Sentencing/Post Conviction

Judge Sentences Priest to Say Psalms

Echoing a sentence famously given to a world-renowned scientist by the Catholic Church in a heresy case centuries ago, a Chilean judge has ordered a priest who says he can’t afford either to park his car legally or to pay a $100 parking fine to say seven psalms daily for…

Dec 12, 2007 11:14 PM CST

Tribal Courts a Tough Gig for Judges

Underfunded and something of an afterthought in the nation’s legal scheme, tribal courts present special challenges for the judges who oversee them. Judge Joseph Thomas Flies-Away, for instance, sounded much like a social worker as he talked informally during a recent court session with a defendant who was not represented…

Dec 12, 2007 8:26 PM CST

Bush Pardons 29, But Not Libby

President Bush issued 29 pardons today, but I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby wasn’t among them. Among those pardoned were convicted thieves, drug dealers and a moonshiner, the Associated Press reports. Since taking office, Bush has issued 142 pardons and commuted five sentences. In July, Bush commuted Libby’s 30-month sentence for lying…

Dec 12, 2007 6:59 PM CST

Best Place to Face Feds: Seattle

For those who face federal prosecution in Seattle, there’s one bit of good news. Even if they lose the case, there may not be a better place in the country to face sentencing. Federal judges in the Western District of Washington hand out more lenient sentences than called for by…

Dec 12, 2007 5:26 PM CST

Commission OKs Retroactive Reduced Crack Sentences

The U.S. Sentencing Commission voted yesterday to make retroactive its decision to reduce sentencing guidelines for crack offenders. The commission estimates that 19,500 inmates will be eligible to petition for reduced sentences because of its move, the Washington Post reports. On average, eligible prisoners may see their sentences reduced by…

Dec 12, 2007 11:21 AM CST

Ex-Hollinger GC Gets Probation

Lost in the news accounts of sentencing yesterday for Conrad Black, the ex-CEO of Hollinger International, was the sentence for the company’s former general counsel. Mark Kipnis, convicted of fraud for helping arrange illegal payments to Black and two co-defendants, received five years’ probation, the Wall Street Journal Law Blog…

Dec 11, 2007 7:18 PM CST

Reyes Should Get No More than 21 Months for Backdating, Judge Says

A federal judge has recommended a sentence of 15 to 21 months in prison for former Brocade Communications CEO Gregory Reyes, convicted of fraud for stock options backdating. The recommendation was in an opinion by U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer that was unsealed last week, Financial Times reports. Federal prosecutors…

Dec 11, 2007 2:00 PM CST

Regional Sentencing Differences Could Accelerate

The U.S. Supreme Court’s two decisions yesterday giving federal trial judges more sentencing discretion could accelerate regional variations in sentencing. The pair of decisions “restored federal judges to their traditional central role in criminal sentencing,” the New York Times reports. That could mean sentences will vary more by judge and…

Dec 11, 2007 11:36 AM CST

Conrad Black Sentenced to 6.5 Years in Prison

Updated: A Chicago federal judge has sentenced media mogul Conrad Black to 6.5 years in prison for embezzling money from Hollinger International, according to the National Post live blog of the sentencing hearing. U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve also fined Black $125,000. He had faced a sentence of up…

Dec 10, 2007 7:07 PM CST

‘Scooter’ Libby Drops Obstruction Appeal

Former top vice presidential aide I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby has dropped his appeal of his conviction earlier this year in the CIA leak case. Libby, who was convicted in March of lying and obstructing an investigation into the leaked identity of CIA officer Valerie Plame, can no longer afford to…

Dec 10, 2007 4:42 PM CST

Michael Vick Gets 23-Month Sentence for Dogfighting Conspiracy

Updated: NFL superstar Michael Vick has been sentenced to 23 months in prison for his federal guilty plea to conspiracy in connection with a dogfighting operation. The Atlanta Falcons quarterback had faced a maximum of five years in prison, CNN.com reports in an article on today’s sentence. Vick and three…

Dec 10, 2007 4:18 PM CST

U.S. Supreme Court Eases Way for Sentencing Departures

Updated: Judges may conclude that federal sentencing guidelines for crack cocaine are too harsh given the disparity with recommended sentences for powder cocaine, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled today. The 7-2 ruling rejects a lower court view that the sentencing guidelines for cocaine are in effect mandatory, SCOTUSblog reports. The…

Dec 10, 2007 3:24 PM CST

48-Day Jail Term for Kiefer Sutherland

Actor Kiefer Sutherland was sentenced today to a 48-day jail term after pleading no contest to a drunken-driving charge. He must begin serving the sentence before March 30, reports the Associated Press. However, the star of the popular 24 Fox television series apparently plans to serve at least some of…

Dec 6, 2007 1:46 AM CST

Jurists Defend Mass. Judge in Murder Case

There is a growing groundswell of support by colleagues for a Massachusetts judge who has become a target for national election-year political criticism after agreeing to release a convicted killer who allegedly then murdered two newlyweds in Washington state. Although the anguish of survivors of the two claimed victims of…

Dec 5, 2007 10:06 PM CST

U.K. Lawyer at Heart of Heroin Ring

A corrupt lawyer at the heart of a multimillion-dollar British heroin ring reportedly is headed to jail for his role in orchestrating bogus alibis and fraudulent evidence to help associates avoid criminal conviction. Solicitor Naveen Sagar, 32, will be jailed today, after pleading guilty to burglary, fraud, contempt of court…

Dec 5, 2007 9:21 PM CST