Feb 23, 2026
Congress intended most first-time non-violent offenders receive a non-custodial sentence. That's how federal law worked before the guidelines. But, the guidelines did not fulfill that promise because the majority of those sentenced, end up having to serve time in the crumbling, overcrowded Bureau of Prisons. All that may be about to change, with revolutionary new proposals the Commission is considering.
Take a listen, and then make your voice heard by lodging your comment on the USSG website:
https://www.ussc.gov/policymaking/public-comment/public-comment-2026-proposed-amendments
IN THIS EPISODE:
- Trump Tarriff case and it’s implications in the criminal world;
- The major questions doctrine;
- Proposed complete restructuring of sentencing guidelines table;
- Proposed post-offense rehabilitation reductions
LINKS:
Visit the SET FOR SENTENCING SHOWNOTES FOR THE FOLLOWING LINKS:
-prior recent podcast on other guideline amendment
-3 R'S of Sentencing Narrative Article
-New Law 360 Article by Doug Passon and Mark Allenbaugh on Guideline changes