Sentencing Reform: Lower Penalties for Crime Survivors of Abuse and Trafficking.
This law grants federal judges the authority to impose sentences below mandatory minimums for individuals whose criminal behavior was significantly influenced by their history as survivors of severe abuse, stalking, or human trafficking. This change allows courts to consider trauma when sentencing, potentially leading to shorter prison terms or alternative punishments like probation or community confinement. The rules apply to future cases and allow for the review of past sentences for non-sex offenders.
Key points
Judges gain flexibility to sentence below statutory minimums if the crime was significantly linked to the offender's experience as a survivor of abuse or trafficking.
Courts can impose alternative sentences, such as probation or community confinement, instead of incarceration.
The law applies to non-sex offenders, and the trauma does not need to have occurred at the time of the offense to be considered.
Individuals currently serving federal sentences may petition the court for resentencing under these new provisions.
Introduced
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