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In a tense meeting, Minnesota's commission debated crucial changes to the Hernandez method that could reshape sentencing and address disparities—what did they decide?

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#MN #CitizenPortal #PublicInput #CriminalJustice #MinnesotaCommission #SentencingReform
Commission moves two Hernandez/harmonizing proposals to public hearing after prolonged debate
After extensive discussion about sentencing disparities produced by the Hernandez (harmonizing) method, the commission voted to (1) add a mitigating departure factor to the public‑hearing packet and (2) advance a narrowed single‑behavior incident exception (option two) for public comment. The agenda was amended to permit action; votes were 9–3 for the single‑behavior option.
citizenportal.ai
November 9, 2026 at 7:43 PM
easterneye.bsky.social
Henry Nowak’s killer’s minimum jail term increased to 25 years

#HenryNowak #JusticeForHenry #SentencingReform #CriminalJustice #LegalNews

www.easterneye.biz/henry-nowaks...
Henry Nowak’s killer’s minimum jail term increased to 25 years
Court of Appeal rules Vickrum Digwa’s original sentence was unduly lenient, citing his use of a large Sikh ceremonial dagger, false claims of racism and the treatment of the dying student
www.easterneye.biz
November 5, 2026 at 5:46 PM
citizenptnewswa.bsky.social
The Department of Corrections argues that a juvenile's age should exempt them from severe sentencing, questioning whether past offenses committed before turning 16 should even count.

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#WA #CitizenPortal #LegislativeIntent #SentencingReform #JuvenileJustice
DOC tells court juvenile age exclusion removes McBride's prior offense as predicate for enhanced sentence
The Department of Corrections argued the legislature intended age‑based exclusions to remove certain juvenile convictions from lists of qualifying offenses, meaning McBride’s convictions at age 14 should not count toward RCW 9.94A.507 eligibility; counsel warned that a contrary reading yields absurd results.
citizenportal.ai
October 31, 2026 at 12:34 AM
citizenptnewswa.bsky.social
The Washington Court of Appeals is grappling with whether Brian Pantoja's youth was overlooked in his second-degree murder sentencing—could this change the way young defendants are treated?

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#WA #CitizenPortal #YouthJustice #SentencingReform #CivicAccountability
Appeals court hears argument that Pantoja's youth was discounted at sentencing
At an oral argument in the Washington Court of Appeals, defense counsel argued the trial court failed to 'independently and meaningfully' weigh Brian Pantoja's youth when imposing a standard-range sentence for second-degree murder; the state said the record shows individualized consideration. The panel took the case under advisement.
citizenportal.ai
October 31, 2026 at 12:30 PM
citizenptnewswa.bsky.social
The King County Prosecuting Attorney argues that juvenile convictions should count as serious offenses in sentencing, igniting a fierce debate in court about the interpretation of the law.

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#WA #CitizenPortal #StatutoryInterpretation #JudicialReview #SentencingReform
State urges plain‑text reading, tells court to affirm McBride’s indeterminate sentence
King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office argued the statute's plain language and context require affirming McBride's indeterminate sentence; the bench questioned whether cross‑references to subsections must be read together or treated as inactive in particular sentencing contexts.
citizenportal.ai
October 31, 2026 at 12:35 AM
citizenptnewsme.bsky.social
Dr. Peter Lehman reveals shocking truths about parole policy, challenging long-held beliefs and urging a fresh perspective on sentencing reforms.

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#ME #CitizenPortal #MaineParole #CriminalJustice #SentencingReform #EmpiricalEvidence
Researcher: historical evidence shows reinstating parole didn’t produce expected sentencing shifts
Dr. Peter Lehman told the parole study commission that historical reforms produced surprising results and that parole provides later continuity to address sentencing gaps; commissioners questioned whether judges would change behavior if parole returned.
citizenportal.ai
October 30, 2026 at 9:02 AM
micemi.bsky.social
People can change. Restore hope. Watch and share.
@droplwopnewengland.bsky.social

#NationalLWOPAwarenessDay #DropLWOP #LWOPAwarenessDay #October24 #DeathByIncarceration #SecondLook #EndLWOP #SentencingReform
October 24, 2026 at 5:03 PM
micemi.bsky.social
LWOP means life without parole. Change should count.
@droplwopnewengland.bsky.social
#NationalLWOPAwarenessDay #DropLWOP #LWOPAwarenessDay #October24 #DeathByIncarceration #SecondLook #EndLWOP #SentencingReform
October 24, 2026 at 4:02 PM
micemi.bsky.social
Permanently extinguishing hope is not justice. Join us October 24. @droplwopnewengland.bsky.social

#NationalLWOPAwarenessDay #DropLWOP #LWOPAwarenessDay #October24 #DeathByIncarceration #SecondLook #EndLWOP #SentencingReform
October 22, 2026 at 4:02 PM
citizenptnewstn.bsky.social
In a surprising twist, both the State and defense have united in calling for a remand to correct the sentencing range in the high-profile White case.

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#TN #CitizenPortal #TennesseeCourts #CriminalJustice #SentencingReform #LegalAccountability
State and defense agree remand needed to correct sentencing range in White case
Both defense and the State told the appellate panel that the sentencing entry must be remanded for imposition of the correct statutory range; the court agreed to take the case under advisement and will issue an opinion addressing the sentencing entry and related issues.
citizenportal.ai
October 22, 2026 at 5:03 PM
citizenptnewswa.bsky.social
The Washington Supreme Court is grappling with a pivotal case that could redefine the jury's role in sentencing, igniting debates over constitutional rights and legislative power.

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#WA #CitizenPortal #CriminalJustice #SentencingReform #ConstitutionalLaw
Washington Supreme Court hears arguments in State v. Zirhomenat over jury role in 'same criminal conduct' sentencing
The court considered whether determinations that two current offenses constitute the same criminal conduct under the Sentencing Reform Act must be submitted to a jury under the Sixth Amendment. Defense counsel urged the court to overrule Markle and apply Apprendi/Erlanger; the state defended Markle and the SRA framework.
citizenportal.ai
October 21, 2026 at 7:38 AM
micemi.bsky.social
This Saturday: inaugural National LWOP Awareness Day. Watch, share, and join @droplwopnewengland.bsky.social

#NationalLWOPAwarenessDay #DropLWOP #LWOPAwarenessDay #October24 #DeathByIncarceration #SecondLook #EndLWOP #SentencingReform
October 19, 2026 at 5:05 PM
endfelonymurder.bsky.social
Last week, a judicial decision in Florida overturned the felony murder conviction of Rhonda Jewell for a tragic, accidental death that resulted in a 17-year sentence.
#EndFelonyMurder
#SentencingReform
fmeproject.org/judicial-dec...
Important Judicial Decision in Florida Overturns Felony Murder Conviction - Felony Murder Elimination Project
Last week, a judicial decision in Florida overturned the felony murder conviction of Rhonda Jewell for a tragic, accidental death that resulted in a 17-year sentence.
fmeproject.org
October 13, 2026 at 9:16 PM
citizenptnewsny.bsky.social
Algorithmic risk-assessment tools in court are yielding dangerously inconsistent scores, raising serious questions about bias and fairness in sentencing.

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#CanandaiguaOntarioCounty #NY #CitizenPortal #AlgorithmicBias #JudicialTransparency #CanandaiguaJustice #SentencingReform
Presenter warns judicial risk tools can reproduce unfair outcomes
Gadeau showed examples of risk-assessment tools giving different 'risk' scores to people with unequal prior records, citing two cases discussed in his slides to illustrate potential harms in sentencing and pretrial decisions.
citizenportal.ai
October 7, 2026 at 1:51 AM
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The commission's power to alter life sentences after the Lee decision is in serious doubt, raising questions about the future of justice for over 1,100 inmates.

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#PA #CitizenPortal #LegislativeAccountability #CriminalJustice #SentencingReform #PennsylvaniaCommission
Staff: commission likely lacks authority to alter sentences retroactively after Lee; role for guidelines limited to future cases
Staff told the committee that the Lee decision is not retroactive and that the commission likely lacks authority over individuals already sentenced to life without parole; staff recommended focusing on guidelines for future cases and monitoring pending legislation that could explicitly grant authority.
citizenportal.ai
October 6, 2026 at 10:01 PM
citizenptnewstx.bsky.social
In a pivotal court session, significant outcomes unfolded, including dismissals, trial settings, and multiple guilty pleas that could reshape lives and legal futures.

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#TX #CitizenPortal #LegalProcedure #TexasCourts #CriminalJustice #SentencingReform
Docket roundup: dismissals, plea relegations, withdrawals and sentencing across multiple cases
The court handled a long docket: dismissals (Ciprian Abadanute), counsel withdrawals (Michael Martin), trial settings (Jetson Bell, multiple theft cases), guilty pleas with sentences (Wisenant, Parkerson reset for presentence), probation dispositions and bond modifications (Watkins). Several defendants were sentenced or had pleas accepted; others were reset or granted counsel.
citizenportal.ai
October 3, 2026 at 9:55 PM
citizenptnewspa.bsky.social
A contentious new bill clarifying probation violation sentencing is stirring debate in Pennsylvania, with significant implications for judicial discretion on the horizon.

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#PA #CitizenPortal #PennsylvaniaProbation #SentencingReform #JudicialDiscretion
Committee backs bill clarifying when technical probation violations trigger graduated sentencing
HB 2744 clarifies that Act 44's graduated sentencing for technical probation violations is tied to the number of violation hearings, not the number of alleged violations in a single hearing; Republicans expressed concern about reducing judicial discretion.
citizenportal.ai
September 29, 2026 at 3:05 AM
citizenptnewswa.bsky.social
The Washington bench is grappling with a pivotal question: Does the Houston-Sconiers ruling offer enough protection for juveniles facing felony murder charges, or is it time to reconsider the convictions themselves?

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#WA #CitizenPortal #ConstitutionalRights #SentencingReform
Bench probes whether Houston-Sconiers and sentencing discretion cure juvenile felony-murder concerns
Appellate argument included sustained discussion of Houston-Sconiers and whether judicial downward departures are an adequate safeguard for juveniles, or whether the felony-murder conviction itself must be vacated to protect juvenile defendants.
citizenportal.ai
September 25, 2026 at 4:50 AM
citizenptnewswa.bsky.social
A prosecutor argues that a five-year increase in sentencing post-retrial is rooted in new evidence rather than vindictiveness, raising key questions about judicial fairness.

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#WA #CitizenPortal #JudicialAccountability #GangViolence #SentencingReform
State defends longer post‑retrial sentence as based on evidence, not vindictiveness
The prosecutor told the appellate panel the higher sentence on retrial reflected additional gang evidence and a different judge's deference to juror findings, arguing there was no evidence of judicial vindictiveness despite a five‑year increase.
citizenportal.ai
September 21, 2026 at 4:52 AM
citizenptnewswa.bsky.social
In a pivotal case before the Washington Court of Appeals, defense counsel argues for a new trial, citing police misconduct and potential sentencing vindictiveness in a shocking murder case.

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#WA #CitizenPortal #JudicialProcess #LegalRights #SentencingReform
Court of Appeals hears State v. Chicas Carballo on evidence, counsel rights and sentence
At oral argument before Division 2, defense counsel asked the court to reverse or remand for resentencing, arguing improper police opinion in an interrogation, an overly restrictive closing‑argument ruling, and potential sentencing vindictiveness; the state urged affirmance, citing admissions and precedent.
citizenportal.ai
September 21, 2026 at 4:34 AM
endfelonymurder.bsky.social
The following article "A Nation Divided on Sentencing Reform" appeared on the Mass Incarceration and Other Bad Ideas Substack and is written by Keith Wallington, Senior Campaign Strategist at @sentencingproject.bsky.social
#sentencingreform
fmeproject.org/a-nation-div...
A Nation Divided on Sentencing Reform - Felony Murder Elimination Project
The following article "A Nation Divided on Sentencing Reform" appeared on the Mass Incarceration and Other Bad Ideas Substack and is written by Keith Wallington, Senior Campaign Strategist at The Sent...
fmeproject.org
September 17, 2026 at 9:02 PM
citizenptnewswa.bsky.social
The State admits a Colorado conviction was mistakenly counted, but they claim it didn't affect the sentencing—what does this mean for justice in Washington?

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#WA #CitizenPortal #LegalPrecedents #CriminalJustice #SentencingReform
State concedes inclusion of Colorado conviction but argues the error was harmless
The State acknowledged a Colorado conviction should not have been included in the offender score but argued its inclusion was harmless because it would not have changed the standard-range sentence; counsel cited Kilgore and Fleming in support.
citizenportal.ai
September 16, 2026 at 10:45 AM
citizenptnewstx.bsky.social
A Bexar County judge has sentenced Simon Acosta to six years in prison for multiple family-violence-related offenses, denying his request for probation despite his defense's pleas for leniency.

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#TX #CitizenPortal #SentencingReform #FamilyViolence #BexarCounty #CriminalJustice
Judge denies probation and sentences Simon Acosta to six years in prison
A Bexar County judge denied Simon Acosta’s request for deferred adjudication, citing prior family-violence convictions and sentencing him to six years with a $1,000 fine and an affirmative family-violence finding. The court ordered no contact with the complainant.
citizenportal.ai
September 1, 2026 at 9:54 PM
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Support the It Could Happen To You Mission To Establish A Commission On Prosecutorial Conduct in Every State In The Nation: www.paypal.com.

#FelonyMurder #RacialDisparities #SentencingReform #LifewithoutParole
August 28, 2026 at 5:42 PM
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Black Mother Jailed, White Mother Freed: The Two Faces Of America’s Rigged Justice System
thedemlabs.org/2026/04/24/a...
@gailwaldby.bsky.social #JusticeInBlackAndWhite #UnrigTheSystem #SentencingReform #EndRacialBias
Black Mother Jailed, White Mother Freed: The Two Faces Of America’s Rigged Justice System Black Mother Jailed, White Mother Freed: The Two Faces Of America’s Rigged Justice System Black Mother Jailed, White Mother Freed: The Two Faces Of America’s Rigged Justice System
April 24, 2026 at 11:47 PM