United States Sentencing Commission to Hold a Hearing on 2017 Amendments

On March 14, 2018, the United States Sentencing Commission, the federal agency charged with writing and amending the United States Sentencing Guidelines, will hold a hearing on several very significant amendments to the Guidelines. Of note, the Commission will consider an amendment that could provide a significant benefit to first time federal offenders by providing a 1 or 2 point reduction in their guideline level. A public hearing will be held on March 14, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. (ET). This hearing will be streamed live. Commissioners will receive testimony on proposed amendments related to Synthetic Drugs and First Offenders/Alternatives to Incarceration. What is not certain at this juncture is whether these amendments, if adopted, will be applied retroactively to federal inmates already sentenced. Of course, if you have any questions or may need or assistance, please contact National Prison & Sentencing Consultants at [email protected] or at 615-696-6153.