There is an oral argument about to take place the week after Thanksgiving in the United States Supreme Court which will have a tremendous impact upon the push to shorten sentences for those currently incarcerated within the Federal Bureau of Prisons. No, I'm not talking about President Obama's last two months in office, and the commutations (sentence reductions) he has been granting. Instead, I am referring to Beckles v. United States, Case No. 15-8544, which was accepted for review by the Justices from the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. At issue in Beckles is whether an ambiguity found by the Supreme Court in another case - Johnson v. United States, 559 U.S. --- (2010), a case holding that the phrase "violent felony" in certain criminal statutes is ambiguous, thus reversing many convictions - applies also to the United States Sentencing Guidelines' phrase "crime of violence," retroactively such that many inmates currently confined are entitled to re-sentencings, and thus, shorter sentences.
A win for Mr. Beckles will not result in a tidal wave of prisoners flowing out of the Bureau of Prisons, but it will result in sentence reductions for many who have served lengthy sentences, and as such, the case can ease the burden on an otherwise-already-overcrowded prison system.
Many people have been contacting my office to inquire about the possibility of seeking post-conviction sentence reductions for family members, loved ones and friends who might benefit from Beckles (if the Supreme Court grants "retroactivity" to Johnson). I am watching the case closely, and I am ready to swing into action if and when the Supreme Court rules in favor of retroactivity, and leniency.
If you have a family member or friend who is facing charges, or if you are a lawyer seeking assistance with an appeal or post-conviction matter, please call this office immediately. There are always time deadlines limiting when these claims can be raised. If you wish to learn more about the process, call now.
Jonathan Laurans wants you to be educated as to what you may be facing. If you or a loved one has been convicted of a crime in Missouri, Kansas or Texas, or in any federal court, contact him immediately. Visit his website at www.kansascitymoattorney.com and then call him at (816) 421-5200 for a FREE initial legal consultation.
