Seismic Shift: Big Changes to the Sentencing Guidelines & the Country

Although we often complain about the sentencing guidelines, this week, I find myself thankful that we still live in a country that has courts and due process, in the federal criminal courts.  At least for now. So today, we celebrate the death of guideline departures, lament the death of due process in immigration, and worry…

Read More

Reign of Terror: Tesla, Luigi Mangione, & Beyond

I’m back. I’ve been in hibernation for the last couple of months, basically paralyzed by what can only be described as a rapid descent into authoritarian hell.  In his seminal work, “On Tyranny”, Timothy Snyder warns:  “Listen for dangerous words. Be alert to the use of the words extremism and terrorism. Be alive to the fatal…

Read More

2024 United States Sentencing Guideline Amendments: A Front Row Seat to the Kabuki Theatre

On November 1, several amendments to the United States Sentencing Guidelines took effect. Some of these changes are significant, offering advantages to the defense, while others are less beneficial. However, ultimately, this process amounts to nothing more than “Kabuki Theatre,” meaning the tortured guideline applications become merely performative, because 18 U.S.C. § 3553, enables discerning…

Read More

BOP Programming With Dr. Alix McLearen

We’ve spent a lot of time running down the BOP, and not without good cause, BUT we don’t give as much attention as we should to the positive things happening inside those walls.  Lawyers need to learn about and advocate for beneficial programming placements for clients, especially those with special needs. Therefore, helping us get set…

Read More

The Why of the Where: Mitigation Geo-Narratives with Dr. Julie Urbanik

Where we are born, how many times we were forced to relocate, and the kinds of things happening, or not happening, in our communities, our schools and other institutions in those locations are all important to give context to a client’s life and choices. But how do we tell those stories at sentencing? Thankfully, there’s…

Read More

Pre-Sentence Reports

The pre-sentence report is arguably the most crucial sentencing document. Not only does it serve as a vital tool for judges during sentencing, but it also acts as the “bible” that the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) relies on to make critical decisions about our clients. Unfortunately, many lawyers struggle to properly prepare their clients or…

Read More

The Artificial Lawyer: A Debate About the Usefulness of A/I in the Legal Arena

Artificial intelligence is here and it’s getting more sophisticated and more ubiquitous every day.  Indeed, the legal community seems to be largely embracing A/I with open arms.  But the jury is still out whether this somewhat terrifying new technology is going to be our savior or our destroyer.  Therefore, helping us get set for sentencing this…

Read More

Life in the Shadow of Death, With Cyndy Short

Cyndy Short has been representing those accused of the worst crimes imaginable for most of her career – and she has NEVER had a client sentenced to death on her watch.  She understands that sometimes what makes a lawyer great isn’t their legal abilities, but their human abilities.  In other words, it’s time for lawyers to…

Read More