The First Step Act Dramatically Changed Federal Sentencing
The Federal First Step Act
“This landmark legislation will give countless current and former prisoners a second chance at life and a new opportunity to contribute to their communities, their states, and their nations”
What is the First Step Act?
Signed into law in 2018 with bipartisan approval, the First Step Act changed many aspects of federal criminal sentencing. Although the First Step Act encompassed many different things, the most important to a federal criminal defendant was the changes to mandatory minimums, earned time credit, and enhancements.
The First Step Act Completely Changes How to Look at Federal Sentencing
The First Step Act is so important to practicing federal criminal law that if your lawyer does not mention it or understand it, then you probably want to get a new lawyer. The First Step Act must be contemplated in any case where there is a federal sentencing because under the Act, a federal inmate can accrue more good time if placed into certain programs. However, there are limitations to this and that is why you need to know those before you plead guilty to a federal charge.
We Understand the First Step Act
We are federal criminal lawyers who understand how the First Step Act works, what laws it changed, and how federal criminal case strategy changes because of the First Step Act. If you are not talking about the First Step Act and you are going through a federal case, it is imperative that you ask your lawyer about it and how you are affected by it. Asking that question may save you years in federal prison. If you have these kinds of questions, call us and we’ll help you understand where you stand in relation to the First Step Act.
Jim Amberg’s closing argument in the Bounty Hunter Bloods RICO trial