable recent Inquest essays

Sentencing Law & Policy - Sat, 04/05/2025 - 13:13
It has been a couple of montjs since I highlighted essays from Inquest, "a decarceral brainstorm," and so here is coverage of just come of its newer pieces that sentencing fans may want to check out: By Denali Wilson, "Ending... Douglas A. Berman Prisons and prisoners Scope of Imprisonment

Pages

Theme by Danetsoft and Danang Probo Sayekti inspired by Maksimer