Sentencing/Post Conviction

Mandatory Sentence Laws Harsh, Unfair, Federal Judge Tells Congress

Federal laws requiring federal judges to impose mandatory minimum sentences can be unfair and unduly harsh, and certain individual laws are especially objectionable, the chair of the Judicial Conference Committee on Criminal Law told a Congressional subcommittee today. “I have found the application of one particularly egregious mandatory minimum sentencing…

Jun 26, 2007 8:18 PM CDT

Strangers Offer $1 M Bond to GA Teen

Eleven entrepreneurs have offered to pay a $1 million cash bond to free a Georgia teen who has been serving a 10-year sentence in a controversial child sex case. Due to a sentencing quirk, Genarlow Wilson received this term after being convicted of the felony of aggravated child molestation for…

Jun 26, 2007 6:05 PM CDT

Crime to Pay for Paris Hilton? Hotel Heiress Offered $1 M for Interview

At least for the moment, it looks like crime may not pay for Paris Hilton. Reportedly offered between $750,000 and $1 million for her first post-incarceration interview after she is released from jail next week, the hotel heiress known for her party girl lifestyle has apparently managed to botch the…

Jun 22, 2007 9:53 PM CDT

Sentencing Guidelines ‘Here to Stay’

A decision by the U.S. Supreme Court yesterday reinforces the impact of sentencing guidelines, deemed to be advisory in an opinion two years ago. The court held that appeals courts reviewing sentences imposed within the guidelines range may presume the penalty is reasonable. Rita v. United States, No. 06–5754 (PDF).…

Jun 22, 2007 12:29 PM CDT

Court Supports Guidelines Sentences

Appeals courts may presume that a sentence within federal guidelines is reasonable, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled. Such a presumption does not violate the Sixth Amendment right to a jury trial, said the main opinion by Justice Stephen G. Breyer. However, Breyer said the presumption is not binding, SCOTUSblog…

Jun 21, 2007 4:18 PM CDT

No Apology by Convicted Fashion Writer

A former fashion writer has been sentenced to a minimum of 18 years in prison for raping a colleague. Peter Braunstein made his first public statement about the crime before he was sentenced. He said the crime was motivated by “irrationality” and mentioned severe depression, the New York Times reports.…

Jun 19, 2007 2:50 PM CDT

White Lawyer Takes Misdemeanor Plea; Black Youth Faces 20-Year Prison Term

Their crimes, arguably, are quite similar. Both were accused of shooting at another person. Both say they didn’t. And, fortunately, nobody was seriously injured in either case. But the resulting punishment faced by two Florida men is quite different. A well-connected white former prosecutor has taken a misdemeanor plea, which…

Jun 19, 2007 2:31 AM CDT

Ex-Enron Executive Sentenced

The former CEO of Enron’s broadband unit was sentenced today to 27 months in prison for misleading investors. Kenneth Rice will also pay a $50,000 fine and forfeit more than $13 million in cash and property, the Houston Chronicle reports. He was accused of lying about the capabilities of the…

Jun 18, 2007 8:39 PM CDT

Activist Backs Plea in Teen-Sex Case

The attorney for a youth sentenced to 10 years in prison for consensual teen sex is battling with a community activist over defense tactics. The Rev. Markel Hutchins told reporters that attorneys for Genarlow Wilson should consider a plea deal, according to the Atlanta-Journal Constitution. But Wilson’s lead lawyer, B.J.…

Jun 17, 2007 11:14 PM CDT

Defendant Freed With Help of Ex-Wife

The ex-wife of a convicted murderer worked for 15 years to overturn his conviction, saying she took action because she knew he was innocent. The Wall Street Journal (sub. req.) chronicles Ana Ortega’s battle to win her husband’s release. He was convicted for the New York crime, she said, even…

Jun 15, 2007 5:56 PM CDT

Georgia Supremes Accept Teen-Sex Case

The Georgia Supreme Court has agreed to hear prosecutors’ appeal of a tossed sentence in a teen-sex case. On June 11, a state judge overturned a 10-year sentence for Genarlow Wilson, convicted for having consensual sex with a 15-year-old girl when he was 17. The court will hear the case…

Jun 15, 2007 3:28 PM CDT

Judge Refuses Stay of Libby Sentence

A federal judge says he will not delay a prison sentence for former White House aide I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby while he appeals his conviction for lying to investigators. U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton made the ruling today after revealing he had received threatening letters and calls following his…

Jun 14, 2007 8:07 PM CDT

No Girlfriend Allowed, Defendant Told

A Canadian judge has ordered a 24-year-old man to stay away from intimate relationships for the next three years. Justice Rhys Morgan said he issued the order to protect the public until the defendant gets counseling for a dependent personality disorder, Associated Press reports. Morgan sentenced Cranley to the 146…

Jun 14, 2007 7:35 PM CDT

Libby Judge Threatened

A federal judge says he received threats of harm after sentencing former White House aide I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby to 30 months in prison. U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton disclosed the threats as he began a hearing today into whether Libby may remain free pending appeal, the Associated Press…

Jun 14, 2007 7:20 PM CDT

Paris Hilton Out of Medical Ward

Paris Hilton has been released from the medical ward at the Los Angeles County jail. Hilton was released from the treatment center around 11 p.m. yesterday, Associated Press reports. A judge who disagreed with Hilton’s home detention sent her to the treatment center for evaluation on Friday. Critics claimed Hilton…

Jun 14, 2007 2:06 PM CDT