Will a Second Step Act Follow the First Step?
The question still remains if there is going to be a second step act . The First Step Act, arguably the most significant criminal justice reform bill passed in nearly ten years, was drafted in a rare showing of bipartisanship. Will there be a second Step act ? It is expected to reduce the sentences…
Read MoreIt’s Time to Fix the Federal Clemency Process
When Congress changed the law during the Obama Administration to reduce the disparity between crack and powder cocaine, it was not made retroactive. Obama used his power of clemency. To commute the sentences of thousands of people who would have received relief if the change had applied to them. But he didn’t help all of…
Read MoreX Tennessee Governor Grants Clemency to 11 Current and Former Felons
Bill Haslam Clemency Update : Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam ordered four sentence commutations for state prisoners and pardons for seven non-incarcerated individuals in the last two weeks of 2018. Whom did Bill haslam granted clemency ? In a news release, Haslam said the seven who were given pardons, listed below, “have made positive contributions to…
Read MoreTrump Doj news : Reformers to Trump – “Take the Federal Clemency Process Out of DOJ’s Hands”
Trump Doj news update : When President Trump signed the First Step Act into law at the end of last year. Its bipartisan congressional support demonstrated widespread recognition that the criminal justice system is due for reform. Recognizing that the Act is limited in scope, primarily addressing sentencing for a select few offenders, a diverse…
Read MoreThe Presidential Pardon Power – What is a presidential pardon ?
Presidential Pardon Power comes from the constitution. The president may reduce a prisoner’s sentence or pardon him for any federal crimes. Some presidents use this power to help rectify injustices from outdated mandatory minimum sentence laws. It often results in faster results than waiting for Congress to change laws. The Presidential pardon power is an…
Read MoreTrump Manafort pardon may lead possible outrage
Trump manafort pardon – Is it really going to happen ?While Paul Manafort, waited to be sentenced in federal court , New York politicians and prosecutors worried that president might simply issue him a trump pardon, thereby cancelling any prison time for his crimes.This trump manafort pardon is causing a invoked outrage. To avoid this…
Read MoreUnderstanding Executive Clemency Powers Through Presidential Pardon Limits
Executive clemency powers garnered increased media attention lately. President Donald Trump pardoned several convicts so far to rectify perceived injustices in their convictions or sentences. The Presidential Pardon Limits as a Check on the Criminal Justice System In addition, some analysts speculate that he could expand Presidential Pardon Limits. For instance, allegations of illegal campaign…
Read MoreNY Gov. cuomo pardons 29 individuals with Consideration for Immigration Status
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo pardons to 29 people on the last day of last year, Dec. 31, 2018. Of the 22 pardons from that group, several were issued with the express purpose of protecting the recipients from being targeted for deportation. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo Pardons Statement In a statement announcing the pardons, andrew…
Read MoreTennessee Gov. Grants 23 Clemency Requests on Last Day in Office
Tennessee pardon : On his last day in office, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam granted executive clemency (Tennessee pardon) to 23 people. The essential purpose, Haslam said in a written statement, was to better allow people with convictions to have another chance to become contributing members of society. Tennessee Pardon : Gov. Haslam’s Position Tennessee Clemency…
Read MoreColorado Gov. Squeezes 33 More Clemencies on Last Day in Office
Colorado pardons : Only a week after Colorado’s Governor John Hickenlooper granted clemency for six Colorado offenders, he ordered clemency for 33 others. This brings his total to 156 pardons and 18 commutations during his eight years in office. Timing of Colorado Pardons & Clemency Grants Colorado Pardons & Clemencies are often issued in December,…
Read More