Criminal Justice (Sentencing)

in committee · United States · Senate Dec 15, 2025

S 3483: A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit the consideration of acquitted conduct at sentencing.

This bill (S 3483) prevents federal courts from using conduct for which a defendant was found not guilty (acquitted) as a basis for imposing a harsher sentence. It directly affects federal criminal defendants who were acquitted of specific charges at trial or had charges dismissed after a motion for acquittal. The key change amends sentencing rules to prohibit courts from considering acquitted conduct - defined as acts where the defendant was acquitted or charges were dismissed - except when reducing a sentence. The law applies only to cases where sentencing occurs after the bill becomes law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents courts from using acquitted conduct for harsher sentences, protecting defendant rights and advancing due process in criminal justice reform.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · United States · Senate Dec 9, 2025

S 3394: SAFE Act

Sentencing Accountability For Exploitation Act or the SAFE Act This bill directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review and amend its guidelines and policy statements applicable to federal criminal offenses involving the production, receipt, transport, shipment, or distribution of child sexual abuse material to (1) account for the actual and potential harm from the offense and changes since the last amendments with respect to the typical offense behavior and modern technologies, and (2) better reflect the spectrum of offender culpability.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAmends sentencing guidelines to better reflect harm and modern tech in child exploitation cases, promoting fairer sentencing under criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Sentencing

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in committee · United States · House Sep 30, 2025

HR 5649: Judicial Accountability for Public Safety Act of 2025

HR 5649, the Judicial Accountability for Public Safety Act of 2025, allows individuals injured by a judicial officer's actions to sue for civil damages. It specifically targets cases where a judge intentionally ignored public safety risks or acted with gross negligence during bond or sentencing decisions in criminal cases. Victims must prove their injury with clear and convincing evidence, and courts may award compensatory or punitive damages. This bill removes legal immunity for such judges in these specific circumstances, applying to both federal and state judges handling criminal cases, but does not apply to actions taken in good faith or within normal judicial discretion.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves judicial immunity for gross negligence in criminal sentencing/bond decisions, enhancing accountability within courts as part of criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Judges Sentencing Victims' Rights

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in committee · United States · House Sep 18, 2025

HR 5506: Courtney Wild Reinforcing Crime Victims’ Rights Act

This bill strengthens rights for crime victims in federal cases by requiring the government to inform victims about their rights, including details about plea bargains, agreements, and legal assistance options. It creates a new process for victims to file complaints about rights violations with a Department of Justice Administrative Authority, which must issue decisions within 180 days. The bill also mandates trauma-informed training for DOJ staff, requires the DOJ to report on implementation, and allows victims to seek attorney's fees if they successfully assert their rights. These changes apply to all federal criminal cases where a victim has been directly harmed by an offense.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly strengthens crime victims' rights in federal cases through mandatory notifications, complaint processes, and trauma-informed training, aligning with criminal justice reform to protect victims' civil rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Sentencing Victims' Rights

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in committee · United States · Senate Oct 30, 2025

S 3077: Safer Supervision Act of 2025

Senate Bill 3077, the Safer Supervision Act of 2025, would reform federal supervised release by requiring courts to make individualized assessments about whether to impose supervision and for how long, rather than automatically applying it. The bill establishes a presumption for early termination of supervised release after defendants serve 50% of their term (or 66.6% for certain offenses), provided they've demonstrated good conduct, compliance, and early termination won't jeopardize public safety. It also modifies probation officer compensation to match criminal investigators' pay, expands opportunities for prisoners not sentenced to supervised release to earn early release through time credits, and requires a GAO study on federal post-release supervision and reentry services. These changes aim to reduce probation officer caseloads, encourage rehabilitation, and better align supervision with public safety needs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReforms supervised release with individualized assessments and early termination for good conduct, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to reduce unnecessary supervision and promote rehabilitation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · United States · House Jan 14, 2026

HR 7081: Sara’s Law and the Preventing Unfair Sentencing Act of 2026

This bill modifies federal sentencing for young people under 18 who were previously trafficked, abused, or assaulted before committing violent crimes. It allows judges to sentence below mandatory minimums and suspend parts of a sentence to account for the trauma the offender experienced. The law specifically applies to those convicted of violent offenses after the bill's enactment, provided the court finds clear evidence they were victimized under specific federal trafficking or abuse laws within the prior year. It directly affects minors with documented histories of victimization who commit violent acts, giving judges discretion to consider their trauma during sentencing.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill modifies sentencing for young trafficking/abuse victims, allowing judges to sentence below mandatory minimums and suspend sentences to address trauma. This reduces harsh penalties and aligns with criminal justice reform promoting rehabilitati...95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Juvenile Justice Sentencing

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in committee · United States · Senate May 21, 2025

S 1843: Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2025

S 1843, the Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2025, extends funding for existing federal reentry programs through 2030 instead of 2023. It updates timeframes across multiple programs, including state reentry demonstration projects (adding substance use disorder treatment and housing services), family-based substance abuse grants, prison education evaluations, career training for incarcerated individuals, and community mentoring programs. These programs directly support people returning from incarceration by providing critical services like recovery support, job training, and transitional housing. The bill makes no new policy changes but continues current federal funding mechanisms for reentry assistance.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends funding for reentry programs, adds substance use treatment/housing, and expands career training for incarcerated individuals to reduce recidivism and support rehabilitation.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill extends funding for prison education programs and career training for incarcerated individuals, directly supporting educational access and programs.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAdds substance use disorder treatment to reentry programs, directly expanding healthcare access for returning citizens through federal funding.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAdds housing services to state reentry programs, explicitly funding housing support for returning citizens through extended program funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing Substance Abuse

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in committee · United States · House Aug 19, 2025

HRES 660: Recognizing that the United States has a moral obligation to meet its foundational promise of guaranteed justice for all.

This House Resolution (HRES 660) expresses the House of Representatives' position that the United States has a moral obligation to address the country's mass incarceration crisis. It identifies systemic issues including racial disparities in incarceration (Black people are incarcerated at 5 times the rate of White people), the disproportionate impact on women and LGBTQ+ individuals, and the economic burden of the justice system. The resolution calls for a "large-scale decarceration effort" that includes ending racial disparities, reducing prison populations through sentencing reform, ending cash bail, and investing in community-based safety solutions instead of punitive systems. While not legislation with binding effect, it serves as a statement of principles and framework for potential future policy changes to create a more just and humane justice system.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCalls for decarceration to address racial disparities and systemic issues in mass incarceration, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Corrections Sentencing

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in committee · United States · House Oct 31, 2025

HR 5883: Safer Supervision Act of 2025

The Safer Supervision Act of 2025 reforms federal supervised release by requiring courts to assess each defendant’s individual needs before imposing supervision, rather than automatically applying it. It establishes clear pathways for early termination after defendants serve 50% of their term (or 66.6% for certain drug/firearm offenses), provided they demonstrate good conduct, comply with conditions, and pose no public safety risk. The bill also mandates courts to document their supervision decisions and expands access to legal counsel for defendants seeking early release. These changes aim to reduce caseloads for probation officers, encourage rehabilitation, and improve public safety by tailoring supervision to actual risk.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReforms supervised release via individualized assessments and early termination pathways, reducing unnecessary supervision and promoting rehabilitation - aligns with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · United States · House Dec 4, 2025

HR 6471: Justice in Sentencing for Survivors Act of 2025

This bill, HR 6471 (Justice in Sentencing for Survivors Act of 2025), allows federal judges to impose sentences below mandatory minimums or choose probation for individuals convicted of crimes who are survivors of specific abuses - such as domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or trafficking - provided their trauma contributed to their offense. It applies to current and past federal cases, permitting courts to consider evidence like affidavits documenting trauma history, even if the abuse didn’t cause physical injury or occurred before the crime. The bill defines "victim offender" as someone who experienced qualifying abuse and has no sex offense conviction, while excluding cases involving sex offenses. It also directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to update federal guidelines to include trauma considerations during sentencing.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows judges to sentence below mandatory minimums for trauma survivors, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through victim-centered sentencing.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Sentencing Victims' Rights

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