U.S. Supreme Courtroom
Supreme Courtroom will contemplate whether or not federal courts can scale back sentences primarily based on innocence declare
The U.S. Supreme Courtroom agreed Tuesday to think about whether or not federal judges can contemplate an inmate’s declare of potential innocence when weighing whether or not to grant a decreased sentence beneath the First Step Act. (Picture from Shutterstock)
The U.S. Supreme Courtroom agreed Tuesday to think about whether or not federal judges can contemplate an inmate’s declare of potential innocence when weighing whether or not to grant a decreased sentence beneath the First Step Act.
The Supreme Courtroom mentioned it might determine whether or not components that will justify vacating a conviction can even represent “extraordinary and compelling causes” for lowering a sentence.
SCOTUSblog and Law360 have protection; the cert petition is here.
Federal prisoner Joe Fernandez requested the Supreme Courtroom to listen to his case after the 2nd U.S. Circuit Courtroom of Appeals at New York reversed a choice that decreased his sentence to time served. Fernandez, who’s serving a life sentence for 2 murders that he claims that he by no means dedicated, had sought “compassionate launch” beneath the First Step Act.
The federal decide who granted launch to Fernandez had thought-about his doable innocence primarily based on credibility issues associated to the federal government’s key witness and his far-longer sentence when in comparison with different co-defendants.
The 2nd Circuit mentioned potential innocence is rarely a permissible “extraordinary and compelling purpose” for a decreased sentence, and such claims can solely be introduced in a direct enchantment or habeas proceedings. The appeals courtroom additionally mentioned the sentencing disparity couldn’t be thought-about absent “uncommon circumstances.”
Attorneys for Fernandez argue that the First Step Act provides judges broad discretion to scale back sentences, whereas the government says the 2nd Circuit was appropriate. The federal government additionally notes new coverage by the U.S. Sentencing Fee that claims judges can’t contemplate “asserted invalidity of a conviction or sentence” when granting compassionate launch.
See additionally:
In unusual lineup, SCOTUS rules for pro se prisoner who sought lower sentence under First Step Act
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