The U.S. Sentencing Commission approved new guidelines on Wednesday that will expand federal inmates' ability to qualify for compassionate release from prison.
The new policy, approved in a vote of 4-3, was part of a broader package of amendments, and represent the most sweeping criminal justice reforms the commission has enacted in more than four years.
"If the commission is to select a correct policy, the fair policy, the just policy, we must listen to those who have lived out the consequences of our choices," he said. The new compassionate release guidelines approved on Wednesday expanded the criteria for what can qualify as "extraordinary and compelling reasons" to grant compassionate release, and it will give judges more discretion to determine when a sentence reduction is warranted.
The policy "makes a systemic, structural change without congressional authorization," commission member Candice Wong said.The commission had been considering a vote on another high-profile reform to limit federal judges from imposing longer sentences on defendants based on alleged crimes even if a unanimous jury has acquitted the defendant of those very same allegations in a split verdict.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Bay Area man, acquitted of murdering his father, faces sentencing for voluntary manslaughterAt sentencing, Victor Alfonso Estrada, who has been in custody for more than five years in a case at the intersection of the state’s massive mental health and criminal court systems, faces three, s…
Read more »
Ex-military couple faces 4th sentencing in child abuse caseA former U.S. Army major and his wife accused of routinely beating their young foster children and denying them food and water as punishment will be sentenced for a fourth time. But, the sentencing will be handled by a different judge, a federal appeals court has ruled.
Read more »
Sentencing for 78-year-old man guilty of killing 2 Tallmadge women in the 1970sGustave Sapharas was arrested at his Jackson Township home by Tallmadge police on Sept. 6, 2019.
Read more »
L.A. County Civilian Oversight Commission to study Sheriff Department's use of TasersCriminal justice experts say the case illustrates the difficulty of scrutinizing officers’ use of less-lethal weapons, which can be as chaotic and complicated to analyze as that of firearms but typically receives less public attention.
Read more »
Severe Weather Outbreak Expected Tuesday, Wednesday | Weather.comAnother round of severe weather is likely Tuesday and Wednesday in the Midwest and South. Here's what to expect. - Articles from The Weather Channel | weather.com
Read more »
San Diego County will finally begin to warm up on WednesdayThe windy storm that arrived on Monday will fade out by Tuesday allowing temperatures to incrementally return to seasonal levels by Thursday.
Read more »