The US Sentencing Commission today released on its website this Federal Register notice of its possible policy priorities for the guideline amendment cycle ending May 1, 2026. The USSC has requested public comment on these priorities by July 18, 2025.
Criminal
Another week with a notable number of executions scheduled in the US
This new CNN article, headlined “4 executions are scheduled in 4 states over four days this week. Here’s what we know,” highlights both upcoming executions and broader capital punishment trendis in the United States this year. Here are excerpts:…
Pondering Eighth Amendment issues around new capital child rape statutes at <em>Sentencing Matters Substack</em>
I have not highlighted posts from the Sentencing Matters Substack in a little while in part because I am waiting for my co-substacker to wrap up a five-part series(!) on the US Sentencing Commission’s latest guideline amendments (part four was…
Dying without a Will: Risks and Remedies
What is the Necessity of a Will?
A will is a legal document that contains instructions regarding the disposal of assets, after a person’s death (“Will”). It generally contains details of the property, location, future ownership of assets etc.
Most…
Will The Fuse Be Lit?
Like anyone else trying to watch Eva Longoria’s new CNN show about food in Spain, I saw the images of cars burning, scooters being thrown onto police cars on the road below, street signed torn out, graffiti painted and flags…
New <em>Federal Sentencing Reporter</em> issue explores "Sentencing 'Boat Defendants'”
I am pleased and thrilled to report on the publication of the latest issue of the Federal Sentencing Reporter titled “Sentencing ‘Boat Defendants.’” This issue is anchored by a fascinating article describing sentencing data surrounding a fascinating set…
CCJ produces new report, "When Crime Statistics Diverge"
The Council on Criminal Justice has produced this helpful report to enhance understand of accoutnings of crime data under the title, “When Crime Statistics Diverge: Understanding the Two Major Sources of Crime Data in the U.S.” The report is authoed…
Pretrial Release: The Illusion of Algorithmic Neutrality
Fresno Criminal Lawyer – Criminal Defense Lawyer Rick Horowitz
“Pretrial Release: The Illusion of Algorithmic Neutrality” is the first installment in a series I’m calling Detained by Design: Algorithmic Justice and the Erosion of Constitutional Bail in…
The Decision That Murdered Privacy
In a decision so cursory as to be flip, six members of the Supreme Court gave the most private, and beforehand the most confidential, of government information away. They didn’t even sell it for a decent price. They just gave…
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Rules Prior ARD Cannot Be Used to Enhance DUI Sentences
Commonwealth v. Shifflett
Zak T. Goldstein, Esquire – Criminal Defense Attorney
In a significant decision for Pennsylvania DUI law, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled on May 30, 2025, that using a defendant’s prior acceptance of the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD)…