#SentencingReform

KPBS San Diego - Racial Disparity in Life Without Parole Charges Growing in San Diego - Felony Murder Elimination Project KPBS, NPR/PBS affiliate in San Diego, conducted an investigative report on how the historical racial disparities in life without parole charges has grown in San Diego County under the current District...

1 month ago

NPR/PBS affiliate in San Diego @kpbssandiego.bsky.social conducted an investigative report on how the historical racial disparities in life without parole charges has grown in San Diego County under the current District Attorney, Summer Stephan.
#DropLWOP
#SentencingReform
bit.ly/4a6vTQA

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Appeals court hears challenge to 24-year consecutive sentence for crimes committed at 14 At oral argument, defense counsel said the trial court abused its discretion by imposing a total 24-year consecutive sentence for offenses committed when the defendant was 14; the state urged affirmance, citing multiple victims, the span of undetected activity and family relationships. The court took the matter under advisement.

2 months ago

An appeals court is deliberating whether a 24-year consecutive sentence for a defendant who was just 14 at the time of his offenses is an excessive punishment based on his juvenile status.

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#TN #JuvenileRights #CriminalJustice #SentencingReform #TennesseeJuvenileJustice

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Delays in Parole Process Change the Meaning of Life Sentences - Felony Murder Elimination Project Delays in the parole process can effectively transform "life with the possibility of parole" into a de facto life sentence without parole.

2 months ago

Nearly half of 200,000 people serving life sentences are parole-eligible, but remain incarcerated due to delays, effectively changing "life with the possibility of parole" into a de-facto life sentence without parole.
#Parolereform
#sentencingreform

bit.ly/4aQRyOO

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Citizen Portal News Massachusetts

@citizenptnewsma.bsky.social

2 months ago

Appeals court weighs juror-bias and sentencing-procedure claims in Vines appeal In the appeal by Bridal Vines (also known as Brian Davis), defense argued counsel failed to disclose juror responses suggesting racial bias and that the defendant was denied an oral opportunity to argue resentencing; the court pressed whether counsel’s decisions were tactical and whether an evidentiary hearing is needed.

A Massachusetts appeals court is grappling with serious allegations of juror bias and procedural missteps that could change the outcome of a high-stakes case.

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#MA #RacialBias #SentencingReform #JudicialFairness #CitizenPortal

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Appellate advocates agree Chris Green should be remanded for resentencing to range 2; court probes broader Erlanger question At oral argument, defense counsel William Gill and state counsel agreed the case should be remanded for resentencing under range 2, while the panel debated whether resolving the Erlanger constitutional question is necessary or would have wide implications for Tennessee sentencing law.

2 months ago

The Tennessee court is deliberating a pivotal constitutional question that could reshape sentencing laws, as both sides agree on remanding Chris Green’s case for resentencing under range 2.

Learn more here!

#TN #ConstitutionalLaw #CriminalJustice #SentencingReform #TennesseeCourts #CitizenPortal

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Citizen Portal News Michigan

@citizenptnewsmi.bsky.social

2 months ago

Michigan Supreme Court hears dispute over whether plea to possession limits OV15 trafficking score in People v. Walker In People v. Walker, defense counsel argued a plea to simple possession and a limited factual basis should prevent scoring five points under OV15 for trafficking; an amicus prosecutor argued the sentencing record (scales, packaging, cash) supports OV15 scoring. The court submitted the case for decision.

The Michigan Supreme Court is set to decide if a simple possession plea can shield a defendant from a trafficking score, raising questions about the limits of plea agreements in sentencing.

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#MI #PleaAgreements #SentencingReform #CitizenPortal

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Terry Rose pleads guilty to 1999 murder; sentencing set after pre-sentence report Terry Rose pleaded guilty to a 1999 murder charge in the 252nd District Court and left punishment to the judge; the court found him competent, ordered a pre-sentence report and scheduled a multi-hour sentencing hearing for Tuesday the 16th.

3 months ago

Terry Rose has finally pleaded guilty to a murder charge dating back to 1999, setting the stage for a pivotal sentencing hearing that could change everything.

Get the details!

#TX #TexasCourts #CriminalJustice #SentencingReform #LegalAccountability #CitizenPortal

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Citizen Portal News Massachusetts

@citizenptnewsma.bsky.social

4 months ago

SJC hears arguments on whether juvenile DYS confinement must count as credit against later adult sentence The Supreme Judicial Court heard competing arguments about whether time a juvenile spent confined in the Department of Youth Services (DYS) must be credited against a suspended adult sentence imposed as part of a combination sentence. Appellant counsel urged the court to apply principles of fundamental fairness and Chapter 119 protections for youth

The Supreme Judicial Court is weighing a landmark decision that could redefine how time served in juvenile detention counts toward adult sentences in Massachusetts.

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#MA #CitizenPortal #SentencingReform #FundamentalFairness #JuvenileJustice

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Appeals panel hears challenge to 8‑year, 100% sentence for Paul Rogers; defense seeks findings on split confinement In State v. Paul Rogers, defense counsel argued the trial court erred by imposing full confinement on an eight‑year sentence without explaining why split confinement or other alternatives were insufficient. The State urged deference, saying the trial court considered statutory factors (criminal history, deterrence, prior unsuccessful alternatives);

4 months ago

A Tennessee appellate panel is debating whether an eight-year sentence for Paul Rogers should include options for split confinement instead of full imprisonment—could this change the fate of his appeal?

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#TN #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #SentencingReform #CriminalJustice

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Docket roundup: 187th District Court issues several sentences, denies a reconsideration motion and continues one sentencing The 187th District Court, presided over by Judge Stephanie Boyd, resolved pleas and imposed sentences in multiple criminal matters, including a 13‑year term in a child‑sexual‑offense case and a 12‑year term in a separate plea. The court denied a motion to reconsider a sentence in a revocation matter and continued sentencing in an animal‑cruelty dkt

4 months ago

Judge Stephanie Boyd sentenced a man to 13 years for a child sexual offense while also tackling multiple cases, including an ongoing animal-cruelty hearing that could change everything.

Click to read more!

#TX #CitizenPortal #SentencingReform #CriminalJustice #TexasCourts #AnimalCruelty

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Appellate counsel says trial court imposed 10-year sentence without required validated risk-and-needs assessment At oral argument in the Mashburn appeal, defense counsel Jonathan Harwell told a three-judge panel that the trial court sentenced Cody Mashburn to a 10-year term without considering a validated risk-and-needs assessment required by Tenn. Code Ann. §40-35-210 and asked the court to remand for a new sentencing hearing. The State acknowledged error in

4 months ago

A Tennessee defense attorney argues that a 10-year sentence was handed down without a crucial risk-and-needs assessment, potentially paving the way for a new hearing.

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#TN #JudicialAccountability #CitizenPortal #SentencingReform #RiskAssessment #TennesseeCourts

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Citizen Portal News Michigan

@citizenptnewsmi.bsky.social

4 months ago

Committee advances package on peace-officer definitions and related sentencing changes The committee adopted an H-1 substitute to House Bill 5079 to add categories of persons to the definition of 'peace officer' and reported the bill; a separate motion reported House Bill 5080 concerning sentencing guidelines. Both measures were adopted/reported by roll call with unanimous committee votes as announced.

Michigan's House Judiciary Committee has unanimously advanced crucial changes redefining 'peace officer' and sentencing guidelines, setting the stage for a significant shift in law enforcement policy.

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#MI #PublicPolicy #CitizenPortal #SentencingReform #LawEnforcement

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ICYMI - Abolish Death by Incarceration Webinar - Felony Murder Elimination Project In September, the Drop LWOP Coalition and Death by Incarceration is Torture Coalition presented the Abolish Death by Incarceration webinar.

4 months ago

ICYMI - In September, the Death by Incarceration is Torture Coalition presented the Abolish Death by Incarceration webinar, updating about international advocacy at the UN to end death-by-incarceration sentences, including LWOP (life without parole).
#DropLWOP
#sentencingreform
bit.ly/49vfR3Z

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MP Ryan Turnbull 🇨🇦🇺🇦

@turnbullwhitby.bsky.social

4 months ago

Anyone who believes they can dodge accountability is about to discover just how strong our justice system truly is.

#BillC14 #BailReform #SentencingReform #WhitbySafety #DurhamRegion

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Drop LWOP Coalition Resentencing Guide - Felony Murder Elimination Project The Drop LWOP Coalition is exited to share the Drop LWOP Coalition Resentencing Guide with our supporters and advocates.

4 months ago

As part of the Drop LWOP Coalition, FMEP is excited to share the Drop LWOP Coalition Resentencing Guide with our supporters. The guide was created in collaboration with people sentenced to LWOP & the UC Berkeley School of Law Criminal Law & Justice Center.
#dropLWOP
#sentencingreform
bit.ly/3W9utyf

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Citizen Portal News US

@citizenptnewsus.bsky.social

5 months ago

U.S. Sentencing Commission revises Statement of Reasons form; changes take effect Nov. 1, 2025 The U.S. Sentencing Commission released guidance on a revised Statement of Reasons form (AO Form 245) that takes effect Nov. 1, 2025, removes most "departures" from the guidelines manual except for Section 5K1.1 substantial-assistance reductions, and explains how courts should document guideline calculations, mandatory minimums, plea agreements, a§

The U.S. Sentencing Commission is shaking things up with a new Statement of Reasons form set to launch in 2025, changing how courts document sentencing decisions!

Click to read more!

#US #CitizenPortal #USSentencing #SentencingReform #JudicialTransparency #LegalDocumentation

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Citizen Portal News North Dakota

@citizenptnewsnd.bsky.social

5 months ago

Court Reviews 81 Year Sentence for Nonviolent Property Crimes in North Dakota Defense argues sentence violates Eighth Amendment due to disproportionate nature of crimes.

The North Dakota Supreme Court is reviewing an astonishing 81-year sentence for nonviolent property crimes, questioning whether it's a case of cruel and unusual punishment.

Get the details!

#ND #CitizenPortal #SentencingReform #CivicAccountability #NorthDakotaCourts

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Abolish Death By Incarceration - Virtual Event - Felony Murder Elimination Project FMEP invites supporters to attend Abolish Death by Incarceration, a virtual panel discussion on Tuesday September 16th at 5pm PT/ 8pm ET

6 months ago

FMEP invites supporters to attend Abolish Death by Incarceration, a virtual panel discussion on Tuesday September 16th at 5pm PT/ 8pm ET
#endLWOP
#dropLWOP
#sentencingreform

details inside
⬇️⬇️⬇️
fmeproject.org/abolish-deat...

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California Supreme Court Rulings Impact Gang-Related Offenses - Felony Murder Elimination Project Two California Supreme Court rulings sided with incarcerated persons contesting past gang-related charges: could affect ‘three strikes’ cases.

6 months ago

Two California Supreme Court rulings sided with incarcerated persons contesting past gang-related charges, a ruling that could affect ‘three strikes’ cases for potential resentencing.
#sentencingreform
#STEPForwardAct
#CaliforniaSupremeCourt

fmeproject.org/california-s...

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Introducing Our New Website! - Felony Murder Elimination Project You may have noticed the updated logo for Felony Murder Elimination Project. Over the last several months, our team has been working with designers to create an updated website. Today, we’d like to fo...

7 months ago

You may have noticed our organization's updated logo.

Today, we'd like to introduce you to the updated website AND web address for the Felony Murder Elimination Project!
#endfelonymurder
#criminaljusticereform
#sentencingreform
#endmassincarceration

fmeproject.org/introducing-...

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Help FMEP with an Impact Study on Felony Murder in California Felony Murder Elimination Project is conducting an Impact Study on California’s felony murder rule, and is seeking more community input in relevant responses

7 months ago

Felony Murder Elimination Project is conducting an Impact Study on California’s felony murder rule, and is seeking more community input in relevant responses, as well as assistance in collecting data for the study.
#endfelonymurder
#sentencingreform

bit.ly/4olBYyH

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Court Sentences Defendant to Five Years for Multiple Felony Convictions Court sentences defendant to five years in prison and imposes $2000 fine for felonies.

7 months ago

A Texas court has sentenced a defendant to five years in prison for multiple felony convictions, warning that future offenses could lead to even harsher penalties.

Get the details!

#TX #CitizenPortal #SentencingReform #CriminalJustice #TexasCourts #LegalAccountability

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