I was pleased to see today this press release from Americans for Prosperity noting that the US Senate Judiciary Committee has a meeting scheduled on Thursday which includes plans "to mark up three key bills: the First Step Implementation Act, the COVID-19 Safer Detention Act, and the Prohibiting Punishment of Acquitted Conduct Act." Here is how the press release describes these bills:
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First Step Implementation Act — will allow certain sentencing reforms passed in the First Step Act to be applied retroactively, provide judges with additional discretion to apply the appropriate punishment in criminal cases, and provides for the sealing and expungement of nonviolent crimes individuals committed as a minor, among other things.
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COVID-19 Safer Detention Act — will require individualized determination of suitability for compassionate release or transfer to home detention. This is particularly important for persons who are especially vulnerable due to age or medical condition
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Prohibiting Punishment of Acquitted Conduct Act — will eliminate the ability for federal judges to enhance sentences for conduct which a defendant has previously been acquitted by a jury during trial.
I have blogged about all these bills in these prior posts:
Senators Durbin and Grassley introduce new "First Step Implementation Act"
Senators Durbin and Grassley re-introduce "COVID-19 Safer Detention Act"
Senators Durbin and Grassley re-introduce "Prohibiting Punishment of Acquitted Conduct Act"
It is exciting to all three of these bill poised to move forward in the legislation process. None alone would be a massive reform, but all together would be a significant advance in federal criminal justice reform.
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