Sentencing Posts
Managing Collateral Consequences in the Information Age
The newest double issue of Federal Sentencing Reporter, “Managing Collateral Consequences in the Information Age,” touches on the topic of post-sentencing collateral consequences and restoration of rights.
U.S. Supreme Court will not hear Bostic case on long sentences for juveniles
The U.S. Supreme Court will not consider the constitutionality of a 241-year prison sentence given to a St. Louis man more than two decades ago.
The high court on Monday announced it would not hear the case of Bobby Bostic. The justices gave no reason for their decision.
More states facilitating licensing for people with a criminal record
New general laws regulating occupational and professional licensure are in place in Arizona, Illinois, Louisiana, and Massachusetts. Similar bills have been enrolled and are on the governor’s desk for signature in Kansas, Maryland, Nebraska, and Tennessee.
Sick and Aging Prisoners: A Look Into Compassionate Release
The New York Times examines the federal compassionate release program, a program designed to permit the release of sick, dying and elderly prisoners who are the least likely to re-offend and the most expensive to house.
California Supreme Court: Law Barring Direct File of Juveniles Is Retroactive
The California Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that a recent ballot initiative aimed at preventing the transfer of juveniles into the adult justice system could be applied retroactively to pending court cases.
Revisit teen sentences
New York will no longer treat many 16- and 17-year old offenders as adults.
Algorithms and Justice: Scrapping the ‘Black Box’
The justice system is increasingly turning to complicated computer algorithms to help make decisions about bail, sentencing and parole. But many question whether paying private software companies to use secret algorithms in criminal justice is in the public’s best interest.
Experts applaud decision to close Lincoln Hills and form other teen prisons
Closing a Wisconsin teen prison is a decision that’s being applauded by some who say closing Lincoln Hills may help teens. But others warn it’s just the first stop to fixing a broken path in the criminal justice system.
MPC: Sentencing Cited in EDNY Restitution Case
Citing the Proposed Final Draft (PFD) of Model Penal Code: Sentencing, the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of New York dismissed restitution claims due to lack of merit.
In Depth: Sentencing Guidelines and Correctional Resource Management
Sentencing guideline systems exist, in part, to monitor prison growth, prioritize the use of limited correctional resources, and avoid prison overcrowding. Statutes sometimes mandate that sentencing commissions write guidelines, for example, “with due regard for resource availability and cost.”